10 Songs About Airplanes
What do you listen to before the in-flight entertainment starts? Why, songs about airplanes, of course! Here, TPG Contributor Otis Wright highlights 10 of our favorite tunes to taxi to — with YouTube videos for each in case you want to rock out while you read.
Musicians have been writing about airplanes almost as long as they've been hopping in them to get from gig to gig. While it's true most of what they have to say about flying usually involves how sick they are of being in airplanes, their complaints make for some fine toe-tapping while you're waiting for your A320 to taxi to the runway. The list below is by no means comprehensive, but includes some of our favorites. Rock on, travelers, rock on.
1. "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul and Mary
Written by John Denver in 1966, and most popularly remembered for Peter, Paul and Mary's 1969 recording, "Leaving on a Jet Plane" ("Don't know when I'll be back again ... When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring") manages to combine the wistfulness of an airport farewell with the promise of a love fulfilled, at least eventually.
2. "Jet Airliner" by the Steve Miller Band
You'll have to update the 1977 reference to the Boeing 707, but the message, about how homesickness starts as soon as you board the plane, remains as relevant as ever.
3. "Jet Boy, Jet Girl" by The Damned
Released in 1977 by Elton Motello (with a repurposed melody shared with Plastic Bertrand's "Ça Plane Pour Moi"), innuendo-laden promises of global travel punctuate a tale of the thwarted seduction of a 15-year-old boy. There have been many covers, notably those of the New York Dolls and Sonic Youth, but the version by The Damned is arguably tops.
4. "Aeroplane Blues" by The Black Keys
The Ohio garage rockers narrate the nihilistic mutterings of an airplane passenger numbed by drugs, sleepless nights and endless travels, in 2004. Despite his invitation to take a seat, he's probably not the guy you want to spend a long haul next to.
5. "Paper Planes" by M.I.A.
Though only nominally plane-related, the controversial British singer's 2007 indictment of America's endless pursuit of money and its ostracism of immigrants is an infectious song that'll have you making "pyoo-pyoo ka-ching" noises while questioning the effectiveness of our visa system.
6. "5:30 Plane" by The Supremes
What is it about airplanes and the potential end of relationships? The legendary Motown group (minus Diana Ross) squeezes out every ounce of ambivalence and pathos from the 1972 story of two people who seriously need couples counseling — and a woman who could really benefit from keeping to a flight schedule.
7. "Hold That Plane" by Buddy Guy
Channeling the anxiety of every business traveler who's ever gotten a late start to the day, the Chicago blues great obviously wrote this 1972 song after way too much time on the road.
8. "This Plane" by Wiz Khalifa
The lead single and one of the better entries from Wiz Khalifa's 2009 Deal or No Deal album, "This Plane" — in which he unapologetically celebrates the success of his career — is best appreciated from first class.
9. "Blues From an Airplane" by Jefferson Airplane
Naturally we had to find some way to fit in a song about airplanes by the most famous band with, y'know, the word "airplane" in it. This early Jefferson Airplane song, from the debut 1966 album Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, reminds listeners about the quintessential loneliness of air travel.
10. "Shut Up and Get on the Plane" by the Drive-By Truckers
Yet another song that seems rooted in the weariness of life on the road — obviously an occupational hazard — this 2001 song by the Southern alt-rockers from Athens, Georgia, was actually inspired by what Ronnie Van Zant said to the rest of Lynyrd Skynyrd when they balked at taking their fateful last flight in 1977.
What are your favorite songs about airplanes? Are there others you'd add to this list?
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.