Peter, Paul & Mary
The trio Peter, Paul and Mary (often PP&M) is an American musical group that was one of the most successful folk-singing groups of the 1960s. The trio comprises Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers.
The group was created by manager Albert Grossman, who sought to create a folk "supergroup" by bringing together "a tall blonde (Travers), a funny guy (Stookey), and a good looking guy (Yarrow)." He launched the group in 1961, booking them into the Bitter End Read Full BioThe trio Peter, Paul and Mary (often PP&M) is an American musical group that was one of the most successful folk-singing groups of the 1960s. The trio comprises Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers.
The group was created by manager Albert Grossman, who sought to create a folk "supergroup" by bringing together "a tall blonde (Travers), a funny guy (Stookey), and a good looking guy (Yarrow)." He launched the group in 1961, booking them into the Bitter End, a coffee house in New York City's Greenwich Village that was a favorite place to hear folk artists.
The group recorded their first album, Peter, Paul and Mary, the following year. It included "500 Miles," "Lemon Tree","Where Have All the Flowers Gone," and the hit Pete Seeger tune "If I Had a Hammer," ("The Hammer Song"). The album was listed on Billboard Magazine Top Ten list for ten months and in the Top One Hundred for over three years.
By 1963 they had recorded three albums; released the now-famous song "Puff the Magic Dragon", which Yarrow and fellow Cornell student Leonard Lipton originally wrote in 1959 and was on the charts in 1963; and performed "If I Had a Hammer" at the 1963 March on Washington, best remembered for Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Their biggest single hit came with the Bob Dylan song, "Blowin' in the Wind," which was an international #1 hit. It was the fastest selling single ever cut by Warner Brothers Records. For many years after, the group was at the forefront of the civil rights movement and other causes promoting social justice. Their later hit "Leaving on a Jet Plane" was actually written by the then unknown John Denver.
The trio broke up in 1970 to pursue separate solo careers, but found little of the success they did as a group, although Stookey's "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" (written for Yarrow's marriage to Marybeth McCarthy, the niece of senator Eugene McCarthy) was a hit and has become a wedding standard since its 1971 release.
In 1978, they reunited for a concert to protest nuclear energy, and have recorded albums together and toured since. They currently play around 25 shows a year.[1]
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
In 2005, Travers was diagnosed with leukemia, leading to the cancellation of the remaining tour dates for that year. She received a bone marrow transplant and She and the rest of the trio resumed their concert tour on December 9, 2005 with a holiday performance at Carnegie Hall and were scheduled for several additional concerts in 2006.Sadly she passed away in Sept 2009.
Peter, Paul and Mary received in 2006 the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievment Award from Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The group was created by manager Albert Grossman, who sought to create a folk "supergroup" by bringing together "a tall blonde (Travers), a funny guy (Stookey), and a good looking guy (Yarrow)." He launched the group in 1961, booking them into the Bitter End Read Full BioThe trio Peter, Paul and Mary (often PP&M) is an American musical group that was one of the most successful folk-singing groups of the 1960s. The trio comprises Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers.
The group was created by manager Albert Grossman, who sought to create a folk "supergroup" by bringing together "a tall blonde (Travers), a funny guy (Stookey), and a good looking guy (Yarrow)." He launched the group in 1961, booking them into the Bitter End, a coffee house in New York City's Greenwich Village that was a favorite place to hear folk artists.
The group recorded their first album, Peter, Paul and Mary, the following year. It included "500 Miles," "Lemon Tree","Where Have All the Flowers Gone," and the hit Pete Seeger tune "If I Had a Hammer," ("The Hammer Song"). The album was listed on Billboard Magazine Top Ten list for ten months and in the Top One Hundred for over three years.
