The album version features an extra verse, not heard on the Singles charts, due to the song's length.

As the Vietnam War came to an end, the song took on a new significance and began to receive airplay on adult contemporary radio stations.

Cash Box said "Soft, tender ballad receives a treatment equal to the task and the pretty lyrics come shining through as a result.

"[5] Record World said that "Denver scores with this ballad which will send him back home to the top of the charts.

The short-lived series began where the movie left off with the young widowed father (DeYoung) raising his stepdaughter (Elizabeth Cheshire).

The song was covered by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen as the lead single from her debut studio album, Tug of War, released on June 16, 2008.