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About the song
John Denver’s Sweet Surrender. A song that perhaps doesn’t get the fanfare it deserves nestled amongst Denver’s most iconic tunes, but a gem nonetheless for those who delve a little deeper into his vast catalogue. Released in 1974, Sweet Surrender originally found its home on the album Back Home Again.
However, it enjoyed a resurgence a year later when it was chosen as the lead single for the highly successful concert album An Evening with John Denver. This shift in focus speaks volumes about the song’s resonance with audiences.
Denver, a master storyteller through song, weaves a poignant narrative in Sweet Surrender. The opening lines paint a vivid picture: “Lost and alone on some forgotten highway / Traveled by many, remembered by few.”
We’re immediately thrust into the world of a wanderer, someone searching for meaning and purpose. This theme of existential exploration was a recurring one in Denver’s work, and Sweet Surrender exemplifies his ability to capture that yearning with a relatable simplicity.
The melody itself is a delightful blend of folk and country influences, perfectly suited to Denver’s signature warm vocals. There’s a gentle optimism that permeates the song, even as the lyrics touch on feelings of uncertainty. The lines “Lookin’ for somethin’ that I can believe in / Lookin’ for somethin’ that I’d like to do with my life” resonate with anyone who’s ever grappled with finding their place in the world.
Sweet Surrender doesn’t offer easy answers. There’s no grand revelation or destination reached by the song’s end. Instead, Denver offers a comforting message of embracing the journey itself. The chorus, with its soaring refrain of “Sweet surrender, comin’ ’round the bend,” suggests a willingness to let go of anxieties and trust the path ahead. It’s a sentiment that’s particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced world, a gentle nudge to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and find solace in the unknown.
Sweet Surrender may not be a chart-topping hit, but it stands as a testament to John Denver’s enduring artistry. It’s a song that resonates with the complexities of life’s journey, offering a simple yet profound message of acceptance and hope. So, the next time you delve into Denver’s discography, don’t overlook this hidden gem.
Sweet Surrender is a song waiting to be rediscovered, a testament to the enduring power of music to connect with the human spirit’s search for meaning.
Video
Lyrics
“Sweet Surrender”
Lost and alone on some forgotten highway, traveled by many, remembered by few.
Looking for something that I can believe in,
looking for something that I’d like to do with my life.
There’s nothing behind me and nothing that ties me to
something that might have been true yesterday.
Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more than enough
To just be here today, and I don’t know what the future is holding in store,
I don’t know where I’m going, I’m not sure where I’ve been.
There’s a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me,
my life is worth the living, I don’t need to see the end.
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care,
like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air.
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care,
like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air.
Lost and alone on some forgotten highway, traveled by many, remembered by few.
Looking for something that I can believe in,
looking for something that I’d like to do with my life.
There’s nothing behind me and nothing that ties me to
something that might have been true yesterday.
Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more than enough
To just be here today, and I don’t know what the future is holding in store,
I don’t know where I’m going, I’m not sure where I’ve been.
There’s a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me,
my life is worth the living, I don’t need to see the end.
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care,
like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air.
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care,
like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air.
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care,
like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air.