The song "Leaving on a Jet Plane" was originally written and recorded by John Denver in 1966. It tells the story of a person who is about to leave their loved one, but they are reluctant to go. They express their sadness about leaving and the uncertain future of their relationship. In the song, the narrator is standing outside their partner's door, ready to leave. They apologize for waking their partner up and express their sadness about saying goodbye. The dawn is breaking, indicating that it's early morning and they have to catch a taxi to the airport. The narrator already feels lonely just thinking about leaving. They ask their partner to kiss them, smile, and tell them that they'll wait for their return. They want to be held tightly, as if they'll never be let go. The repeated line "I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again" reflects the uncertainty of their return. They express their dislike for leaving and the pain it causes them. The narrator acknowledges the times they have let their partner down or played around in the past but assures them that those actions don't mean anything anymore. They promise to think of their partner in every place they go and sing every song for them. They also mention bringing a wedding ring when they come back, hinting at a more significant commitment. As the time to leave approaches, the narrator asks for one more kiss and tells their partner to close their eyes while they depart. They encourage their partner to dream about the future when they won't have to leave alone and won't have to say goodbye. The song ultimately portrays a heartfelt sentiment of reluctance, sadness, and longing for the narrator's partner. It captures the bittersweet emotions of leaving a loved one behind, unsure of what the future holds.
