Like a Sad Song - John Denver (1976) 1/10/22

If I asked you to name one of John Denver's #1 hits, you probably wouldn't come up with--or even remember--today's "Great Song of 1976."

"Like a Sad Song" was actually John's last #1 hit of the '70s, reaching the top of Billboard's Easy Listening Chart. It was also a hit in Canada, where it reached #4 on the matching chart and #8 on the Country Chart.

"Like a Sad Song" was quite a bit out of character for an artist who was known for his positive songs about love, nature, and/or both. But what makes the song "Great" is the way John sounds so melancholy--his voice even cracks a few times. You really feel the words as he sings--and that's a testament to his overall talent as singer, songwriter, and actor.

(Note: John only had one more #1 after this: 1982's "Shanghai Breezes." Even though it's from the '80s, I went ahead an added a link to it below.)

"Like a Sad Song" by John Denver: certainly sad...and certainly a "Great Song of 1976."

Shanghai Breezes (1982):