About The Song
“Calypso” is a song written by John Denver in 1975 as a tribute to Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his research ship, the Calypso. It was featured on Denver’s 1975 album Windsong. “Calypso” received significant airplay in 1975, helping it land at the second spot of Billboard Hot 100. When “I’m Sorry” fell out of the No. 1 position, “Calypso” started gaining even more airplay – as a result, Billboard listed it as the new A-side.
“Calypso” is one of John Denver’s songs he wrote by himself. It was inspired by his friend – French naval officer-explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau – as well as his research ship, which name is Calypso. Wanting to understand “the silent world” better to keep it well-protected, Cousteau sailed with Calypso worldwide for ocean conservation. Cousteau was a great believer that we must learn from the sea in order to live on the land. He was actually the first person to have researched pollution and its effects on the sea – in which he has received several honors.
As we all know, Denver cared so much about nature too, and this song is his tribute to Calypso and her captain for their valuable accomplishments. Interestingly, Denver penned the song’s chorus while he was aboard the Calypso.
However, he admitted that he spent months struggling to complete the song. In fact, he even once thought of totally abandoning it. Fortunately, ideas came crashing when he was skiing that he hurriedly got off the slopes, jumped in his car, and drove home to get the ideas out of his mind and finish the song.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Zoals de meesten van jullie misschien wel wetenBen ik een groot bewonderaar van John DenverEn op mijn laatste album ging mijn grote wens in vervulling en mocht ik postuumEen duet met hem opnemenEn dit liedje heet CalypsoTo sail on a dream on a crystal clear oceanTo ride on the crest of a wild raging stormTo work in the service of life and the livingIn search of the answers to questions unknownTo be part of the movement and part of the growingPart of beginning to understandAye, Calypso, the places you’ve been toThe things that you’ve shown usThe stories you tellAye, Calypso, I sing to your spiritThe men who have served youSo long and so wellOlole iiiii, ololo ululululuOlole iiii, ololo uuLike the dolphin who guides youYou bring us beside youTo light up the darkness and show us the wayFor though we are strangers in your silent worldTo live on the land, we must learn from the seaTo be true as the tideAnd free as the wind-swellJoyful and loving in letting it beAye, Calypso, the places you’ve been toThe things that you’ve shown usThe stories you tellAye, Calypso, I sing to your spiritThe men who have served youSo long and so wellAye, Calypso, the places you’ve been toThe things that you’ve shown usThe stories you tellAye, Calypso, I sing to your spiritThe men who have served youSo long and so wellOlole iiiii, ololo ululululuOlole iiii, ololo uuOkee mensen, laat je horen!Olole iiiii, ololo ululululuOlole iiii, ololo uu