Leaving on a Jet Plane
Encyclopedia
"Leaving on a Jet Plane" is a song written by John Denver
in 1966 and most famously recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary
. The original title of the song was "Oh Babe I Hate to Go" but Denver's then producer, Milt Okun, convinced him to change the title.
The song was initially recorded in 1967 by the Chad Mitchell Trio
, and later that same year by Spanky and Our Gang
. Peter, Paul and Mary
's version first appeared on their 1967 Album 1700
; however, it did not become a hit until they released it as a single in 1969. It turned out to be their biggest (and final) hit, becoming their only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart in the United States
. It was the penultimate (second to last) #1 single of the 1960s. The song also spent three weeks atop the easy listening chart
. The song was used in commercials for United Airlines
in the late 1970s. The song was also sung by the crew of the space shuttle in the movie Armageddon.
. Many other artists have covered
this song, including:
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
in 1966 and most famously recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary were an American folk-singing trio whose nearly 50-year career began with their rise to become a paradigm for 1960s folk music. The trio was composed of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers...
. The original title of the song was "Oh Babe I Hate to Go" but Denver's then producer, Milt Okun, convinced him to change the title.
The song was initially recorded in 1967 by the Chad Mitchell Trio
Chad Mitchell Trio
The Chad Mitchell Trio were a North American vocal group who became known during the 1960s. They performed folk songs, some of which were traditionally passed down and some of their own compositions. Unlike many fellow folk music groups, none of the trio played instruments...
, and later that same year by Spanky and Our Gang
Spanky and Our Gang
Spanky and Our Gang was an American 1960s folk-rock band led by Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane. The band derives its name from Hal Roach's popular Our Gang comedies of the 1930s...
. Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary were an American folk-singing trio whose nearly 50-year career began with their rise to become a paradigm for 1960s folk music. The trio was composed of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers...
's version first appeared on their 1967 Album 1700
Album 1700
Album 1700 is the seventh studio album by the American folk music trio Peter, Paul & Mary, released in 1967 . It produced the band's most successful and final hit — "Leaving on a Jet Plane" . The album peaked at #15 on Billboard Magazine's Top LP chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the...
; however, it did not become a hit until they released it as a single in 1969. It turned out to be their biggest (and final) hit, becoming their only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was the penultimate (second to last) #1 single of the 1960s. The song also spent three weeks atop the easy listening chart
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
. The song was used in commercials for United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
in the late 1970s. The song was also sung by the crew of the space shuttle in the movie Armageddon.
Cover versions
John Denver recorded his own version of the song for his 1969 debut solo album, Rhymes & Reasons, and re-recorded it in 1973 for John Denver's Greatest HitsJohn Denver's Greatest Hits
John Denver's Greatest Hits was American singer-songwriter John Denver's first compilation album, released in late 1973 for the holiday shopping season...
. Many other artists have covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
this song, including:
- Country group The KendallsThe KendallsThe Kendalls was an American country music duo, consisting of Royce Kendall and his daughter Jeannie Kendall . Between the 1960s and 1990s, they released sixteen albums on various labels, including five on Mercury Records...
recorded the song, which entered the U.S. country singles top-fifty in 1970. - The song prompted litigation involving the British group New OrderNew OrderNew Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
. The band's single "Run 2Run 2"Run 2" was New Order's third and final single from their 1989 album Technique.-Overview:"Run 2" was remixed by Scott Litt from the version on Technique, hence the appendage of "2" to the title. The main difference is that the song has been made more radio-friendly by editing down most of the long...
" (1989) was the subject of a lawsuit brought by John DenverJohn DenverHenry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
, who argued that its wordless guitar break was based on his "Leaving on a Jet Plane". An out-of-court settlement ensured that the song would never be re-released in its original form. - An interpolation of the song can be heard in the song "Tell Me That You'll Wait" by Eurodance group Culture BeatCulture BeatCulture Beat is a German Eurodance project formed in 1989 by Torsten Fenslau. The act has gone through a number of line-up changes over the years; they achieved the most success whilst fronted by singer Tania Evans and rapper Jay Supreme. Their 1993 single "Mr. Vain" was a No...
, during the chorus. - Alternative rock band Eve 6Eve 6Eve 6 is an American rock band from Southern California, who are most well known for their hit singles "Inside Out", "Leech", and the slow anthem "Here's to the Night". They disbanded in 2004, returned in 2007 with a new lineup, and finally reunited with all three original members in March 2011...
covered the song for their album HorrorscopeHorrorscope (Eve 6 album)Horrorscope is Eve 6's second studio album, recorded at NRG Recording Services in North Hollywood, California. It was released in 2000 through BMG Entertainment and RCA Records to mixed reviews....
