BEAUTIFUL!| FIRST TIME HEARING Michael Martin Murphey - Wildfire REACTION

[@top40researcher31]

The lyrics are those of a homesteader telling the story of a young Nebraska woman said to have died searching for her escaped pony, "Wildfire", during a blizzard. The homesteader finds himself in a similar situation, doomed in an early winter storm. A hoot owl has perched outside of his window for six days, and the homesteader believes the owl is a sign that the ghost of the young woman is calling for him. He hopes to join her (presumably in heaven) and spend eternity riding Wildfire with her, leaving the difficulties of earthly life behind. The song has a piano intro and outro which was edited out for radio. The introduction is based on a piece (Prelude in D-flat, Op. 11 No. 15) by the Russian classical composer Alexander Scriabin. Murphey and Cansler co-wrote "Wildfire" in 1968, shortly after Murphey emerged as a solo artist. Earlier in the decade he had been part of a duo known as the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1968 with singer-songwriter Boomer Castleman. They appeared and performed in an episode of the TV sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. When Murphey rerecorded "Wildfire" for a new album in 1997, he was quoted by Billboard as saying that what many consider his signature song "broke my career wide open and, on some level, still keeps it fresh. Because that song appeals to kids, and always has, it's kept my career fresh." In a 2008 interview, Murphey talked about the origins of the song and the context in which it was written. He was a third-year student at UCLA, working on a concept album for Kenny Rogers (The Ballad of Calico). The work was demanding, sometimes taking more than 20 hours a day. One night, he dreamed the song in its totality, writing it up in a few hours the next morning. He believes the song came to him from a story his grandfather told him when he was a little boy - a prominent Native American legend about a ghost horse. Murphey did not have a horse named Wildfire until a few years before the interview, when he gave that name to a palomino mare. Released in February 1975 as the album's lead single, "Wildfire" became Murphey's highest-charting pop hit in the United States. The somber story song hit No. 2 in Cash Box and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June 1975. In addition, it hit the top position of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, displacing "Love Will Keep Us Together". The single continued to sell, eventually receiving platinum certification from the RIAA, signifying sales of over two million US copies. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.

[@carlscribner]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire_(Michael_Martin_Murphey_song)

[@afordhere75126]

I'm partial to his version of Bury Me Not. It was a staple in my work before I went to college (in my 30s)

[@kirkhall2099]

Thanks. That was a interesting read.

[@bryanburton6087]

I agree with Kirk. Thanks for posting this. Interesting.

[@denisemeredith2436]

Thanks for posting this, I have always loved the song but never knew how it came about.

[@TT-js4jn]

Michael was my neighbor in the mountains in Colorado and the guy playing that beautiful piano and synthesizer was a very good friend of mine Jac Murphy. He also was my neighbor. No relation to Michael. We just all lived up there when they did that album and it was a big hit. Super nice guys both of them. Very talented ! Unfortunately Jac took his own life, but Michael is still doing his thing beautifully. I used to love riding over to Jac's house just down the road from the KZ Ranch where I lived, and listening to him play the piano . He had a request from the Queen of England to come play for him he was so good. He even put out his own album before he died. Those were some very special days in my life in the 70s and I'll never forget them..I miss you Jac.😔 R.I.P.💖

[@walteranderson9224]

thank you for sharing your memories with us!!

[@BG-xx7yu]

Wow, glad to know this. Thank you for sharing! So sorry to hear Jack Murphy took his life. I love his intro and conclusion of this song the best of all time; he had so much heart, feeling,, and soul in his music, a transcending, spiritual experience listening to him play.

[@drivebybodypierce]

That’s such a great story! Can’t imagine how cool that neighborhood was to live in back then.

[@TristanandIsolt]

Tragic Story about Jac, but it must have been crazy fun getting together with those guys.

[@kellyreiterman]

As I kid, I cried every time I heard this song and it happened again just now. I haven't heard this song in decades.

