John Denver | Colorado Music Hall of Fame

About the Song

ā€œLeaving On A Jet Planeā€ is a song written by American singer-songwriter John Denver. It was released in 1969 on his debut album John Denver Sings. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and number two on the UK Singles Chart.
The song is a country-folk ballad about a young man who is leaving his home and loved ones to travel the world. The songā€™s lyrics are simple but effective, and the melody is catchy and memorable. Denverā€™s gentle vocals add to the songā€™s emotional impact.

ā€œLeaving On A Jet Planeā€ has been covered by many artists over the years, including:

Peter, Paul and Mary
Dionne Warwick
The Carpenters
Willie Nelson
Dolly Parton

The song has also been used in a number of films and television shows, including:

The GraduateĀ (1968)
Forrest GumpĀ (1994)
Up in the AirĀ (2009)

ā€œLeaving On A Jet Planeā€ is a classic folk ballad that has stood the test of time. It is a song that is sure to continue to be enjoyed by listeners for many years to come.
Here are some additional details about the song:

The song was written in 1966, when Denver was just 21 years old.
The song was inspired by Denverā€™s own experiences of traveling the world.
The song was originally recorded as a demo, but it was later released as a single.
The song was a commercial success, reaching number one in the United States and Canada.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Peter, Paul and Mary, Dionne Warwick, and The Carpenters.
The song has also been used in a number of films and television shows, including The Graduate, Forrest Gump, and Up in the Air.

John Denver - Songs, Death & Music

VideoĀ 

Lyrics: Leaving On A Jet Plane

All my bags are packed, Iā€™m ready to go
Iā€™m standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say good-bye
But the dawn is breaking, itā€™s early morn
The taxiā€™s waiting Heā€™s blowing his horn
Already Iā€™m so lonesome I could die
So kiss me and smile for me, tell me that youā€™ll wait for me
Hold me like youā€™ll never let me go
ā€˜Cause Iā€™m leaving on a jet plane
Donā€™t know when Iā€™ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Thereā€™s so many times Iā€™ve let you down
So many times Iā€™ve played around
I tell you now they donā€™t mean a thing
Every place I go Iā€™ll think of you
Every song I sing Iā€™ll sing for you
When I come back, Iā€™ll bring your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youā€™ll wait for me
Hold me like youā€™ll never let me go
ā€˜Cause Iā€™m leaving on a jet plane
Donā€™t know when Iā€™ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Then close your eyes, Iā€™ll be on my way
Dream about the days to come when I wonā€™t have to leave alone
About the times I wonā€™t have to say
Kiss me and smile for me, tell me that youā€™ll wait for me
Hold me like youā€™ll never let me go
ā€˜Cause Iā€™m leaving on a jet plane
Donā€™t know when Iā€™ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Iā€™m leaving on a jet plane
Donā€™t know when Iā€™ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

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