I have unintentionally started a new tradition, or superstition if you will, and that is to listen to Aces High by Iron Maiden prior to flight. So that leads me to the question, what are your favorite aviation related song (s).
For me,
Aces High Iron Maiden
Tailgunner Iron Maiden
Come Fly With Me Sinatra (gotta TWA Connie on the front of the record! )
and honorable mention is Buddy Holly, ‘Brown Eyed Handsome Man’ with the line ‘Flying Cross the desert in a TWA’
In the early morning rain, with a dollar in my hand
With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
I’m a long way from home, and I miss my loved one so
In the early morning rain with no place to go
Out on runway number nine, big 707 set to go
But I’m stuck here on the ground where the cold winds blow
Well the liquor tasted good and the women were all fast
There she goes my friend, o she’s rolling now at last
Here the mighty engines roar, see the silver bird on high
She’s away and westward bound, high above the clouds she’ll fly
Where the early rain don’t fall and the sun always shines
She’ll be flying o’er my home in about three hours time
This old airport’s got me down, it’s no earthly use to me
Cause I’m stuck here on the ground, cold and drunk as I might be
You can’t jump a jet plane like you can a freight train
So I’d best be on my way in the early morning rain
Recorded by Ian & Sylvia - Early Morning Rain, Collins Fifth
Copyright Warner Brothers Music Publishing Co.
SOF
Then there’s also “Leaving on a Jet Plane”. Couldn’t find a decent midi for this song.
No one has mentioned Stephen stills “tree top flier?”
I could be a rambler from the seven dials
I don’t pay taxes 'cause I never file
I don’t do business that don’t make me smile
I love my aeroplane 'cause she’s got style
I’m a treetop flyer
I’ll fly any cargo, that you can pay to run the bush league pilots, they just can’t get the job done
Got to fly down into the canyon, ya’ don’t ever see the sun
There’s no such thing as an easy run
For a treetop flyer
I’m flyin’ low, I’m in high demand
Go fifteen feet over the Rio Grande
I’ll blow the mesquite right up of off the sand
Seldom seen, especially when I land
I’m a treetop flyer
Born Survivor
People been asking me, “Where’d you learn to fly that way?”
Ot was over in Vietnam, chasin’ NVA
The government taught me, and they taught me right,
Stay down, under the treeline, you might be alright
Treetop flyer
So I’m comin’ home, I’m runnin’ low and fast
I promised my woman this is gonna be my last
I get the ship down, I tie her fast
then some old boy walks up, and he says “Hey son” wanna’ make some fast cash?
I’m a treetop flyer
Well there’s things I am, and there’s things I’m not
I am a smuggler and I could get shot
I aint going to die, I ain’t goin’ to get caught,
See I’m a flyin’ fool, in an aeroplane that’s just too hot
I’m a treetop flyer
Born survivor
Jimmy Buffett- Jamaica mistaka- he talks about getting shot down in Jamaica cause they thought he was a smuggler (true story)
Jamaica Mistaka Matt: Some folks say that I’ve got the perfect life.
Three swell kids, lots of toys and a lovely wife.
I fly. I sail. I throw caution to the wind.
Drift like a stratus cloud above the caribbean.
But every now and then
The dragons come to call.
Just when you least expect it you’ll be dodging cannon balls.
I’ve seen to much not to stay in touch with a world full of love and luck.
I’ve got a big suspicion 'bout ammunition.
I never forget to duck.
(Chorus)
Come back
Come back
Back to Jamaica
Don’t you know we made a big mistaica
We’d be so sad if you told us goodbye
And we promise not to shoot you out of the sky
It was a beautiful day
The kind you want to toast
We were treetop flyin’
Movin’ west along the coast
Then we landed in the water
Just about my favorite thrill
When some asshole started firin’
When we taxied to Negril
Just about to lose my temper
As I endeavored to explain
We had only come for chicken
We were not a ganja plane
Well you should have seen there faces
When they finally realized
We were not some coked up cowboys
Sportin’ guns and alibies
(Chorus)
Come back
Come back
Back to Jamaica
Don’t you know we made a big mistaica
We’d be so sad if you told us goodbye
And we promise not to shoot you out of the sky
They shot from the lighthouse
They shot from the highway
They shot from the top of the cliff
They’d all gone haywire
We’re catchin’ fire
And there wasn’t even a spliff
Well the word got out
All over the island
Friends, strangers, they were all apologizin’
Some thought me crazy for bein’ way to nice
But it’s just another shitty day in paradise
Come back
Come back
Back to Jamaica
Don’t you know we made a big mistaica
We’d be so sad if you told us goodbye
And we promise not to shoot you out of the sky
Come back
Come back
Back to Jamaica
Don’t you know we made a big mistaica
We’d be so sad if you told us goodbye
And we promise not to shoot you, promise not to shoot you,
Promise not to shoot you out of the sky