Take Me Home, Country Roads

Perhaps Oktoberfest's most surprising anthem, John Denver's 1971 ode to West Virginia has become as integral as any German song. To witness ten thousand Germans passionately belting "West Virginia, mountain mama" creates a surreal, unforgettable experience. The song's adoption stems from multiple factors: its incredibly singable (shout-able) chorus, the 2001 Eurodance cover by Hermes House Band that introduced it to a new generation, and its universal theme of Heimat (homeland) that transcends specific geography. Interestingly, John Denver (born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.) was of German heritage. The song proves music's power to unite across cultural boundaries - at Oktoberfest, it's sung with more fervor than many traditional German songs, demonstrating that the festival's soundtrack is truly global.