[@paul8926]

Yes, this song is a tearjerker 😥

[@jayalexander3356]

Me too.

[@ivorb8835]

@@jayalexander3356 This song, Shannon by Henry Gross & Rocky by Austin Roberts......have the tissues ready to wipe the tears away

[@stevemadrid6522]

My sister can't even listen to this song without crying. Maybe I cry a little, too.

[@williamstreet4304]

As a kid.... I still do. Then I have to sit and think. Wipe tears. And wish I knew someone who could touch me as deeply as the woman who rode Wildfire.

[@kelleychilton2524]

Some Native Americans believe that an owl hooting outside your bedroom window is a sign that death is coming.

[@bethbagley3051]

It also means that that could be a guardian angel watching over you at the El happens to get kind of freaked out and comes out during the daytime in lands anywhere near your front porch or on your screen, I have looked it up and it could mean your guardian angel is there with you I choose to look at it that way!

[@marygraff6383]

For the past six years there have been two owls who have chosen our trees to spend time giving birth and caring for their babies. How they know exactly where to return remains a mystery. I hope it's because we offer a safe place to rest for a few weeks. They just returned about a week ago.❤

[@theodoreritola7641]

I WELCOME DEATH IM GOING TO BE WITH JESUS CHRIST 4 EVER I CANT WAIT

[@edc8879]

I’m a 58 year old man and still get goosebumps hearing this ✌🏻💙🙏🏻

[@wandayoung5904]

Me too my friend and I'm a little younger than you 😊

[@karenstoner8382]

Me too

[@earlobannion4481]

I am Native American and this song hits close to my roots yes I almost cried myself.

[@larrymixer144]

If you like this so g by Michael you would probably enjoy his song "Jaronimo's Cadillac ". It's a modernistic take of what they did to Jeronimo and the First Nations.

[@theodoreritola7641]

Se if you do this time .

[@kylekerwin4993]

It’s time for crying again. This song is beautiful and heartbreaking every time I hear it.

[@bitfenix90]

EVERY TIME. I hardly ever listen to it because, "Well, I can't afford to tear up at this time - !" I just imagine that young girl with her own pony... Wildfire... and her loss of a lifetime at that age.

[@tomcollens4621]

It’s a classic because Michael Martin Murphy did it right. No one else.

[@scottmelligan1281]

46 years after first hearing it I have the same reaction: visceral. Actually, at my age I do not try so hard to hide the poignant emotions this song stirs.

[@user-ii4zf5iq3t]

This. My horse died in 1974. 😭🙇🏻‍♀️

[@shyman99]

You didn't hear this 46 years ago because this is an inferior re-recording from years later that they played instead of the original. Unfortunately, Jay & Amber have no knowledge of old music to know when they have been duped.

[@brianmallen8887]

True. Didn't that original version just get you in a weak place? Man, those 70,s ballads. They just kept coming, like a barage of George Forman musical genius knockout punches.

[@selmagalev2095]

This song makes me cry every time. Especially being a horse owner, I identify so much with it. I couldn't imagine my Dragon doing this and getting lost in a blizzard. He did get out once and when I called him, thankfully, he came running back. It was in the snow but he went only as far as my neighbor's house. LOL. I have a video posted. It's actually beautiful seeing him running towards me, then slow down while crossing the street and take off past me and back into his pasture.

[@walkwith-faith482]

Oh my stars I'm a African american woman I was little kid when this song came out I love this song so much....I'm happy to see youtubers doing reactions to these songs and seeing young ones singing them in covers.

[@trevorsongary3431]

I don't know who suggested this song, but whoever it was.....THANK YOU!!! There are a lot of beautiful songs out there from many different genres and they are sung by very talented people....but this song has got to be one of the top three most beautifully performed and written songs of the 20th Century!! There are no words to describe it or the emotions it stirs in almost everyone that hears it.

[@bravesirrobin1793]

Whenever I hear this song I'm instantly drifted back to the 70's, what an amazing decade it was.

