The desk where you sit inside of a frame made of
Made of, of wood
I keep those chopsticks you had from when you taught abroad
Taught abroad in Japan

I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back

I did not know you as well as my father
Father knew you
Every question you took the time to sit and look it up
Look it up in the encyclopedia

I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back

I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back, yeah

It sounds like we would've had a great deal to say
To say to each other
I bet when I leave my body for the sky the wait
The wait will be worth it

I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back

I love it all
So much I call
I want you back, back, back
You back


Lyrics submitted by nylon1979

Airplanes Lyrics as written by Kelcey Paul Ayer Andrew Jeffrey Hamm

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Airplanes song meanings
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27 Comments

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  • +6
    Song Meaning

    Hello Everyone! I hate to give away the full meaning behind the song, as I really like seeing everyone's interpretation (and believe they created the song so other people could color it with their own meaning).. But I am a family friend of one of the band members and can shed some light on the meaning behind this song for those of you who are curious!

    This song is about Kelcey Ayer's grandfather, who passed away before he was old enough to get to really know him personally. Kelcey's father, whom is a pilot (hence the airplanes title), would often tell him stories about the grandfather he didn't get to truly know. His grandfather was a devoutly religious person, and spent some of his youth as a missionary in Japan (the chopsticks were a reminder of his time there). What is left of his grandfather now are these great stories and pictures framed throughout the house. Kelcey admires his grandfather and often things that if he were still around, they would have had a lot of stories to share and memories to create with one another. He looks forward to the day that they will be reunited in heaven.

    Hope that helps clear things up!

    Faroreswindon October 07, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    oh my goddddd, so good. i seriously can't believe they don't have more recognition - which is a good thing.

    but seriously - "I bet when I leave my body for the sky the wait will be worth it" GENIUS!

    shipsandshoeson December 17, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song makes me so happy. I love these guys. If you ever get a chance, go see them live.

    labeano2002on January 07, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I know this song is about a dead grandfather, but it definitely helps during a bad breakup.

    I want you back.

    indiewinraron September 21, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    seriously, one of the few new groups that i can actually get excited about. amazing songs, even more amazing live show. (which is extremely rare these days) definitely looking forward to what this band does in the future.

    markallenon March 20, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Definetaly about the loss of a loved one. i did a cover of this song at my grandfather's funeral. it really pulls at the heart strings. i want so much to see these guy's live from the videos, they look like they put on an amazing show and they don't even need instruments just some drum sticks and a tree haha

    bbro25on August 27, 2009   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    A young person's memory of and longing for a late grandparent is what the song says to me.

    Brilliant use of simple yet precise lines

    Huginon March 08, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this is so beautiful. i can only hope im as admired by someone as the subject of this song when i die.

    whyhelloon May 07, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    When I read the lyrics I just started bawling. My grandad passed when I was very young, but I remember he had this big desk where he used to do his crosswords and I miss him so much!

    Beautifullywaistedon December 14, 2010   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    If you listen to the first minute or so they tell you what the song is about. youtube.com/watch

    lovelocalnatives11on May 18, 2011   Link

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