Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair
Richard Thompson Lyrics


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Jet plane in a rocking chair
Roller coaster roll nowhere
Deaf and dumb old dancing bear
I'll change this heart of mine
This time, this time

Sea cruise in a diving bell
Run a mile in a wishing well
Soft soap and nothing to sell
I'll change this heart of mine
This time, this time

Here comes the real thing
I've been waiting, for so long
For so long
I've been looking for a love like you.

Crossed-line on the telephone
Crossed eyes and a canny moan
Cross fingers and head for home
I'll change this heart of mine
This time, this time

Play sick in a feather bed
Act cool when you're stony dead
I'm a fool with a size one head
I'll change this heart of mine
This time, this time

Here comes the real thing
I've been waiting, for so long
For so long
I've been looking for a love like you

Jet plane in a rocking chair
Roller coaster roll nowhere
Deaf and dumb old dancing bear
I'll change this heart of mine
This time, this time




This time, this time
This time, this time

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of "Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair" by Richard & Linda Thompson contrasts images of flight and stillness to depict the conflicting emotions of the singer, who is yearning for change in his life. The jet plane, a symbol of modern technology and high-speed travel, is juxtaposed with the image of a rocking chair, typically associated with relaxation and a slower pace of life. The roller coaster, which can be thrilling but ultimately goes nowhere, represents the sense of stagnation that the singer is experiencing. The deaf and dumb old dancing bear represents the idea of going through the motions of life without really feeling or experiencing anything.


The chorus suggests that the singer has been waiting for something real and meaningful to come into his life. He has been searching for a love like the one that he is now experiencing. The lyrics portray a sense of hope and resolve as the singer declares that he will change his heart this time.


Throughout the rest of the song, the lyrics continue to convey the singer's sense of frustration and desire for change. The crossed-line on the telephone and the crossed eyes suggest a sense of confusion and miscommunication in the singer's life, while the scene of playing sick in a feather bed portrays a sense of being trapped and unable to act. The repeated declaration that "I'll change this heart of mine/This time, this time" reinforces the idea of the singer's desire to break free from his old patterns and ways of thinking.


Overall, "Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair" is a song that explores the themes of stagnation, frustration, and the desire for change. The lyrics use a series of vivid images to convey the singer's conflicting emotions and desire for something more meaningful.


Line by Line Meaning

Jet plane in a rocking chair
Comparing the thrill of riding a jet plane to the comfort and stability of sitting in a rocking chair


Roller coaster roll nowhere
Riding a rollercoaster with no direction, going up and down without getting anywhere


Deaf and dumb old dancing bear
A metaphor for someone who is unaware of their own foolishness, dancing without realizing how foolish they appear


I'll change this heart of mine
Expressing a desire to change one's own perspective or emotions


This time, this time
Emphasizing the determination to change and do better


Sea cruise in a diving bell
A contrasting image of being underwater in a diving bell while on a sea cruise, suggesting a feeling of isolation and confinment in the midst of adventure


Run a mile in a wishing well
The impossibility of physically running in a well while simultaneously associating that with wishing for something that may never come true


Soft soap and nothing to sell
Referring to a person who is trying to flatter or deceive without actually providing anything of value


Here comes the real thing
Anticipation of something genuine and meaningful


I've been waiting, for so long
Emphasizing the length and intensity of the anticipation


I've been looking for a love like you
The anticipation of finding someone who is sincere and true


Crossed-line on the telephone
A metaphor for communication that is clouded or misunderstood


Crossed eyes and a canny moan
A person's inability to see clearly and express themselves in a meaningful way


Cross fingers and head for home
The hope of good fortune in hopes that going home will bring happiness


Play sick in a feather bed
Feigning illness or weakness while in a comfortable and luxurious situation


Act cool when you're stony dead
Pretending to be unfazed or unbothered even in death


I'm a fool with a size one head
Admitting to being foolish and naive




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

sounddart

People really do complain a lot rather than accept what an artist expresses. This is brilliant and perfect, no complaints here!!!

MikeNC2371

Pour Down Like Silver is my favorite, I think, from that era. Thanks for bringing this to YouTube!

ryan hurl

Her voice is perfect.

lyonslaforet

Richard & Linda Thompson worked wonders together!

davidlenander

Perhaps the "wrong miking" has to do with which voice people would rather hear--it was often said then that Richard's voice was an "acquired taste." He's gotten to be very much better since then, and of course, many (including me) liked him well enough. But she had (and has) a phenomenal voice. I'm partly kidding here, about the miking and Richard's singing, but not about LInda's.

Karen Beadling

On the self-titled album on which this song was originally featured, there was a dominant melody line, sung mostly by Linda, if I remember right. I prefer that version to this, but I think I can hear it only in memory. Unless there's a youtube of that version somewhere.

DealReal12

Karen Beadling There is now Karen as of October 2017 anyway.

Pissankle

@neilapayne Linda is singing the dominant melody. Richard will occasionally sing the tonic notes as well, which will make it sound confusing, but he his primarily singing 3rd and 5th harmonies. So, while it is clearly written best as a duet, if you are to perform it alone, sing Linda's part.

Herbie Derbie

Beautiful.

Marcortlieb

I liked the original, but this mix has grown on me.

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