[@mikeharvey3551]

The 70's was the ultimate decade for the "Singer/Songwriter" there is just too many to name

[@alaninohio2]

This was my little sister's favorite song. I used to play it on air for her as a DJ on a Top 40 AM Station in KY. I would play it when I could before she passed from liver disease in 1985 at age 17.

[@theodoreritola7641]

My older sister Dawna loves Horses as well .we grew up in the 70s in Kodiak Alaska shes doing good still lives in the same town as me in Seaside Oregon where she said part of the movie BLACK STALLION Was filmed ,Im sorry for your loss ,Have a great day tomorrow GOD bless you,🐎.

[@fishouttawtr]

Man, this song always got me as a child, such a beautiful intro and song!

[@DavidGlover-s7x]

Beautiful.

[@rhondaharmon724]

This song is like Christopher Cross Sailing. It just is so smooth and just so beautiful and calming.

[@westyw.4235]

What a perfect comparison! Both masterpieces of audio bliss =)

[@johnholzhey8149]

Also sad.

[@winykittygirl]

Beautiful ❤

[@RMBlake007]

You are so right...they both evoke an easy, peaceful feeling...but with a mysterious edge too. Don't know if I've heard a reaction video to any of Christopher Cross songs...

[@timtravasos2742]

Yes, indeed

[@christopherpollak7448]

I believe this song came out in 1975. Sounds just as beautiful today.

[@wls64]

i think that melody was a very clean guitar... by the sound. I am almost 60 and this song was very popular back in the day.

[@oakhillfound847]

The horse is Wildfire. One of the best country rock ballads of all time. Used to play the entire album cut when I was a disc jockey.

[@patrick3926]

Love the long version

[@michaeldubya]

It was a staple on the gone but not forgotten KLOL, “Run Away Radio” in Houston.

[@thomastimlin1724]

Since I heard it on pop radio in 1975 or so, I never considered this a completely country song, but a brilliant story telling piece for everyone and not just the one genre.

[@bobhowe4476]

@TimeSentinel That’s beautiful. When I was in my Mother’s womb back in 1964, I remember the combination of being surrounded by amniotic fluid and the voice of Michael Martin Murphy singing Wildfire over the airwaves gave me a warm feeling all over.

[@lawrencecarver4233]

Where were you a DJ I might have talked to you on the phone I would always call radio stations for song request or contest to win concert tickets. What station did you play work for I've been to 40 states before 1982.

[@dipaknadkarni62]

I remember this song so well in my teenage years. Beautiful song.

[@sandymyers5002]

I love this song. Never realized as a kid listening how sad it is. They all died even the horse DIED! Still one of my favs!

[@brettcurtis5710]

One of the most ethereal and beautful songs ever written! Once heard - never forgotten!!

[@harrybrumfield8763]

I was 21 when I first heard this song. No song before or since has evoked such an emotional response in me. This might be the greatest song I have ever heard. When I hear that opening piano, I know I need to find somewhere to sit, as my emotions still move me greatly. I can't explain it, it just happens, even 47 years later!

[@tomschmitz261]

I hear you, this song has made me bawl since I was a little boy and now all these decades later... every time!...

[@remmymafia3889]

you're 69?

[@kimcutts6153]

Never heard the song nor the singer, but my my, was it beautiful. 🎼❤🐎

[@timcoffin6350]

My first concert as a teen was Seals and Crofts and the warmup act was Michael Murphy who had just released Wildfire..... Tremendous concert....

[@maryohara1224]

Seals and Croft, wow. They really need to hear Diamond Girl and Summer Breeze. Also, Summer Breeze by the Isley Brothers is great too

[@jonp4846]

Mine was those two acts along with Harry Chapin as well. Great gig! Best $4.75 I ever spent!

[@wildlifeman6365]

For those of us who own or have owned horses in our lives, this song takes on a very special meaning. The memories of our great companions of the past flood flood back as we look forward to the time when we will see them again.

