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My Gen X Playlist: Leaving on a Jet Plane – John Denver

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If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I know it’s a chick flick. I get some heat from the guys. But I’ll own up to it. I really like the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. What’s not to like about a redemption story, rediscovering life and self in beautiful Tuscany. I also read the book, but prefer Hollywood’s touch and storytelling. It’s worth watching.

I once spent a week in Tuscany enjoying the Chianti countryside. Whenever I’m reminded of that trip, I think about old villas, vineyard sunsets, Italian ice and sunflowers.

There are older villages in Italy that are slowly dying off. The young are leaving the countryside in search of life in the city. In order to revitalize these towns, they are offering houses for sale for one dollar. The houses are old and run down, in need of some TLC. A condition of purchase is they must be restored. When I read the article, Under the Tuscan Sun came streaming back. I’ve got a dollar burning a hole in my pocket right now. Something to daydream about.

Daydreaming about leaving to live abroad is a wonderful distraction. It’s nice to take a moment and get lost in the thought. I wonder if I’d ever have the courage to pack up and go. I’d like to think so. It’s the goodbyes that would be difficult. It makes me think about Leaving on a Jet Plane, not because of leaving a loved one behind. It’s more about the feeling of leaving.

“This is a very personal and very special song for me. It doesn’t conjure up Boeing 707s or 747s for me as much as it does the simple scenes of leaving. Bags packed and standing by the front door, taxi pulling up in the early morning hours, the sound of a door closing behind you, and the thought of leaving someone that you care for very much.

– Songfacts

Leaving something is never easy, especially if it’s something you’ve only ever known.

One door closes, another one opens.

Taking a step through the doorway, reaching back to close the one behind you. Extending forward, opening a new one ahead of you. It feels like two separate leaps of faith. And maybe it is. But it wouldn’t be a dream without a little bit of faith, would it?

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say good-bye
But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn
The taxi's waiting He's blowing his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die
So kiss me and smile for me, tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now they don't mean a thing
Every place I go I'll think of you
Every song I sing I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Then close your eyes, I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come when I won't have to leave alone
About the times I won't have to say
Kiss me and smile for me, tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

16 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Leaving on a Jet Plane – John Denver”

  2. Your post brings two thoughts to mind… first, buying a villa in the Tuscan countryside for a $1?! Go for it! Second, I hate goodbyes. Your image of packed bags waiting by the door fills me with dread. My daughters traveled the world in their teens and early twenties. Every time I had to drive them to the airport, I cried. But picking them up was amazing! They are both living in town now. That makes my mother’s heart happy! 😁

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  3. i’ve never been to tuscany, but i did see the movie! beautiful scenery! oh, and i tried the oranges in the oatmeal this morning, but i found the oranges to be a little too bitter tasting for my preferences (i added some orange slices while cooking and some raw on top). i ended up adding more brown sugar which helped, and while i ate what i prepared, i’ll be sticking to blueberries and walnuts! but thanks for the suggestion! i like to try new things 🙂

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  5. “Leaving something is never easy, especially if it’s something you’ve only ever known.” This makes me think of the day we left the coast. It was so bittersweet. I had always known the ocean and, although we are only about 4-5 hours away now, it is a significant distance that requires some planning. I miss it, honestly. It’s hard not to. But the trade has been worth it.

    For a long time we used to think about moving to all sorts of places. All of them were very different and very far away. I think we were looking for something in our hearts. We’ve lived here for almost two years and, although we do think about moving out of this tiny home, we don’t want to be anywhere else geographically. So I think maybe the urge to go somewhere far away is a need for some change in life?

    PS. Chic flicks rock. 🙂

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  6. It’s a very poignant song. Thanks for sharing it and the complementing thoughts from your life and the movie. And yes, leaving/leaving something behind can be among the hardest things we do, and also the most transformational.

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  7. The film was fantastic! And I daydreamed to live in that house in Tuscany. lol
    I left my country and moved to the US. My plan was to get a higher education degree and move again somewhere else, but here I am…12 years later…still living in the US. 😊
    And it was not an easy journey!

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    1. I hope one day you can enjoy the beauty of Tuscany. Sunflowers and vineyards await you…

      When I read your comment, the first thought that came to mind is most meaningful journeys are not always the easiest. Enjoy life!

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