Introduction:
Leaving On A Jet Plane, a song so synonymous with John Denver that it’s difficult to imagine one without the other. Released in 1969, though written a few years prior, this melancholic folk ballad about goodbyes and the promise of reunions became an instant classic, even if Denver himself never achieved chart success with his initial recording.
The song is a prime example of the singer-songwriter genre that dominated the late 1960s and early 1970s. Denver, with his acoustic guitar and earnest vocals, embodied the spirit of the era. His music spoke of wide-open spaces, environmental consciousness, and a yearning for simpler times. Leaving On A Jet Plane tapped into a different vein, though. Here, the wide-open spaces are replaced by the cramped confines of an airplane cabin, the environmental message takes a backseat to the pang of separation, and the simplicity comes from the raw emotion Denver pours into his singing.
The beauty of the song lies in its deceptive simplicity. The lyrics, penned by Denver himself, are straightforward. The narrator is leaving on a jet plane, filled with the bittersweetness of parting. He doesn’t want to go, but there’s a journey he must take. The imagery is evocative – packed bags, a sleeping lover, the promise of a dream about better days.
But it’s the melody that truly elevates the song. Written in the key of D major, it’s a gentle, lilting tune that perfectly complements the melancholic lyrics. The simple chord progression, featuring a repeating pattern of D – G – Bm – A, creates a sense of constant motion, mirroring the journey the narrator is about to embark on.
Leaving On A Jet Plane wasn’t a huge hit for Denver initially. It was included on his debut demo recording, John Denver Sings, in 1966, under the title Babe I Hate To Go. Denver even gave copies away as Christmas presents that year! However, the song found new life when Peter, Paul and Mary recorded their now iconic version in 1969. Their rendition shot to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, forever etching the song into the collective American consciousness.
Denver himself re-recorded the song several times throughout his career, most notably for his 1973 greatest hits album. This version, produced by Milt Jackson, became the definitive Denver rendition, the one most listeners would associate with the artist.
Leaving On A Jet Plane transcended its chart performance (or lack thereof for Denver’s original version). It became a folk standard, covered by countless artists across genres. It’s a song that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the bittersweet pang of goodbyes, the hope for reunions, and the promise of new beginnings that lie just beyond the horizon. It’s a testament to the power of simple storytelling and a well-crafted melody, a perfect encapsulation of the singer-songwriter movement, and a song that continues to touch hearts even decades after its release.