[@oakhillfound847]

John Denver was a contemporary of Michael and contributed harmony vocals to Swans against the Sun. Michael is still touring and is considereda premier cowboy singer and his son is following in his bootsteps.

[@roncypert8255]

My nephew, an amazing guitarist by the way, has hung out and jammed with them. He described them as very humble and down to earth

[@dp67dl93]

They also sang Mansion On The Hill together on that same album. John Denver recorded "Boy From The Country" one of my favourite Michael Murphey songs.

[@midnightfury9001]

Swans Against the Sun is an amazing album. That and Flowing Free Forever are my favorites. ♥️

[@dp67dl93]

@@midnightfury9001 I couldn't agree more with you. Swans Against The Sun is a fantastic album. Willie Nelson sings with Michael on this album also.

[@rosemary702001]

Loved reading all these comments. I’m a contemporary of these singers and adored John Denver so followed him more closely. However, this is one of my favorite story songs of the era. It was chill music in those days. Still makes me relax and remember!

[@kyle47922]

This song will make you cry.

[@carlrapson9806]

Beautiful song, thanks for reacting to it. Another great Michael Martin Murphey song is "What's Forever For."

[@roncypert8255]

@Carl Rapson Yes! I was going to suggest the same song!

[@Rogn1]

I love that song. His voice is just great for that song.

[@ChicagoDB]

One of my favorites.

[@christinegreen3974]

Love that song!

[@tomcollens4621]

I so love this song. I can totally lose myself in it.

[@TheEmmettq]

This was my first wife’s favorite song. She loved it so much.

[@LouisLarsen-vp8oc]

I'm a65 years heard this song when much younger man still feels like it's the first time when ever I hear it 😅

[@elizabethfranco1284]

A very beautiful and popular song played on the radio a lot. Always made me cry when I was a child. The story behind the song is about a homesteader expressing his disillusionment with farming or sodbustting .As a means of escape he recalls a story he heard about a woman and her pony Wildfire

[@bonniespruin6369]

It made me cry as a child too and hearing it now is still bringing tears to my eyes and sadness to my heart. It's beautiful but so hard to listen to.

[@SuperSusieBell]

Makes me cry too.

[@pegatheetoo1437]

His wife or girlfriend ...

[@timandmonica]

I was 4-years old when this came out. I remember crying as well. You could feel the authenticity, frailty, and immediacy in his original performance, like he just spontaneously wrote it and we're hearing him sing it as he's feeling those emotions in real-time. I didn't understand everything about it but I could feel it. But I'm a guy and I'm not supposed to cry. So I didn't cry after all. (But if I did, I was only a four-year old--practically a baby.) (But it doesn't matter because boys should be able to cry, whether they're 4 or 52, so there!)

[@johnandrosannemarquardt865]

Michael Martin Murphey is my boss and friend. He told me this song came to him in a dream. I had a dream that he would come to WI to live and that some day I would work for him, and they both came true!

[@theodoreritola7641]

Thats fantasic Jesus Christ BLESSED you realy good,😀

[@RetiredSailor60]

I saw Michael Martin Murphy and Patty Loveless in 1988 in San Diego.

[@Neuroguy1]

There is an extended version of this taped at his performance. The few instruments that play are magnificent.

[@deniseellyson3742]

This is one of a handful of songs from my childhood that always made me cry when it came on the radio.

