Throwing back to the week of June 7, 1975, we find John Denver atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy.’ The song hit #1 on the country chart the week before, making it one of six songs to top both charts that year (I covered another of them, Freddy Fender’s ‘Before the Next Teardrop Falls,’ just a couple of weeks ago).
This was Denver’s third #1 hit of four total in his career. All four came between 1973 and 1975. It also reached #1 in Canada and, go figure, Yugoslavia.
Denver wrote most of his hits, but this one was penned by John Martin Sommers, a member of Denver’s backup band.
Note: Happy Birthday to our own country boy, daily commenter Dana!
Well, life on the farm is kinda laid back
Ain’t much an old country boy like me can’t hack
It’s early to rise, early in the sack
Thank God I’m a country boy
Well, a simple kind of life never did me no harm
A-raisin’ me a family and working on the farm
My days are all filled with an easy country charm
Thank God I’m a country boy
[Chorus]
Well, I got me a fine wife, I got me ole fiddle
When the sun’s coming up, I got cakes on the griddle
And life ain’t nothin’ but a funny, funny riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy
[Verse 2]
When the work’s all done and the sun’s settin’ low
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow
The kids are asleep so I keep it kinda low
Thank God I’m a country boy
I’d play “Sally Goodin'” all day if I could
But the Lord and my wife wouldn’t take it very good
So I fiddle when I can and I work when I should
I thank God I’m a country boy
[Chorus]
Well, I got me a fine wife, I got me ole fiddle
When the sun’s coming up, I got cakes on the griddle
Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny, funny riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy, woo
[Verse 3]
Well, I wouldn’t trade my life for diamonds or jewels
I never was one of them money-hungry fools
I’d rather have my fiddle and my farmin’ tools
Thank God I’m a country boy
Yeah, city folk driving in a black limousine
A lot of sad people thinking that’s a-mighty keen
Well, son, let me tell you now exactly what I mean
I thank God I’m a country boy
[Chorus]
Well, I got me a fine wife, I got me ole fiddle
When the sun’s coming up, I got cakes on the griddle
And life ain’t nothin’ but a funny, funny riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy
[Verse 4]
Well, my fiddle was my daddy’s till the day he died
And he took me by the hand, held me close to his side
Said, “Live a good life, play my fiddle with pride
And thank God you’re a country boy”
Well, my daddy taught me young how to hunt and how to whittle
Taught me how to work, to play a tune on the fiddle
He taught me how to love and how to give just a little
And thank God I’m a country boy
[Chorus]
Well, I got me a fine wife, I got me ole fiddle
When the sun’s coming up, I got cakes on the griddle
Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny, funny riddle
Woo, thank God I’m a country boy, yes
Meet Me In Montauk 
Thank you!🥳
Happy Birthday Dana!