Leaving on a Jet Plane (3:37)

“Leaving on a Jet Plane” is a song written by John Denver in 1967 and recorded by the Mitchell Trio that year. The original title of the song was “Oh Babe I Hate To Go” but Denver’s then producer, Milt Okun, convinced him to change the title. Denver wrote the song after his flight was delayed. John Denver’s version of his song, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, was included on his 1969 debut solo album, Rhymes and Reasons.

Other artists recorded the song in 1967, including Spanky & Our Gang and Peter, Paul and Mary on Album 1700. It did not become a hit until Peter, Paul and Mary released it as a single in 1969. It turned out to be their biggest (and final) hit, becoming their only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song also spent three weeks atop the easy listening chart.