. The song was a bonus track on the album. - A cover by Chantal KreviazukChantal KreviazukChantal Jennifer Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer-songwriter of the adult contemporary music genre. She is also a classically trained pianist, and can play the guitar.-Albums:...
was used in the 1998 film Armageddon and became an international hit. During the movie, A. J. FrostBen AffleckBenjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt , better known as Ben Affleck, is an American actor, film director, writer, and producer. He became known with his performances in Kevin Smith's films such as Mallrats and Chasing Amy...
sings part of the song to GraceLiv TylerLiv Rundgren Tyler is an American actress and model. She is the daughter of Aerosmith's lead singer, Steven Tyler, and Bebe Buell, model and singer. Tyler began a career in modeling at the age of 14, but after less than a year she decided to focus on acting. She made her film debut in the 1994...
as the astronauts are leaving to board the shuttles. - Reggae band Slightly StoopidSlightly StoopidSlightly Stoopid is an American band based in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California, who describe their music as "a fusion of acoustic rock and blues with reggae, hip-hop, and punk". As a band, they have released eight albums with their sixth studio album, entitled Slightly Not Stoned Enough To Eat...
covered the song on their 2003 album Everything You NeedEverything You NeedEverything You Need is the third album by the band Slightly Stoopid. It was released by Surfdog Records on March 18, 2003.-Track listing:# "Everything You Need" - 3:32# "Officer" - 3:51# "Questionable" - 2:06# "Runnin’ With A Gun" - 3:30...
. - The fictional cover band Jeffster!Jeffster!Jeffster! is a fictional cover band on the television series Chuck. Its principal members are Jeff Barnes and Lester Patel , both of whom work in the Nerd Herd division of the Buy More...
covered the song in the ChuckChuck (TV series)Chuck is an action-comedy/spy-drama television program from the United States created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak. The series is about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" named Chuck, played by Zachary Levi, who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working for the Central...
season 3 episode "Chuck Versus the HoneymoonersChuck Versus the Honeymooners"Chuck Versus the Honeymooners" is the 14th episode of the third season of Chuck. It originally aired on April 26, 2010. When Chuck and Sarah go AWOL after the death of Daniel Shaw, Beckman sends the newly-reinstated Casey and Morgan to bring them back...
". - In the extended version of the GleeGlee (TV series)Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
pilot episodePilot (Glee)"Pilot" is the pilot episode of the television series Glee, which premiered on the Fox network on May 19, 2009. An extended director's cut version aired on September 2, 2009. The show focuses on a high school show choir, also known as a glee club, set within the fictional William McKinley High...
, the song was covered by Will SchuesterWill SchuesterWilliam "Will" Schuester, often referred to as Mr. Schue, is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Matthew Morrison and has appeared in Glee since its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Will was developed by Glee...
, the Music teacher played by Matthew MorrisonMatthew MorrisonMatthew James "Matt" Morrison is an American actor, director, musician, and singer-songwriter. He is best known for starring in multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including his portrayal of Link Larkin in Hairspray on Broadway, and most notably for his Emmy and Golden Globe nominated...
. - Punk rock group and cover band Me First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
covered the song on their first album Have a Ball. - British singer Sophie BarkerSophie BarkerSophie Barker is a British singer from London, best known for her work with the British downtempo group Zero 7. Sophie left University College London after two years to become a full-time singer, signing with Sony Records. She is the co-writer of the band's biggest hit, "Destiny", and sings the...
's cover of the song was featured in a 2006 British AirwaysBritish AirwaysBritish Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
UK television campaign. - Japanese pop-rock band MONKEY MAJIKMonkey MajikMonkey Majik is a Japanese pop-rock band formed in 2000, consisting of two Canadian brothers and two Japanese members .- Profile :...
sampled a small part of the song (namely the lines "You know I'm leaving on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again") in the song "Angel" from their album westviewWestview (Monkey Majik album)Westview is the 6th full album released by MONKEY MAJIK on February 2, 2011 in celebration of their 10 year anniversary. Westview is a follow-up album to their album eastview released in 2005. Most of the tracks recorded for westview were recorded in Greece...
. - A shortened sing-along version of the song was covered by British adventurer Bear GryllsBear GryllsEdward Michael "Bear" Grylls is an English adventurer, writer and television presenter. He is best known for his television series Man vs. Wild, known as Born Survivor in the United Kingdom...
, at the conclusion of each of his three live shows in the Bear Grylls Live Australia Tour, in September 2011.