[@melanieespinoza4193]

I am 50 years old this month and remember the exact moment I heard this song. I was 5 and my mom was getting gas. I was waiting in the car and this song came on, by the time my mom got back into the car I was bawling. She was like, 'What is wrong?!?!" and I wailed, 'the horse DIED!!!!" it was the first song that made me feel an emotion other than happiness and I never forgot that moment. (my mom was clueless to what I was talking about, BTW, so that was a fun ride home according to her 😁)

[@Shrykespeare]

Wow, this takes me back. You don't get much more "soft rock" than this song. I had actually completely forgot who sang this! MMM only had a handful of hits in the US, and this was the biggest. His others include "Carolina in the Pines", "Renegade" and "Geronimo's Cadillac". As for the story behind the song, here's what Wiki says - The lyrics are those of a homesteader telling the story of a young Nebraska woman said to have died searching for her escaped pony, "Wildfire", during a blizzard. The homesteader finds himself in a similar situation, doomed in an early winter storm. A hoot owl has perched outside of his window for six days, and the homesteader believes the owl is a sign that the ghost of the young woman is calling for him. He hopes to join her (presumably in heaven) and spend eternity riding Wildfire with her, leaving the difficulties of earthly life behind.

[@johncarroll9489]

I've heard his say that the song came to him in a dream.

[@bgallagher8129]

I know that you probably picked the studio version, but you missed an opportunity to see him do a live version. He begins by telling the audience how he came to write the song and then there is an" extended" piano intro that is amazing, and it ends with the same extended piano solo probably at least twice as long as this version ,and then Michael does an amazing guitar rift that mimics those tinkling high piano notes........ Oh, and then Michael himself is one handsome man.

[@stevebengel1346]

@@bgallagher8129 this isn't even the hit version, this is definitely a newer performance, especially the vocals because this doesn't sound anything like the radio or album version

[@SuperMoedogg]

A backstory if you didn't know. Michael Martin Murphey had a dream about this and woke up and wrote the lyrics about a mystical horse. In the story about him knowing that his time had come there used to be a saying that I heard the owl call my name and the more the owl called your name the closer it was time for you to pass.

[@CB-gr1uk]

Beautiful song. It was always playing on the radio!

[@RLDavisHays]

As a child who loved horses, this song meant so much to me. So haunting ❤️💔. So glad you listened and shared. 😭

[@charlesburris6314]

Glad you got the opening piano. Some versions don't include it. Haunting song, lyrically. Have a great day!

[@canonfodder2068]

Agree! I have been listening to a live version of this available on KZbin that has the expanded keyboard bars. It is stellar!

[@Shrykespeare]

You are right. They cut the piano intro and outro for radio when it was released. This version is far better.

[@kimberlinibambini1988]

Agreed!

[@bgallagher8129]

And then Michael does that guitar rift that mimics the tinkling piano keys. That live version is unique.

[@buckbuchanan4902]

This was my favorite song as a young kid. It made me cry that her horse ran off and she died trying to find it in the freezing cold. To this day, it still brings tears to my eyes every time. So hauntingly beautiful! The moment Jay paused the video and said "you know who I could imagine singing this song", I said John Denver, just before he did. You are so right that this song would be right down his alley and he would do an amazing job with it. John Denver was one of the greatest musical talents ever, and such a beautiful soul and class act.

[@laurogarza4953]

I'm so glad y'all have discovered Michael Martin Murphey. He's a great Western singer who is still touring. He, like Paul Davis, Dan Seals (EnglandDanandJohnFordColey), grew up in Country and Western music and made their initial success in that genre but achieve great success performing popular music during the 1970s and 80s WITHOUT their hats. Each was a great musician and vocalist and went on to enjoy a number of great romantic hit songs but finally got to do what they liked later int he 80s with their hats. Dan Seals recorded a hit album of country and western songs including "Meet Me in Montana" with Marie Osmond. Paul Davis' "Ride 'em Cowboy" was a hit on Country and Western radio before, in 1980, radio split off from Western music, or "C & W" as we called it then, which is only played on special radio shows on Saturnday evenings but is still available and growing on streaming networks. I suggest Murphey's other 1980s romantic hit, "What's Forever For," and his more recent western standards like "Tying knots in the Devil's Tail," and "Cowboy Logic."

[@williamferris7134]

Dan (England Dan and John Ford Coley) was the brother of Jimmy Seals of Seals and Croft

[@laurogarza4953]

@@williamferris7134 Quite right. Thank you for the correction.

