John Denver - Please, Daddy

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   John Denver recorded at least three studio versions of his holiday hit Please, Daddy. A live version recorded in 1996 was released on his Christmas Concert album in 2001. 

Although this song is often cited as one of the worst Christmas songs of all time, the unfortunate reality is that it struck a serious chord with many people that suffer through the holiday season with an alcohol-addicted parent. Written by Bill Danoff and his then-wife Taffy Nivert, that duo also composed John's hit "Take Me Home Country Roads." Both were also members of the Starland Vocal Band.

For the record John made three studio recordings:

1) Single version 2:54 [1973] - The first version I recall hearing was the RCA single released for the 1973 Christmas season. John sang a "straight" vocal that was not as lighthearted as some other renditions. Acoustic guitar, piano and harmonica were more prominent in the mix. Note that bells are heard during the cold/fade ending. 

The RCA 45 label incorrectly states that it is from John's Farewell Andromeda album although it is in fact a different recording. To my knowledge this single version has never been released on CD or digitally. 

Thanks to The45Prof for this excellent vinyl dub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mHRqxU017s

2) Farewell Andromeda album 2:53 [1973] Similar to the single version arrangement but clearly a different take. John has different inflections on some of the lyrics, the steel guitar is a bit more prominent at times and it has a different vocal chorus mix than the single version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a86GTtI3ZOc&list=RDa86GTtI3ZOc&start_radio=1

3) Rocky Mountain Christmas album 2:34 [1975] The most lighthearted of the three studio recordings. A bit faster tempo features a piano, dobro & mandolin rather than the steel guitar. No vocal chorus on this version.
The Rocky Mountain Christmas version seems to be the most common studio version that has been reissued on CD comps. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3DQdGMI2vo&list=RDC3DQdGMI2vo&start_radio=1

My question is has anyone found the 45 single version on any CD released somewhere in the world? 

With so many John Denver reissues and downloads it's surprising and unfortunate that this single version from 52 years ago continues to remain unavailable today.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
CountryPD Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 29 July 2023 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote CountryPD Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: John Denver - Please, Daddy Posted: 3 hours 1 minutes ago at 11:24am
	John Denver recorded at least three studio versions of his holiday hit Please, Daddy. A live version recorded in 1996 was released on his Christmas Concert album in 2001. Although this song is often cited as one of the worst Christmas songs of all time, the unfortunate reality is that it struck a serious chord with many people that suffer through the holiday season with an alcohol-addicted parent. Written by Bill Danoff and his then-wife Taffy Nivert, that duo also composed John's hit "Take Me Home Country Roads." Both were also members of the Starland Vocal Band. For the record John made three studio recordings: 1) Single version 2:54 [1973] - The first version I recall hearing was the RCA single released for the 1973 Christmas season. John sang a "straight" vocal that was not as lighthearted as some other renditions. Acoustic guitar, piano and harmonica were more prominent in the mix. Note that bells are heard during the cold/fade ending. The RCA 45 label incorrectly states that it is from John's Farewell Andromeda album although it is in fact a different recording. To my knowledge this single version has never been released on CD or digitally. Thanks to The45Prof for this excellent vinyl dub https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mHRqxU017s 2) Farewell Andromeda album 2:53 [1973] Similar to the single version arrangement but clearly a different take. John has different inflections on some of the lyrics, the steel guitar is a bit more prominent at times and it has a different vocal chorus mix than the single version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a86GTtI3ZOc&list=RDa86GTtI3ZOc&start_radio=1 3) Rocky Mountain Christmas album 2:34 [1975] The most lighthearted of the three studio recordings. A bit faster tempo features a piano, dobro & mandolin rather than the steel guitar. No vocal chorus on this version. The Rocky Mountain Christmas version seems to be the most common studio version that has been reissued on CD comps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3DQdGMI2vo&list=RDC3DQdGMI2vo&start_radio=1 My question is has anyone found the 45 single version on any CD released somewhere in the world? With so many John Denver reissues and downloads it's surprising and unfortunate that this single version from 52 years ago continues to remain unavailable today.

LunarLaugh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 13 February 2020 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 80	Post Options Post Reply Quote LunarLaugh Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 2 hours 53 minutes ago at 11:32am
	I never knew the single release was a different recording! I have only heard the Rocky Mountain Christmas LP version. Alan Jackson did a really great rendition on his Honky Tonk Christmas album, by the way.
	Listen to The Lunar Laugh!