John Denver's song "Homegrown Tomatoes" celebrates the joys and importance of growing and enjoying fresh, homegrown tomatoes. The lyrics express the singer's passion for the taste and experience of picking and eating tomatoes that he has grown himself. The song starts by highlighting the singer's love for bacon, lettuce, and homegrown tomatoes, emphasizing that there is nothing better in the world. He describes the process of caring for tomato plants in the garden, urging listeners to choose ripe tomatoes instead of hard ones. The anticipation of planting them in spring and enjoying them throughout the summer is contrasted with the disappointment of not having them during winter, which he calls a "culinary bummer." The chorus repeats the phrase "Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes, what would life be without homegrown tomatoes?", emphasizing the significance of these fruits in the singer's life. The lyrics suggest that only two things in life cannot be bought with money: true love and homegrown tomatoes, indicating the special value and worth that they hold. The song continues by highlighting the versatility of tomatoes, suggesting various ways they can be enjoyed, such as in salads, stews, or as tomato juice. The singer emphasizes that homegrown tomatoes have a unique ability to cure numerous culinary cravings and can even be enjoyed with traditional dishes like eggs, gravy, and beans. In the final verse, the singer playfully suggests that if he were to change his life, he would be called "Johnny Tomatoseed," illustrating his deep connection to tomatoes. He believes that every yard should have homegrown tomatoes, promoting the idea of cultivating and sharing these fruits with others. The song concludes with the singer expressing his desire to be buried in a garden rather than a traditional cemetery, so that he can continue to contribute to the growth of homegrown tomatoes even after he has passed away. Overall, "Homegrown Tomatoes" celebrates the simple joys of growing and savoring fresh, homegrown food, highlighting the satisfaction and connection it brings to the singer's life.
