Leaving on a Jet Plane
John Denver · The Ultimate Collection [2011]
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say Goodbye
But the dawn is breaking it's early morn
The taxi's waiting he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die
CHORUS
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'cause I'm leaving on a Jet Plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe I hate to go
There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now THAT they don't mean a thing
Everyplace I go I'll think of you
Every song I sing I'll sing for you
When I come back I'll bring your wedding ring
CHORUS
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Close your eyes I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times I won't have to say...
CHORUS
Leaving on a Jet Plane
John Denver's 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' stands as a cornerstone of his career, blending acoustic guitar with a soaring melody that defines the country-pop genre of the late 1960s and 1970s. Originally recorded in 1969, the song became an instant hit, capturing the universal sentiment of departure and nostalgia through its simple yet evocative structure. Its enduring popularity is evident in its frequent inclusion on greatest hits compilations and its status as a staple in country music anthologies. The track exemplifies Denver's ability to craft songs that resonate deeply with listeners, balancing lyrical themes of travel and longing with an infectious rhythm that has ensured its place in the American musical canon for decades.