By 1963 they had recorded three albums; released the now-famous song "Puff the Magic Dragon", which Yarrow and fellow Cornell student Leonard Lipton originally wrote in 1959 and was on the charts in 1963; and performed "If I Had a Hammer" at the 1963 March on Washington, best remembered for Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Their biggest single hit came with the Bob Dylan song, "Blowin' in the Wind," which was an international #1 hit. It was the fastest selling single ever cut by Warner Brothers Records. For many years after, the group was at the forefront of the civil rights movement and other causes promoting social justice. Their later hit "Leaving on a Jet Plane" was actually written by the then unknown John Denver.
The trio broke up in 1970 to pursue separate solo careers, but found little of the success they did as a group, although Stookey's "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" (written for Yarrow's marriage to Marybeth McCarthy, the niece of senator Eugene McCarthy) was a hit and has become a wedding standard since its 1971 release.
In 1978, they reunited for a concert to protest nuclear energy, and have recorded albums together and toured since. They currently play around 25 shows a year.[1]
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
In 2005, Travers was diagnosed with leukemia, leading to the cancellation of the remaining tour dates for that year. She received a bone marrow transplant and She and the rest of the trio resumed their concert tour on December 9, 2005 with a holiday performance at Carnegie Hall and were scheduled for several additional concerts in 2006.Sadly she passed away in Sept 2009.
Peter, Paul and Mary received in 2006 the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievment Award from Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Leaving On A Jet Plane
Peter Paul & Mary Lyrics
All my bags are packed,
I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin'
It's early morn
The taxi's waitin'
He's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome
I could cry
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I 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, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll wear your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I Don't know when I'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
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
Kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Leavin' on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Leavin' on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe I hate to go
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: John Denver
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Jo Rae Perkins
This is the truth about this song. "...Denver’s inspiration for writing this song is clear, and being put simply, is a song about the difficult choice of whether or not to leave his loved one behind in order to pursue his career.
As a result of being the child of a military family, Denver spent the majority of his childhood moving from place to place. Likewise, attempting to make his way in life as a professional musician, Denver was forced to travel and live cross country, bouncing back and forth between lives and relationships that he had established. In his song, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” Denver sings about the difficulties that come with never being able to establish himself in one specific area and his longing for a permanent home. In addition, the song was inspired by Denver’s wife, Annie. Denver describes Annie as being the one person who finally grounded him in his life, and he felt that wherever she was, that was truly his home.
With this in mind, leaving behind the one place that he felt he truly belonged triggered many destructive behaviors in Denver involving affairs, alcohol abuse, and drug dependency. In spite of all of his flaws, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” was written and recorded as one last-ditch effort to save his relationship with Annie, his only true sense of foundation. In his song, Denver sings,
“There’s so many times I’ve let you down, So many times I’ve played around. I tell you now, they don’t mean a thing. Ev’ry place I go, I’ll think of you, Ev’ry song I sing, I’ll sing for you, When I come back, I’ll wear your wedding ring.”
John Denver 2In this straightforward plea, Denver forwardly admits to not being the best husband that he could be, but wants Annie to know that he will change everything in his life if only he can be with her. Without her, his life, as flawed and feeble as it may be, is entirely lost.
Interestingly enough, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” was actually never intended for the public audience. John Denver himself personally recorded the song and published it with his own money, distributing a select number of albums to only his closest family and friends. It was n'ot until the song was accidently released and performed by multiple cover bands, including the group Peter, Paul & Mary, that Denver actually began to preform and sell his unintentional hit.
Ultimately, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” can be credited as one of Denver’s first truly successful hits as an artist and was a leading force behind his popularity as a singer. Ironically enough, the revenue generated from this song about travel, love, and inconsistency was finally enough to allow Denver to purchase a permanent house of his own, finally a place that he could label, “Home.” https://sites.psu.edu/agk5123/2014/09/15/leaving-on-a-jet-plane/
Aurélio Bastos
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The taxi's waiting, he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could cry
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I 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, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back, I'll wear your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I don't know when I'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, 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
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Aurélio Bastos
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.