[@thecasper911]

Amber and Jordan would love Dan Seals' solo music!

[@lylakoehlmoos5391]

Love “Cowboy Logic!”

[@yebopa2692]

Fr fr Dan seals was that dude

[@robertjacoby2372]

I always cry when I hear this song 😢

[@ebelionavarro337]

This was me and my common law wife's Song back when she was alive. Takes me back in time. Thanks you both for playing this. God Bless

[@ebelionavarro337]

Thank you both very much, and if you could sometimes when ever could you play the pretenders,,, I'll stand by you. Thanks again God Bless.. from Oklahoma ❤️

[@jamestiscareno4387]

I know a woman who has had horses her whole life. She says this will someday be her funeral song. I think about her whenever I hear it. A beautiful song for a truly beautiful and wonderful woman.

[@SG-js2qn]

For me, this has always been such a sad and beautiful song. The lyrics paint the scenes so well, in plain words that are not about feelings, yet still somehow crammed with real feelings.

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

But at least, unlike in the America song, they NAMED the horse! On the other hand, the people don''t have names. They should have gone to Jim Croce for that, because he says "I've Got a Name." But in Ireland, it's the streets that have no names, according to U2. As contrasted with what Was/Not Was tells us about America, where somewhere "there's a street named after my dad."

[@ChuckHackney]

They just don't write or sing songs this gorgeous anymore.

[@RealTechZen]

A few years back, when I was serving on the Board of the North Texas Irish Festival, Michael contacted us a month or so ahead of the event. He pointed out that Murphey is a fine old Irish name and said he wanted to donate a couple of 1 hour sets to our cause. We had to do a little reshuffling of the performance schedule, but none of the artists minded at all. As much as I like his recorded music, I must say seeing him live with just acoustic guitar is a treasured memory. He's a marvelous human being, BTW.

[@ronhunt9396]

Loved this one. All about a horse and of course a woman. I'm 73 and remember it well and getting chills. I think you're right about Denver and Campbell

[@harpergras]

I've always said that this is one of the all time most beautiful songs ever written and sung.

[@cccs800]

I have always LOVED this song! I remember when it first came out (1975) and I still play it now & again whenever I feel a need to just get whisked away from all my worries... on Wildfire. This song does just that! LOVE that you gorgeous young people know & appreciate music of all decades & genres! Music connoisseurs! ♥️

[@susanbezio6708]

Still get goosebumps after all these years hearing this song. 💯❤️☮️🕊️

[@daniellemarie1299]

I cry everytime I hear this wonderful song, tears of joy. Its about them riding off on Wildfire in the afterlife.

[@valeriebecker5599]

This song is so hauntingly beautiful and brings me to tears each time I hear it. Bring on the water works ! Love you guys !

[@kenni123064]

Man o man’ this is “magical “ what a vocal and song arrangement. This is a SONG this is unbelievable! In a class of its own! No one will ever be able to create this beautiful image again! Michael Martin Murphy can make a grown man cry!

[@alanmaples8905]

I just heard MMM sing this two nights ago. He sounds just as good at age 77. Great vocals.

[@Keedeeg]

One of the most beautiful songs ever made!!

[@michelleydenisey4697]

I cannot tell you how much I love this song. My siblings too. We grew up listening to it.

[@terrilgeorge7255]

Me too. Gives me goosebumps. Thanks for reaching to it Amber and Jay.

[@KatazeevTheWizard]

This was a childhood favorite of mine. I love the story. Always a tear-jerker.

[@kemarieblack3730]

My Mother went to school With MMM in Dallas, Texas. Love this song. Haven't heard this in a long long time...

[@Shrykespeare]

That's actually really cool! Was it high school? I wonder what kind of guy he was back then...

[@raycewilliams3300]

This song was released in 1975 and I loved it immediately. His voice and the story being told are both fantastic.

