Leaving on a Jet Plane

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

[edit] Cover versions

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, despite the fact that John Denver died in a plane crash.

It is a common misconception that Jefferson Airplane/Starship performed the song. Usually known is the version by Peter, Paul and Mary.

The song is thought to have been covered by the American rock musician Janis Joplin but the voice singing is actually the cover by Canadian pop singer Chantal Kreviazuk, the song was also the 12th track in the band Slightly Stoopid's 2003 album Everything You Need.

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