When John Denver released “Rocky Mountain High” in 1972, he likely never imagined it would stir such controversy. The song, inspired by his time camping in the Colorado mountains with his wife, Annie Martell, captured his deep connection to nature and his joy in simple moments. Yet, despite its wholesome message, several radio stations banned the track, believing it referenced drug use. For John Denver, the misunderstanding struck deeply, as the song represented one of his most personal artistic expressions.

As reported by Parade, some broadcasters misinterpreted the lyric “friends around the campfire, everybody’s high” and refused to air the single. This came shortly after a 1971 FCC warning that discouraged radio stations from promoting songs perceived to glorify drugs. But in truth, Jo

See Full Page