Introduction:

“I’d like to dedicate this song to Jimmy Carter, in the hopes that perhaps a time of righteousness and dignity may now be upon us.” Paul Simon had been handpicked alongside Aretha Franklin to perform in celebration of President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. Jimmy Carter, who turns 100 this October, always had an interest in a wide array of music, and an instinctual understanding about the power of music with regards to politics. This 8-part series will explore the connection between music and politics, beginning with Jimmy Carter’s introduction of John Denver to then Vice Premier of China Deng.

Chapter 1: When Jimmy Carter Introduced John Denver to Deng Xiaoping

When Deng Xiaoping succeeded Chairman Mao as China’s ruler, western leaders like Carter saw an opportunity for cooperation. Unlike Mao, Deng had already signaled a new open mindedness towards the West, especially regarding economic affairs. In 1979, Deng became the first Chinese leader to officially visit the United States, a tour which included a night of musical and cultural performances to introduce Deng to America. On a night starring everybody from the Harlem Globetrotters to the Broadway actors of “Eubie,” the most consequential moment was Deng’s introduction to John Denver. After performing his hit, “Rocky Mountain High,” a song about the rural beauty of the mountains of Colorado, Denver said to the Vice Premier, “it is with true love that we extend our very best wishes to you and your people on your new long march toward modernization in this century.” From that moment on, John Denver would become one of the most influential Americans in China.

Much of the music Asia heard from America came through military radio. Naturally, DJs were careful not to play anything even remotely provocative, like Elton John or Marvin Gaye. Instead, it was “softer” artists like John Denver and Karen Carpenter that became part of the standard airplay. Denver’s “Country Roads” in particular is one of the most recognized in China in part because it’s “clean” enough to be sung by Christian Asians, says Professor Karen Tongson. From 1979 on, John Denver’s message of a clean, serene rural America strongly influenced Asian listeners. Specifically, Denver himself stated, “the Chinese are more familiar with me than with any other Western artist.”

Nonetheless, the limits of what music can do for peace were shown at Tiananmen square. Just four years before the infamous massacre in 1989, John Denver had been working overtime to plan a tour of China, specifically requesting to perform at a recognizably Chinese landmark. Among the venues discussed were the likes of the Great Wall, but Denver dreamed of one specific venue: the Tiananmen square. “There would be a million people in Tiananmen square,” Denver imagined, “and there I would be at the rostrum, starting a concert.” His dream was never realized. Instead, by 1989, “take me home, country roads” was being sung by democracy protestors as Denver’s old friend Deng Xiaoping ordered tanks in to suppress them.