The US national team has unexpectedly adopted John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as an anthem. Following matches, players and tens of thousands of fans have joined together in a spirited singalong that has become a remarkable feature of their World Cup journey.
Even coach Mauricio Pochettino, originally from Argentina and now living in Spain, embraced this custom after the team’s 2-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, enthusiastically singing the lyrics alongside his squad.
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Bill Danoff, who co-wrote “Country Roads,” expressed to The Associated Press his pride that the US team has taken to the song, suggesting that Denver, who passed away in a plane crash in 1997, would have “loved” witnessing their latest performance.
Danoff, now an ardent soccer fan due to the song’s association with the sport, reminisced about the exhilarating match: “It was such an exciting game — they were down a player with a red card, yet they still came out on top.”
He continued, “I thought, ‘Gee, I wish John was still with us.’ John got really excited about such things, and it would have been a joy to watch that game with him.”
Mauricio Pochettino joined in the singing on Wednesday (Reuters)
The estate of John Denver also expressed their excitement to the AP, stating they were “thrilled” to see the song’s revival during the World Cup. They attribute its lasting popularity to a message that resonates beyond geographic boundaries, featuring “simple, clear, and relatable” lyrics that make it perfect for a group sing-along.
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“Everyone understands what ‘Take me home to the place I belong’ represents,” the estate affirmed, underlining, “It’s not exclusive to West Virginia.”
Despite its deep connection to West Virginia, Danoff revealed that the song’s true inspiration arose from a drive he took with his then-wife and co-writer Taffy Nivert along the scenic Clopper Road in Maryland, on their way to a family gathering in Gaithersburg, which is about 25 miles from the West Virginia border.
“I started pondering country roads, recalling my childhood in western New England, and the many small roads I traveled,” Danoff recounted in a 2020 interview with Washington’s WRC-TV, clarifying, “It had nothing to do with Maryland or any specific place.”
Although Danoff hadn’t spent much time in West Virginia, he was influenced by Appalachian music served up by Wheeling’s WWVA radio station, which he listened to as a child in Springfield, Massachusetts.
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Further inspiration came from West Virginia-born actor Chris Sarandon and members of a West Virginian commune who attended Danoff’s performances. Initially, he and Nivert had intended to offer the song to Johnny Cash.
However, after performing an incomplete version for their friend John Denver one evening, he convinced them to let him record it. Released in 1971, the track became Denver’s biggest hit and has remained an enduring cultural touchstone.
“I can’t fathom all the ways this song has resonated with people, but I’m grateful that I could articulate something meaningful for others,” Denver reflected years later.
The Athletic noted that FIFA officials strategically included “Country Roads” in their post-match playlist to cultivate a unifying atmosphere between the US team and their supporters.
USA has advanced to the last-16 of the World Cup (AP)
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” made its debut after the US’s second match, following a 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle. It quickly became a hit, both in the stadium and on social media, as fans joyfully participated while players waved and sang along.
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Midfielder Weston McKennie later conveyed, “You could really feel the connection with the fans.” However, the song’s reception was quieter on June 25 at the Los Angeles Stadium, where it played after a disappointing last-minute loss to Turkey that had little significance.
Nonetheless, it made a vibrant return on Wednesday evening in Santa Clara, California, after the US’s impressive victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, which ensured their progress to the round of 16.
Midfielders McKennie and Sebastian Berhalter were particularly lively, enthusiastically gesturing to fans across the field as they sang. Even in matches that did not involve the US team, “Country Roads” was frequently played during hydration breaks, often resulting in enthusiastic cheers from fans who had been booing the interruption just moments earlier.
This isn’t the first instance of “Country Roads” resonating with sports fans. It has long been cherished at West Virginia University football games, where Mountaineer fans typically sing it after home wins.
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The song has even reached the shores of Europe, with fans singing it during the NFL’s annual games in Germany since the inaugural Munich event in 2022, likely reflecting its popularity during Oktoberfest celebrations. In the English Premier League, fans of Manchester United supporters have been famously remixing the lyrics for years to celebrate their “home” at Old Trafford stadium.
While “Country Roads” stands as the unofficial anthem for the US team, the England national team has similarly embraced Oasis’ “Wonderwall” during this tournament.
After their 4-2 opening victory against Croatia, English players stood arm-in-arm, singing the 1995 classic — a moment that captain Harry Kane described as “one of my favorite moments ever in an England shirt.” This post-match singing has become a regular tradition after each game.