# Songs about planes and flying **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 31, 2025, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675 "2025-01-31T13:07:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/201 "2025-02-09T15:11:08Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > There’s also “Satellite of Love” by Lou Reed (featuring David Bowie). _🎶 In the not too distant future Next Sunday, A.D. There was a guy named Joel Not too different from… . 🎵_ I screwed up. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/202 "2025-02-09T22:45:09Z")
Jimmy Buffett, “The Weather is Here, I Wish You Were Beautiful” has one verse about flying: 🎶 _Well, he’s on his third drink before the wheels of the plane leave the ground_ _Makin’ points with the stewardess high over Long Island Sound_ _She’s also spending some time on the island_ _Too much city madness gives her the blues_ _They make a date to go dancing and dining_ _It seems neither has that much to lose_ 🎵 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/203 "2025-02-10T00:43:11Z")
_Carry On My Wayward Son_ ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/204 "2025-02-10T10:37:15Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Two Joni Mitchell songs: > > _This Flight Tonight_… Where I first heard it: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ylW6sC6NNhY/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgYCgvMA8=&rs=AOn4CLCwShQYViQoFGQiwXyLPr9-cl8xOA "Nazareth - This Flight Tonight") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylW6sC6NNhY) Took a long time to occur to me, but Brother Jonny. he caught a plane and he got on it… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/z_gEPGucoRg/maxresdefault.jpg "Mink DeVille Spanish Stroll (Live) HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_gEPGucoRg) Not really about flying, apart from the title: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/c4RF_Soe24s/maxresdefault.jpg "Phil Manzanera / 801 - Flight 19 (1977)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4RF_Soe24s) j ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/205 "2025-02-10T10:47:10Z")
Ooops - forgot this aside, and it’s too much effort to go back and edit something with YouTube links in… When I was, oh, I dunno - 20? - there was an urban myth (remember them?) about a famous jazz song written to celebrate the imminent arrival of the Hindenburg in the US: _There’ll be a hot time in Lakehurst New Jersey when the Hindenburg lands tonight_. The point of the myth being, of course, that there was a very hot time. Just googling now, I can find plenty of evidence for the myth but none for the song - anyone else remember this? Anyone know if there actually was such a song? j ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/206 "2025-02-10T11:02:33Z")
Just discovered _[Hurricane Fighter Plane](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DT4AfWmgjhxc&ved=2ahUKEwjzqfT5-biLAxWI7TgGHXe4EpMQ78AJegQIEBAB&usg=AOvVaw0xdVb6FJ-RegGUPRA948Id)_ by **Alien Sex Fiend** was actually a cover of a 60s song by **[Red Krayola](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D3h03mh0MEMU&ved=2ahUKEwjMupqW-biLAxXg8jgGHQZcKrMQ78AJegQIDhAB&usg=AOvVaw3axmLAtrukekQraAvejsPw)**. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/207 "2025-02-10T14:39:37Z")
I’m not sure if it counts, but I’ll offer up [50 Mission Cap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOxHRMdgdHM&ab_channel=TheTragicallyHipVEVO) by The Tragically Hip. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/208 "2025-02-10T16:19:20Z")
I looked up the lyrics-- other than the title phrase there’s nothing about flying, but I got the ‘50 Mission Cap’ reference: if memory serves, it comes from the novel ‘Catch 22’ in which a character who flies WWII bombing missions is looking forward to going home soon, since he’s almost at the 35 mission cap…until the cap suddenly gets extended to 50. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/209 "2025-02-10T16:27:54Z")
Well, as you say the 50 mission cap is related to WWII pilots. Also, Bill Barilko, who the song is about, died and was missing for years after a plane crash… ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/210 "2025-02-10T16:33:44Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Also, Bill Barilko, who the song is about, died and was missing for years after a plane crash… Ah, did not know that, thanks! Speaking of the Tragically Hip, just a little personal anecdote: I saw them live in the ampitheater of the Toledo Zoo back in the…late 80s, early 90s, I’d say. Great show. Just before they started, Gord Downie yelled out “_ **we’re going to wake up some animals tonight!** _” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/211 "2025-02-11T00:05:44Z")
[Drive-By Truckers - Shut Your Mouth and Get Your Ass On The Plane](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8sHQWqUA-E) [Angels And Fuselage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhLrKGEwhKQ) ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/212 "2025-02-11T01:48:49Z")
I came to post this one… Glad it is represented. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/213 "2025-02-11T01:54:13Z")
This was missed so far as I know. [Steam powered areoplane]() ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/214 "2025-02-11T01:55:09Z")
---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/215 "2025-02-11T01:55:44Z")
aww geez… ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/216 "2025-02-11T05:43:47Z")
Well, I hope the rent ain’t too high on **ThatSpace** [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AV7ZTwqC8ZI/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGHIgXyg3MA8=&rs=AOn4CLD4W-mtzNwoXlBh18tbV1DDKuLetg "John Hartford - Steam Powered Aereo Plane") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV7ZTwqC8ZI) ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/217 "2025-02-11T05:53:06Z")
> [@solost](#): > > **Fire and Rain** > - James Taylor > _Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground_ That line was about the breakup of his band _Flying Machine_. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/218 "2025-02-11T06:02:51Z")
Five Miles Out by Mike Oldfield [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/sEHed2T6Grk/maxresdefault.jpg "Five Miles Out (2013 Remaster)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEHed2T6Grk) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/219 "2025-02-11T13:26:55Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > > [@solost](#): > > > > _Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground_ > > That line was about the breakup of his band _Flying Machine_. Did not know that, thanks! I had always heard that, based on these opening lines: _Just yesterday mornin’, they let me know you were gone_ _Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you_ …plus the “_Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground_” line, a myth was created that James Taylor was in a long distance relationship with a woman named Suzanne, and was moping around because he missed her. So his friends chipped in to buy her a plane ticket to come see him, and the plane crashed. I knew _that_ story wasn’t true, but I didn’t know about the band ‘Flying Machine’. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675/220 "2025-02-11T14:51:19Z")
Frank Sinatra, “Come Fly With Me’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-planes-and-flying/1013675.md?page=12)