Leaving on a Jet Plane

Infobox Single
Name = Leaving on a Jet Plane


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Artist = John Denver
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Length = 4:04
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Upper caption = Audio sample
Audio file = Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver.ogg

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" is a song written by John Denver in 1967 during a layover at an airport in Washington and recorded by the Mitchell Trio that year. 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. Denver wrote the song after his flight was delayed. Other artists recorded the song in 1967, including Spanky & Our Gang and Peter, Paul and Mary on "Album 1700". It did not become a hit until Peter, Paul and Mary 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 The song also spent three weeks atop the easy listening chart.

Cover versions

John Denver's version of his song, "Leaving on a Jet Plane", was included on his Adam Bridges 1969 debut solo album, "Rhymes and Reasons". Many other artists have covered this song, including:

*Country group The Kendalls recorded the song, which entered the U.S. country singles top-fifty in 1970.

*The song prompted litigation involving the British group New Order. The band's single, "Run 2" (1989), was the subject of a lawsuit brought by John Denver, 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. [ [http://www.niagara.edu/neworder/singles/run2.html New Order:Singles:Run 2] ]

*A cover by Chantal Kreviazuk was used in the 1998 film "Armageddon" and became an international hit. During the movie, A. J. Frost sings part of the song to Grace as the astronauts are leaving to board the shuttles.

*A more jazzy version by Jimmy Coup previously served as the theme song for the first season of A&E's "Airline" television program.

*A version of the song by Sophie Barker was used in advertisements for British Airways, despite the fact that John Denver died in a plane crash.

*The song was parodied by the comedy band Pinkard and Bowden, with their cover version entitled "Libyan on a Jet Plane".

*The song was the 12th track of the 2003 album "Everything You Need" by the band Slightly Stoopid.

*Me First and the Gimme Gimmes covered the song on their 1997 album "Have a Ball".

* Dinosaur Jr Frontman J Mascis covered the song on a 7" that was released as part of Sub Pop Records 7" Club

*Punk band Verbal Warning covered the song on their 2006 album A Kick in the Verbals.

*Punk band Funeral Dress covered the song.

*This song was also sung by Frank Sinatra and appeared on "Sinatra & Company" in 1971. This recording is heard in the 1996 movie "The Rock".

*Organist Erik Wm. Suter played this song during his farewell recital in Washington National Cathedral on July 4, 2007, upon leaving his position as cathedral musician to become an airline pilot.

*The band Sister Hazel had a cover of Leaving on a Jetplane
* Southern college rock icons drivin' n' cryin' covered Leaving on a Jetplane on their 1997 self-titled album
* Leavin - Jesse McCartney - is a reference to the song with lyrics pertaining to leaving on a jetplane and it also samples a bit of the tune.
* Rapper Mos Def sings an interpolation of the chorus on the remix of his song, "Travellin' Man".
* Punk band Sloppy Seconds covered the song on the album Destroyed.
* Main characters, Carlton Lassiter and Juliet O'Hara from USA Network's Psych, perform the song during the end credits of the episode, "Poker? I Barely Know Her" (Season 1, Episode 14), but are interrupted by Shawn and Gus (James Roday and Dule Hill respectively) with noisy appliances.

References

External links

*amg|id=33:t95e8qbpbtq4|label=Review of "Leaving on a Jet Plane"