Monday, January 25, 2016

Song of the Day: 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' by John Denver


If everything goes according to plan, I will be leaving on a jet plane for Los Angeles today -- although I do know when I'll be back again. Thought to post this song after hearing it on the PBS documentary about John Denver that's streaming on Netflix now. It's almost hard to believe this now, but for a handful of years the early to mid-1970s, John Denver truly was one of the biggest stars around, with No. 1 records, television specials, and even a smash movie. (Frank Sinatra was dying to work with John!) More importantly, though, the film reminded me that Denver, who wasn't from Colorado but had adopted it as his home after falling in love with its natural beauty, was ahead of his time in fighting for environmental causes, promoting sustainable living, aiding the poor and the hungry, campaigning for Jimmy Carter, criticizing the Reagan administration and even working to end the African AIDS crisis. Denver was never a favorite of the critics, but there's no denying his sweet hits were the soundtrack to a certain moment in American history. 


UPDATE: Spoke too soon--flight to LAX canceled ... again. Rebooked for tomorrow ... again. Might be a photo finish to Susanna Hoffs, or this hero may take a fall!

1 comment:

mike/ said...

great song! it didn't become a 'hit' until Peter, Paul & Mary released it. so many other covered it also. my favorite version is the Judy Collins where she sang it with his other hit "Take Me Home Country Roads" as a medley...