Exploring the timeless appeal of the song 'Country Roads' by John Denver, the chapter discusses the song's adherence to songwriting rules established by Irving Berlin, its globally recognized melody, and its influence on cultural perceptions of America, particularly in China. It also delves into the historical context of US-China relations, including Deng Xiaoping's pivotal visit to the US in 1979 and the impact of American Forces Radio on spreading American pop culture in Asia.
John Denver’s ode to West Virginia might be more popular abroad than it is in the United States. This Independence Day, we’re asking why.
This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdotter and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
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