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
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 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 wear your wedding ring
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
Well the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Then close your eyes and I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave you alone
About the times I won't have to say Goodbye
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
World of Gidget
If there was a song that represented all the young men heading to Viet Nam this one was it. America owes you a long overdue Thank you.
Phyllis Highsmith
My husband and I were newly weds Aug 1969 in December 1969 I was 18 he was 20 I dropped him off in Oakland Ca that was the song that was playing as he walked away to board the plane to Vietnam.
He came home one year later, we bought a home raised 4 kids have 8 grandchildren and this year Aug 2021 we will be married 52 years!
This song has always meant so much to me, and so many others from at era!
Tom
World of Gidget “Viet Nam”? Classic!
Jo Rae Perkins
This is the truth about this song. "...Denver’s inspiration for writing this song is clear, and being put simply, is a song about the difficult choice of whether or not to leave his loved one behind in order to pursue his career.
As a result of being the child of a military family, Denver spent the majority of his childhood moving from place to place. Likewise, attempting to make his way in life as a professional musician, Denver was forced to travel and live cross country, bouncing back and forth between lives and relationships that he had established. In his song, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” Denver sings about the difficulties that come with never being able to establish himself in one specific area and his longing for a permanent home. In addition, the song was inspired by Denver’s wife, Annie. Denver describes Annie as being the one person who finally grounded him in his life, and he felt that wherever she was, that was truly his home.
With this in mind, leaving behind the one place that he felt he truly belonged triggered many destructive behaviors in Denver involving affairs, alcohol abuse, and drug dependency. In spite of all of his flaws, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” was written and recorded as one last-ditch effort to save his relationship with Annie, his only true sense of foundation. In his song, Denver sings,
“There’s so many times I’ve let you down, So many times I’ve played around. I tell you now, they don’t mean a thing. Ev’ry place I go, I’ll think of you, Ev’ry song I sing, I’ll sing for you, When I come back, I’ll wear your wedding ring.”
John Denver 2In this straightforward plea, Denver forwardly admits to not being the best husband that he could be, but wants Annie to know that he will change everything in his life if only he can be with her. Without her, his life, as flawed and feeble as it may be, is entirely lost.
Interestingly enough, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” was actually never intended for the public audience. John Denver himself personally recorded the song and published it with his own money, distributing a select number of albums to only his closest family and friends. It was n'ot until the song was accidently released and performed by multiple cover bands, including the group Peter, Paul & Mary, that Denver actually began to preform and sell his unintentional hit.
Ultimately, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” can be credited as one of Denver’s first truly successful hits as an artist and was a leading force behind his popularity as a singer. Ironically enough, the revenue generated from this song about travel, love, and inconsistency was finally enough to allow Denver to purchase a permanent house of his own, finally a place that he could label, “Home.” https://sites.psu.edu/agk5123/2014/09/15/leaving-on-a-jet-plane/
Airbrush Ken
I was waiting for my flight to Vietnam with about 160 GI's and this dude played his hollow body and sang this song. I had left my wife and child at Metro Airport and was waiting at Ft Lewis, WA. My youth was lost, but I still remember those feelings... thanks.
jack prescott
Thank you for your service.
William Ploof
Thank you for your service. Vietnam Vets are many time forgotten...
R. Antonio
@Airbrush Ken
My father was a Marine in the Korean War. He passed on Sept 11, 2012. I miss him everyday. If you need someone to chat with I'm here. God Bless
Airbrush Ken
@R. Antonio I was the lucky one... the 101st Airborne inf units averaged 330 days in combat in 12 months. WWII American Vets Averaged around 40 days in the entire war. I've been exposed along with my whole "strike force team" to Dixon poisoning (Agent Orange) I've fought off 5 medical conditions directly related (according to the VA) Agent Orange. Including cancer, and my heart. I have two disabled sons born after the war. I live the war every day. Thanks for your kindness.
R. Antonio
Sounds like the beginning of a Oliver Stone flick. Glad you came back.