Leaving on a Jet Plane

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"Leaving on a Jet Plane" was a song written by John Denver in 1967 during a layover at an airport in Washington and was recorded by the Chad Mitchell Trio that year. Others had covered the song that year, including versions from Spanky & Our Gang and Peter, Paul and Mary; however, it only became a hit when the latter act covered the song again on Album 1700, their 1969 effort. It turned out to be their biggest (and final) hit.

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

The song has also been the cause of a peculiar legal escapade involving the British group New Order. The band's single, "Run 2" (1989), was the subject of legal action from John Denver, who argued that the song's 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. [1]

A cover by Chantal Kreviazuk was used in the 1998 film Armageddon and became an international hit. 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.

Preceded by
"Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam
Billboard Hot 100 number one single
December 20, 1969
Succeeded by
"Someday We'll Be Together" by Diana Ross and the Supremes

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