About the song
“Annie’s Song,” also known as “Annie’s Song (You Fill Up My Senses),” is a heartfelt ballad written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter John Denver. Released in 1974 as the lead single from his eighth studio album, *Back Home Again*, the song quickly became one of Denver’s most beloved tracks. It was his second number-one hit in the United States, holding the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in July 1974, and also claimed the number one spot on the Easy Listening chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 25 song for that year.
The inspiration behind “Annie’s Song” is deeply personal. Denver wrote the song as an ode to his then-wife, Annie Martell Denver. The song was composed in July 1973 during a brief yet intense burst of creativity. Denver was on a ski lift to the top of Aspen Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, when the physical exhilaration of skiing down a challenging run combined with the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding nature moved him to think about his wife. Within just ten and a half minutes, the melody and lyrics came together, capturing the profound love and appreciation he felt for Annie. Annie Denver recalled that the song was written after a difficult period in their relationship, and its creation marked a time of renewed closeness and happiness between them. She described it as initially a love song that evolved into something akin to a prayer for John.
“Annie’s Song” not only resonated with American audiences but also found success abroad. It reached number one in the United Kingdom, marking Denver’s only major hit single in that country. Additionally, an instrumental version of the song performed by flautist James Galway became a significant hit in Britain four years later.
Critics have praised “Annie’s Song” for its emotional depth and romantic sincerity. Shawn M. Haney of AllMusic referred to it as an “ever so romantic tearjerker” and one of Denver’s finest achievements. Billboard lauded it as a “fine love song,” while Record World highlighted its “subtle and sweet” nature, noting its “continental flair.”
Milt Okun, Denver’s producer, once pointed out that the melody of “Annie’s Song” bore a resemblance to Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, Second Movement. Denver, after spending an hour at the piano, revised the melody to ensure its originality, retaining only the first five notes from Tchaikovsky’s composition.
The enduring popularity of “Annie’s Song” lies in its simple yet powerful expression of love. Denver’s ability to convey deep emotion through his music has made this song a timeless classic, cherished by listeners for its genuine and heartfelt message. “Annie’s Song” continues to be a testament to the beauty of love and the artistic genius of John Denver.
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Lyrics
You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again
Come, let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come, let me love you
Come love me again
Let me give my life to you
Come, let me love you
Come love me again
You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again