[@joannelong8056]

So lovely to see you both just sit, eyes closed, swaying and absorbing the song. Great reaction

[@nancywengert7301]

Always loved the sound of this song, it's such a sad song about freezing to death in a blizzard chasing a lost horse.

[@morrison62]

I actually saw Michael Martin Murphey perform this in a small bar in Taos, NM in 1994 on a snowy night, so there were not many people there. It was very magical, to say the least. One of the reasons I got to see him was he actually lived in nearby Red River and was a rancher.

[@vickywiley2866]

Had to be the Motherlode Saloon

[@roadkill7314]

As I get older I can sure appreciate soft rock (and disco) so much more than I used to. Maybe just nostalgia but I can dig so many more genres of music now! This is definitely part of the soundtrack of my life.

[@kerrimanning7229]

We just saw him last weekend in Lincoln New Mexico. It was awesome. He is very humble when he performs.

[@oldmanghost219]

Great you found it wildfire! This is one of my all-time favorites

[@nealiecruz2532]

If you were born in the 70’s, this song make u cry

[@theodoreritola7641]

If not it sure makes you feel good and brings back fantastic memmories

[@sueparras6028]

I loved this song when it came out! And believe me, they played it at least 10 times a day.

[@californiagold3857]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Holds a very sentimental place in my heart.

[@kev7161]

Another song in a similar vein as Wildfire is "Shannon", by Henry Gross. A beautiful song with a sad story.

[@patriciamonz4225]

Love this song!! Reminds me of tech school while in the Air Force stationed at Lowry AFB in Denver, CO. This was back in 1975....good times!!

[@markzucker4320]

I haven't heard this in ages. I forgot just how beautiful it is.

[@mdennis9496]

One of my FAVORITE songs from the 70s. Such emotion and definitely takes you to another place. BEAUTIFUL……….

[@FirstSuiGeneris]

I can’t believe, I didn’t have this song in my library? I do now! Thanks! Love this song!

[@ImKat46]

1975 .. Michael Murphy McDonald wrote, composed and sang. Tears every time I listen to this incredible song. No One should sing this but Michael.

[@jackie_jrml]

This song makes me tear up every time. It’s so beautiful. At the very beginning I was wondering if you would say it gave you John Denver vibes. Eventually you did. Thank you for reacting and to whomever recommended it!!

[@gregorycrnkovic1660]

Just so happens you all were so right on about John Denver. The very 1st time I heard this song was some time in the 1970's. John Denver was guest hosting the Tonight show for Johnny Carson. MMM was one of the guests on the show that night. He performed "Wildfire" with JD backing him up on vocals and guitar. It was moving. I've tried to find it on the internet but haven't been able to find it yet. I guess I was about 16 or 17. Life is really short. One day your young without a care in the world. Next day you are 65 wondering where it all went.........

[@Ecosse57]

i remember hearing this as a kid when it came out and it almost brought me to tears every time it came on the radio.

[@traveller112]

This has always been one of my favorite songs since I was little despite how sad it is. Such a beautiful song.

[@kaafromoz]

TY guys have loved this song for many years, there is a video here live version where Michael explains how he came to write this song. he says he and a friend had been up all night writing when he fell asleep on the floor and awoke with this song in his head so he wrote it down and history was made. Yet another song that came in a dream of a magical horse. Keep Safe Keep Strong 🦘🦘🦘🦘🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@westyw.4235]

Your room and clothes reflect such an amazing diversity of music appreciation. So refreshing to see different people coming together to appreciate awesome artistry!

[@bbop6136]

Climax blues band: ooh I love you.... a great storytelling song

[@eileendobbs8009]

That's a great song

[@theodoreritola7641]

I Totally agrea .

[@tordenstorm]

I grew up listening to this song, can never say how much I love it. It makes me teary every time.

