Calypso by John Denver

Album: Windsong (1975)

Charted: 2

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This song is about the ship Calypso, which was bought by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and converted to an oceanographic ship. Cousteau wanted to understand "The silent world" better, in order to protect it. "To live on the land we must learn from the sea" - Cousteau was the first to do research on pollution and its effects on the sea and received many honors for his accomplishments. John Denver cared deeply about nature and this song was a tribute to both Calypso and her captain and their valuable work.
Denver wrote the chorus to this song when he was on board the Calypso. He struggled to complete the song, spending months trying to write classical-sounding verses to a sea shanty chorus. He was about to abandon the song when he got the idea for the words when he was skiing. Denver got off the slopes quick and jumped in his Jeep, where he drove home to get his ideas on paper and complete the song.
"Calypso" has an odd chart history that made kind of a mess in Billboard's records. It was released as the B-side of the single "I'm Sorry," which went to #1 on the Hot 100 on September 27, 1975. But a lot of radio stations were playing "Calypso," not "I'm Sorry," so it was clear that many listeners were buying the single for the B-side. On October 11, Billboard flipped the A-side designation to "Calypso," making it an instant chart hit, falling in at #2 behind "Bad Blood" by Neil Sedaka.
Milt Okun, who was Denver's producer, wrote about this song in the John Denver Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits album: "A great song and, I like to think, great record too. 'Calypso' was John's reaction to his time with Jacques Cousteau. That experience really fired up John's passions and emotions. John believed desperately in Jacques and his crusade to clean up the oceans. John loved singing the song in concert. We had an especially fantastic arrangement by Lee Holdridge. John loved the song too - 'Calypso' generally closed the show."

Comments: 13

Neal from San DiegoI remember watching the special with John Denver on the Calypso. It was so cool to watch the end of it with "Calypso" playing in the background! Such a great childhood memory!
Lzalewski from PaThis song still stirs my heart and soul. Even after 40 years. By far his best. Does anyone know if the Cousteau Foundation whatever still receives royalties from this tune?
Bruce from San Jose, Calif.I was at Monterrey Bay in Calif., and I went on a whale watching cruise...it was good sized ship (70-80 footer) , and it took about 30 mins or so to sail out to the area where the whales were frolicking and feeding...

While at full speed on the ship heading out to sea to the whale watching area, I decided to go out on the deck, right to the front of the bow, standing resolutely despite the pitching deck, with my face in the bracing wind and sea spray (like that scene in the movie Titanic where they stiod at the bow tip —“I’m king of tge world!”) with my iPod playing Calypso in my ears as I took all that scenery in....man, the song really came alive for me at that moment!
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 10th 1975, "I'm Sorry" b/w "Calypso" by John Denver entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #64; and on September 21st, 1975 it peaked at #1 {for 1 week} and spent 18 weeks on the Top 100...And on November 2nd, 1975 it also reached #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart...It also peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} on September 14th, 1975 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...To top it off, it reached #1 on the Canadian RPM 100 chart and the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart...R.I.P. Mr. Denver, born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., {1943 - 1997}.
Tina from Springfield, IlI remember seeing John Denver in an interview where he talked about only having the chorus of the song and struggling with the verses. Then one day the rest all came pouring out. Very cool.
Paul from Detroit, MiThis song hit #1 according to a recent AT 40 count dowwn I listened to on satellite radio. Casey said so!
Sabrina from Corvallis, OrI love, love LOVE this song! it is the best in JD's entire catalogue in my opinion. Know what's really awesome though? The Calypso is being restored and will sail again according to what I saw at the Cousteau society's website1
Michael from Woodbridge, VaMany years ago Jacques-Yves-Cousteau and the Calypso where anchored at Mount Vernon (George Washington's home) on the Potomac River in Virginia during the week of Cousteau's birthday. John Denver flew out to sing "Calypso" for Cousteau's birthday.
Robert from San Francisco, CaRoyalties for this song go to the Jacques-Yves-Cousteau foundation.
Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesOne of the best he ever recorded. Unbelievable, unearthly sound.
Muralidhar from Chennai, IndiaI simply love this song.It is like a fresh rose blooming in the morning.John Denver brings out the spirit of the sailor and the sea in a most honest fashion.This song also gives you a feeling that when you do what you love , you will become the best of the best.
Leya Qwest from Anchorage, AkI love John's yodeling! The abrupt alernating changes to the falsetto really make this tune a cult hit, consequently adding an uber-awesome dimension to the Denver mystique.
Ryan from Chattanooga, TnIt is a very sweet song, that really makes me feel good, a nice melody. Two thumbs up!

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