Michael Cook
- Apr 23, 2021
- 2 min read

Leaving on a Jet Plane - Peter, Paul & Mary (1969-70) 4/23/21

It's the third and final day of our look back at the #1 songs of December of 1969 that were still on the charts when 1970 began.

Billboard's very first Hot 100 chart of the new decade showed "Raindrops Keep falling On My Head" by B.J Thomas at #1. (Read my blog entry from 6/22/20 here: (https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/188445902628865).

The chart also showed that "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Peter Paul & Mary was at #2. The song had been #1 the week before Christmas in '69, and was obviously still going strong.

The song first saw the light of day in 1966 when John Denver wrote "Babe, I Hate to Go" for his debut solo album, "John Denver Sings."

His producer disliked the title and convinced John to change it. Smart move.

In 1967, the song was recorded by The Chad Mitchell Trio (of which John was a member at the time). Spanky & Our Gang recorded a version as well.

Also in 1967, Peter, Paul & Mary recorded it for "Album 1700," but for some reason, it wasn't released as a single until 1969.

The wait was worth it. "Leaving on a Jet Plane" was Peter, Paul & Mary's first and only #1 song, reaching the top on the Hot 100 and Easy Listening Charts in both the US and Canada. In the UK and Ireland, it went to #2.

Unfortunately, it was also their last hit, but going out on top is always something to be proud of. Trivia: United Airlines used the song in their commercials throughout most of the '70s. "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul & Mary and written by John Denver: truly a "Great Song of 1969-70. Peter, Paul & Mary: