Jet Airliner

Steve Miller

About Jet Airliner

"Jet Airliner" is a song composed by Paul Pena in 1973 and popularized by the Steve Miller Band in 1977. Pena wrote and recorded "Jet Airliner" in 1973 for his New Train album. However, New Train was not released until 2000, due to conflicts between him and his label. Steve Miller decided to record the song for his band's Book of Dreams album in 1977, after hearing the unreleased album via Ben Sidran, who produced it, and who was formerly in Miller's band. The lyrics of the Steve Miller Band version are slightly different from the Pena original. Miller's performance of the main riff also is slightly different from Pena's original, which has a more funky edge to it. The song is also notable for an early reference to the catchphrase "keep on keepin' on", also found in John Lennon's 1974 song "Old Dirt Road" and in the Bob Dylan songs "Tangled Up in Blue" and "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere." It was concurrently released as a single, and reached No. 8 on the Billboard chart. In Canada, the song spent two weeks at No. 3. On classic rock radio, Miller's "Jet Airliner" is generally played in tandem with "Threshold", the all-synthesizer instrumental that precedes it on Book of Dreams and the Greatest Hits 1974–78 compilation. 


Year:
1994
4:23
44 

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Leavin' home, out on the road
I've been down before
Ridin' along in this big ol' jet plane
I've been thinkin' about my home
But my love light seems so far away
And I feel like it's all been done
Somebody's tryin' to make me stay
You know I've got to be movin' on

Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay

Goodbye to all my friends at home
Goodbye to people I've trusted
I've got to go out and make my way
I might get rich you know I might bet busted
But my heart keeps calling me backwards
As I get on the 707
Ridin' high I got tears in my eyes
You know you got to go through hell
Before you get to heaven

Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay

Touchin' down in New England town
Feel the heat comin' down
I've got to keep on keepin' on
You know the big wheel keeps on spinnin' around
And I'm goin' with some hesitation
You know that I can surely see
That I don't want to get caught up in any of that
Funky shit goin' down in the city

Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay

Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah

Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay

Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
Carry me to my home
Oh, oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's there that I belong

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Steve Miller

Steven H. "Steve" Miller (born October 5, 1943) is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter who began his career in blues and blues rock and evolved to a more pop-oriented sound which, from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s, resulted in a series of successful singles and albums. more »

4 fans

Written by: PAUL PENA

Lyrics © SAILOR MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


27 facts about this song

Origin
"Jet Airliner" was not actually written by Steve Miller but by Paul Pena, a blues singer-songwriter. Pena composed the song in 1973, but it didn't reach popularity until Steve Miller Band performed it.
Album Release
The song is one of the tracks in Steve Miller Band's album, "Book of Dreams," released in 1977. The album was very popular, reaching the second position on the Billboard 200 chart.
Chart Success
"Jet Airliner" itself was a huge hit and peaked at number 8 on Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977.
Lyrics Inspiration
Paul Pena wrote the song when he was feeling homesick on a flight to Boston. The lyrics reflect his anxieties over making a significant move from his rural home to a big city.
Second Version
There are two versions of the song("Jet Airliner") - a "slow" one by Paul Pena and a "fast" one by Steve Miller Band. Steve Miller's version is usually more recognized by the public.
Not in First Release
Although "Jet Airliner" is one of Paul Pena’s most famous songs, it was not included in his first two albums. It appeared on "New Train", which was recorded in 1973 but was not released until 2000.
Cover Song
Despite its popularity, "Jet Airliner" is not a staple song of Steve Miller himself. It's categorized as a cover song in Steve Miller Band's extensive list of tunes.
Musical Style
Considered a classic rock staple, "Jet Airliner" merges elements of rock and roll and blues.
Radio and TV Appearances
Since its release, "Jet Airliner" has been frequently played on classic rock radio stations and used in numerous films and TV shows, including "The Simpsons", contributing to its continuing popularity.
International Success
Not only was "Jet Airliner" successful in the US, but it also found success in Canada where it peaked at number 19 on the RPM Top Singles chart in 1977.
Virtual Performance
Steve Miller Band performed "Jet Airliner" in Activision's video game, Guitar Hero World Tour.
Live Concerts
"Jet Airliner" has been one of the biggest crowd-pleasers in Steve Miller Band's live concerts. It is often played as the last song of the set.
Special Technique
Steve Miller used a talkbox to modify his guitar sound on "Jet Airliner," a technique popular in the '70s rock music scenery.
Songwriter
"Jet Airliner" was not written by Steve Miller or any members of the Steve Miller Band, but by Paul Pena. Pena was an American singer-songwriter who drew influences from rhythm and blues, jazz, and folk genres.
Release Date
"Jet Airliner" was first released in 1977 as part of Miller's "Book of Dreams" album.
Chart Performance
The song experienced considerable commercial success, reaching No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Music Style
It is noted for its rock and roll style, with guitar-driven melodies and catchy chorus, making it one of the band's signature tunes.
Lyrics
Despite the upbeat tune, the lyrics of "Jet Airliner" express a reluctance to leave home and the fear of the changes that come with travel.
Original Version
The original version by Paul Pena was more of a blues song and was slowed down. Steve Miller changed the tempo and added rock elements, which made it a hit.
Pena's Album
Paul Pena's album that included "Jet Airliner" was not released until 2000, more than 20 years after Steve Miller Band's version became a hit.
Graphics
Miller's "Book of Dreams' cover showcases a “Pegasus” horse soaring through the air. This became a symbol of the Steve Miller Band and its powerful, soaring rock sound.
Airplane Sounds
In the long version, the song begins with the sound of a jet airliner landing.
Album Success
"Book of Dreams," which features "Jet Airliner," is one of Steve Miller's most commercially successful albums, having been certified 3x Platinum in the United States.
Popular Song
"Jet Airliner" is often one of the first songs that come to mind when the Steve Miller Band is mentioned. It continues to receive regular radio airplay.
Modern Culture
The song has been featured in several movies and TV shows, demonstrating its enduring popularity and cultural permeation.
Live Performance
"Jet Airliner" is a staple in the band's live performances and is often used as the closing number.
Cover Versions
Over the years, it has been covered by several other artists, including country singer Alan Jackson and rock band Motörhead.

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    Jet Airliner

    9.1M
    48,506     2,187

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1977

    Billboard #8


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