Leaving on a Jet Plane
Fiona Apple/Bjork Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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, its 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,
I dont 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 been around, but
I don't know, 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.

(Chorus)

Now the time has come to leave you,
one more time oh let me kiss you...
Now close your eyes and I'll be on my way.
Dream about the days to come
when I wont have to leave alone
about the times that I wont have to say...

(Chorus)

And I'm leaving on a jet plane
don't know when I'll be back again.
Oh babe I hate to go

but I'm leaving on a jet plane
leaving on a jet plane
leaving on a jet plane
leaving on a jet plane
leaving on a jet plane
leaving on a jet plane
leaving on a jet plane
leaving on a jet plane




leaving on a jet plane
on a jet plane.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fiona Apple/Bjork's song 'Leaving On A Jet Plane' speak of the pain of leaving a loved one and the reassurance of an imminent reunion. The first verse sets the scene with the singer packing their bags and standing outside their love's door, already feeling the pangs of loneliness. The dawn is breaking, and the taxi's horn sounds, reminding them that they must leave. The singer knows they will miss their loved one, and they hate to have to wake them to say goodbye. This sets up the central theme of the song, the singer's attempt to reconcile the excitement of their journey with the sorrow of leaving behind someone they care for deeply.


The chorus reinforces the love that the singer feels, asking their partner to kiss them and smile and tell them that they'll be waiting for them. The singer is asking for their partner's reassurance that they are important and loved while they are away. The song highlights the fear of being alone and separated from someone who gives comfort and companionship.


In the second verse, the singer acknowledges the times they've let their partner down and toys with the idea that their love doesn't mean anything to them, but the emotions are too strong for them to dismiss. They confess that they think of their lover everywhere they go and sing to them with each song they perform. The singer longs to return and wear their love's wedding ring, which suggests a strong desire for commitment and reassurance.


Overall, the song is bittersweet, capturing the longing for someone who is not present, the pain of separation, and the hope of a reunion. The rich and melancholic melody captures the range of emotions, and the ascending and descending chord structure emphasizes the vulnerability of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I have prepared everything and I am ready to leave.


I'm standing here outside your door
I am right outside your door, about to leave.


I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
I am sorry for waking you up just to say goodbye.


but the dawn is breaking, its early morn
It is early morning and the sun is already rising.


the taxi's waiting he's blowin' his horn
The taxi is waiting for me outside and the driver is honking his horn.


Already, I'm so lonesome I could die.
I am already feeling very lonely and sad.


So kiss me and smile for me.
Please give me a kiss and a smile before I leave.


Tell me that you'll wait for me.
Promise me that you will wait for me to come back.


Hold me like you'll never let me go.
Embrace me tightly as if you never want to let me go.


Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane,
I am leaving on a plane that will take me far away.


I dont know when I'll be back again.
I am not sure when I will return home.


Oh babe I hate to go.
I hate to leave you behind, my dear.


There's so many times I've let you down,
I have disappointed you many times before.


so many times I've been around, but
I have been present many times, but it doesn't matter now.


I don't know, they don't mean a thing.
I don't know if those things matter or not.


Every place I go I think of you,
Wherever I go, you are always in my thoughts.


every song I sing, I sing for you.
I am dedicating all the songs I sing to you.


When I come back I'll wear your wedding ring.
When I return, I will wear the ring that symbolizes our commitment.


(Chorus)
Refrain


Now the time has come to leave you,
The moment has arrived for me to say goodbye.


one more time oh let me kiss you...
Allow me to give you one more kiss.


Now close your eyes and I'll be on my way.
Close your eyes and I will leave.


Dream about the days to come
Think about the future we will have together in your dreams.


when I wont have to leave alone
When I won’t have to leave you by yourself anymore.


about the times that I wont have to say...
The times when I won't have to say goodbye anymore.


(Chorus)
Refrain


And I'm leaving on a jet plane
And I am departing on an airplane.


leaving on a jet plane
Departing on an airplane.


leaving on a jet plane
Going away on an airplane.


leaving on a jet plane
Taking off on an airplane.


leaving on a jet plane
Departing on a plane that flies high and fast.


leaving on a jet plane
Saying farewell while boarding a modern aircraft.


leaving on a jet plane
Saying goodbye while heading to the airport.


leaving on a jet plane
Departing on a plane that will fly me far away.


leaving on a jet plane
Leaving behind everything I know on a flying vehicle.


on a jet plane.
On an airplane that speeds me away from your side.




Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Denver

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ChipmunkMix67

This was one of the last songs me and my brother listened to before he left for Afghanistan. Every time I listen to it makes me think he's there with me. :D Hope you're okay in Afghanistan Josh. Good luck, xxx

@Spookyiozz

Did he ever come home?

@67chickadee

@MissSheetFaced -- this is so beautiful. You are blessed to be touched by life this way.

@Leo55BabyBoomer

Thank you...Thank you...thank you! This takes me back to the 70's. Boston (Logan Airport), heading back home to family, yet wanting to stay in Cambridge, MA. for my own reasons. ( I still remember your name, and, eating pattie melts at "Friendly's)

@PhilippeRR1

I had never heard of that singer before! Thanks for presenting her to us BILISMAIL! Right up there with Peter Paul and Mary (and Mary TRAVERS alone).

@audacityofthemind8348

Absolutely love this rendition of this classic song🙌🏽👌🏽

@chelsizieger

This is the song my mom sang to me as a litlle girl...what i would give to hear her sing it again!!... Love you mom R.I.P <3

@Spookyiozz

I hope you remember this sweet comment 13 years later🥺🤍

@zmayster

miss u Macha , ur definatly one of the kind ,

@birgitmitchell6707

Heading to Europe tomorrow...ciao Italia, hallo Deutschland

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