Leaving on a Jet Plane (John Denver cover)

I can't believe I'm one of these because I've never started a thread. But I am really surprised that i'm the first to comment. I grew up listening to them and they were actually the first concert I ever went to. I think I was around six years old. Anyhow, this was always my favorite by them. Now the song holds a very personal meaning to me. Basically, she is saying that things are going to change and never be the same. But it doesn't necessarily have to be the end of the world because the love she has for him will never change.

A break down:

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, it's early morn The taxi's waiting, he's blowing his horn Already I'm so lonesome I could cry

She's announcing that this inevitable change is now taking place. This is heartbreaking for her and him but the circumstances are out of their control and she wants him to know how hard this is for her. She doesn't want to say goodbye because it won't be forever but the transformation is underway so they should both be prepared to handle it.

So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go I'm leaving on a jet plane I don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go

No matter how hard this is, she hopes he'll be happy for her and vice a versa. She can't promise or guarantee when she'll be back but when she leaves, she's never really gone. They will always be in eachothers hearts and she'll always be there for him anytime he needs her. She might not be quite as available like in the past. But he can always reach her if he needs to. She might not have the time to continue or do the things they once did but that's what texting, checking emails periodically and things of that nature are for.

There's so many times I've let you down So many times I've played around I tell you now, 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

She wants him to know that she is truly sorry for everytime she hurt him. But she knows that they have finally came to an understanding and have forgiven eachother for past mistakes. Mainly because they now understand eachother and why certain things may have took place to begin with. She is reassuring him that her heart will always be with him and he will always be on her mind and he is her one and only. Also, that hopefully one day and some how they will be together again when the time is right.

So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go I'm leaving on a jet plane I don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go

(above)

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

The time is here but she's pleading for him to understand everything and to think about what might be one day. In the mean time, to live his life to the fullest and do what makes him happy. Even if it means moving on (not completely) but finding someone to love and that loves him. This is harder for her than he'll ever realize but she knows in her heart that she is his one and only too. And that whoever he ends up with or ever loves will never compare to her or the love they share.

So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go I'm leaving on a jet plane I don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go

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

To reiterate: If he needs her, he has to be willing to reach out to her to let her know. He might have to come out of his comfort zone a bit. She literally won't have the time to check a million things like before, so try and narrow it down so she will know. He knows how he can do this so he can't be upset or surprised if she doesn't respond like usual(because she won't be searching in a million places because she can't). (So he will have no choice but to be more clear and be normal about it if he wants to communicate with her or needs her.)She can and will always make the time to check here and there. But things have to change in order to make it work or for them to still be in eachothers lives. blah blah blah

I always understood it to be an anti-war song. The man is leaving for Vietnam. That's why it was so popular as a peacenik folk song in the '60s.