In celebration of CBC Music’s new Killer Covers stream, we’re pitting some of the most famous cover versions against the originals. Once a day for two weeks we'll post an original song and its cover, and you can vote for which version you prefer.
Today, “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”
John Denver wrote “Leaving on a Jet Plane” in 1966, but he wasn’t the first to record it. A couple of folk artists originally recorded the song, though Peter, Paul and Mary made it a hit in 1969. The trio’s sleepy harmonies reached number one on the U.S. pop chart.
Denver’s version was released in 1969 on his album Rhymes & Reasons. Even though he wasn't the first to record his own song, it feels a bit strange to call it a cover, especially because most people consider it a John Denver song.
Since the ‘60s, dozens of artists have covered "Leaving on a Jet Plane" in various genres, but the most notable is Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk. In 1998, Kreviazuk recorded a cover that appeared on the soundtrack of the movie Armageddon.
Check back tomorrow for another cover song matchup.
Related:
Cover Wars: 'Blinded by the Light'
Cover Wars: 'Common People'
Cover Wars: 'Hallelujah'