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Pilot of the Airwaves Lyrics
[Chorus:]
Pilot of the airwaves
Here is my request
You don't have to play it
But I hope you'll do your best
I've been listening to your show
On the radio
And you seem like a friend to me
Or a record of your choice
I don't mind, I'd be happy just to hear your voice
Saying this is for the girl
Who didn't sign her name
Yes, she needs a dedication just the same
[Bridge:]
Late at night I'm still listening
Don't waste my time chasing sleep
People say I look weary
But that's just the company I keep
Ooooh, you make the nighttime race
Ooooh, I don't need to see your face
You're sounding good (Sounding good)
Sounding good to me
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
You're sounding so good to me
[Chorus]
Oh, I've been listening to your show on the radio
And you seem like a friend to me
[Chorus]
Pilot of the airwaves
Here is my request
You don't have to play it
But I hope you'll do your best
I've been listening to your show
On the radio
And you seem like a friend to me
I don't mind, I'd be happy just to hear your voice
Saying this is for the girl
Who didn't sign her name
Yes, she needs a dedication just the same
Late at night I'm still listening
Don't waste my time chasing sleep
People say I look weary
But that's just the company I keep
Ooooh, you make the nighttime race
Ooooh, I don't need to see your face
You're sounding good (Sounding good)
Sounding good to me
And you seem like a friend to me
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This is one of my favorite songs from childhood. I was 9 when it was release and I wanted to be a DJ. I wanted to be that pilot. I've wanted to be one ever since! A dream unrealized except for a great stint in college at the campus station.
It's about as straightforward in its meaning as can be. Except, maybe not to generations after mine (Gen-X). I've done a test, and sent the link to this song to half a dozen late Millennials and Zoomers. None has heard it.
It no longer speaks to the shared experience of staying up late and waiting for the DJ to play "that song" (maybe you'll catch the title this time!). Local radio and its pilots no longer hold the near-mythical power to reach out and touch people's hearts they once did. Largely obsolete, replaced by nationally syndicated shows and ClearChannel streams, and now of course by streaming services like Spotify and Deezer.
I remember girls who fell in love with the gorgeous rich faceless voices on late night FM. And, were sometimes bitterly disappointed when they saw that radio personality in a TV interview or whatever, and he was 300 lb with a scruffy beard! I remember calling in requests and waiting ah hour til they came up - hitting "record" on the cassette deck just in time if you were lucky.
Although they'll pry my on-demand streaming services out of my cold dead hands, I miss the power of old local radio, often staffed 24/7 by multiple shifts of pilots of the airwaves. I miss the sense of community that formed around certain shows at certain times. Coming to school on Monday and talking about, 'Hey did you catch that live show on CHOM?" "No I couldn't pull the station this weekend (it's in Canada and the weather's bad)". "Damn we need a HAM rig with a real antenna". "HAM is mostly AM, though, need an FM demodulator..."
My friends & I were radio-heads. This song did then, does now, and will forever hold a special place in my heart.
[Edit: Sent by accident ]