John Denver Posthumously Debuts On A Billboard Chart

Many years after his death, John Denver’s music remains incredibly important to countless people all around the world. His most famous single is back in the spotlight after it was featured in a commercial that aired during the Super Bowl—one that seemed to rise above many other advertisements and become something much more meaningful.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” appears on a pair of Billboard charts this week. As it reappears on one, it debuts on another, earning the late artist a very special win.

This frame, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” blasts back onto the Country Digital Song Sales chart at No. 5. That’s the tune’s highest placement ever on Billboard’s ranking of the bestselling country-only tracks throughout the U.S.

Denver’s tune, which also credits Fat City, debuted on the Country Digital Song Sales ranking back in October 2016. In the years since, it has spent 15 frames rising and falling onto the purchase-only tally, and it only just now reaches its best showing.

Luminate reports that in the past tracking week, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” sold 2,100 copies throughout the U.S. That’s just barely enough to place it on the all-style Digital Song Sales chart. Denver posthumously reaches that list at No. 25, in last place.

Of course, the Digital Song Sales chart didn’t exist during Denver’s lifetime, as fans could not purchase tunes via platforms like Amazon and iTunes, as the internet had not yet even been invented. As such, the country and rock musician earns his first appearance on the competitive tally posthumously.

The week before the Super Bowl, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” sold 440 copies in America. Its sales sum grew by 378% from one frame to the next, thanks almost entirely to the advertisement. Rocket Mortgage licensed the classic for its Super Bowl ad, which aired during the game. The commercial encouraged those in attendance at the stadium to croon along to the familiar tune, which most people likely knew. The idea was that it would unify two groups of people, as both Eagles and Chiefs fans could come together and sing—at least for a moment.