The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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 die.
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,
But 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 bring your wedding ring.
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.
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.
'cause I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again,
Oh, babe, I hate to go.
I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again,
Oh, babe, I hate 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 die.
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,
But 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 bring your wedding ring.
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.
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.
'cause I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again,
Oh, babe, I hate to go.
I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again,
Oh, babe, I hate to go.
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Leaving On A Jet Plane Lyrics as written by John Denver
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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