[@tofersiefken]

Sadly, the girl died in the blizzard, searching for Wildfire after the horse busted down its stall. So the "she" that's coming for him is the ghost of the girl on the back of the spirit-horse Wildfire. It sort of reminds me of Kathy and Heathcliff's ghostly love story from the novel Wuthering Heights.

[@may5588]

Did she die after the pony busted down his stall and she went looking for him or did she die first and the pony busted down his stall when he realized that she died and did her spirit go looking for the pony?

[@theodoreritola7641]

GOD BLESS YOU GOOD ROB SQUAD ,AND JAY 70s rock n roll rules baby, Right Amber lol

[@CaliforniaUnearthed]

I don't comment on much but I have to say I love how the younger generation like you guys are finding and liking the music that us Gen X'ers grew up on. I have to tell you a quick story about this song. I grew up on this song and later on in the mid 80's I would drive with my cousin Chris, who I grew up with and who I consider a brother, from Los Angeles to Redding Ca. some 500+ miles, to visit family. I was 14 and Chris was teaching me how to drive in the middle of the night on I-5 and we would listen to this song along with others we grew up on from the early 70's. Road Trip music. So when ever I hearr this song now it takes me back to his Ford F250 with me driving at 14 along I-5 in the middle of the night. Thank you for reacting to this.

[@janethernandez724]

Oh my goodness! This song takes me way back to the early or mid 1970s! I forgot about this song until now! That piano opening sounded so familiar to me and then I recognized the song for what it is! I never paid too much attention to the words when it came out, but it sounds as if she was riding a pony and she got lost in a storm and lost her pony Wildfire. It was good to hear this song again and a bit more of this story too. Enjoyed this reaction! ☮💕👍👏

[@sherrycomrie2801]

This song always gave me goosebumps I love it.

[@jeffreybauer3647]

I've always loved this song. This is a re-recording. To everyone who listened to this in '75, here is the "real" version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmO8iKSGnc6ZqsU

[@patrick3926]

I thought this sounded different and slow

[@skiking226USA]

Thank you sir not happy with this video and the re recording

[@Grizazzle]

Thanks. I thought it sounded different. Still very good though.

[@BenLapke]

Good ear

[@StellaJean1000]

I knew it.

[@maryvallas772]

Oh my gosh... I was only 3 years old when this song came out, and it always made me cry! (Still does!!!) 😭😭😭

[@sammytheface8821]

💞

[@tonymonk1965]

I forgot how awesome that song was... It was never one of my favorites in the early days but now I am starting to appreciate it more.

[@reborndaughter445]

One of my favorite reviews you've done. Pure enchantment on your faces. Thanks, friends.

[@robdaviesprogm]

The "wind instrument" you were referring to was actually an electric guitar, probably with a slightly-altered tone. I wasn't born when this song came out, but it's still incredibly nostalgic for me. When I was a kid, my dad used to take us up to the cottage my grandfather used to own for a week during the summer. He had a tape of '70s hits that he would play during the evenings, and this was on there (though it was the single version, which has a different vocal on it). That guitar bit in the intro always reminded me of the loons crying out in the lake. Absolutely beautiful memories. Thank you so much for the reaction.

[@jaketarry3534]

Synthesizer.

[@TheWolfCub71]

It’s a guitar. Super clean tone. Probably finger picked to take the sharp edge off the note.

[@hagar6359]

i never heard this song until about 2 months ago. Now I can't stop listening to it. Lovely lovely song, makes me smile!

[@ramlof1]

This is actually a vocal remake he did sometime later in years, but it’s a great version.

[@mljrotag6343]

Yes, this is not the original vocal. I noticed it right away.

[@keithneale6223]

I preferred the original

[@David-hr8mq]

Yeah I thought it sounded different from what I remember. I think the original is better.

[@centuryrox]

@@keithneale6223 I fail to understand why this song was re-recorded when the original was perfect. I really despise remakes.

[@wpollock1]

@@centuryrox Probably due to a record deal that gave him Zero money for the royalties.....remake it where you get 100% of the royalties? Just a guess.