Roberta Aguirre
Music and airports might seem like unlikely bedfellows, but several songs have been inspired by the unique atmosphere of airports. From the dreamy indie pop of Hong Kong's My Little Airport to the new wave sounds of The Motors' Airport, these songs capture the romance, excitement, and tension of air travel. LA International Airport, a song by Susan Raye, even became the official song of LAX, while Brian Eno's ambient Music for Airports aimed to defuse the potentially stressful environment of airport terminals. Whether it's the destination boards, the exotic locations, or the good and bad trips that spark inspiration, airports have provided a surprising backdrop for many musical artists.
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What You'll Learn
'LA International Airport' by Susan Raye
"LA International Airport" is a song by country music singer Susan Raye. It was written by Leanne Scott and first recorded in 1970 by David Frizzell. Raye recorded her version in 1971, and it became an international hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song enjoyed even greater success outside the US, topping the charts in New Zealand and reaching No. 2 in Australia. It was one of the biggest crossover hits of the decade.
Susan Raye was born in 1944 in Oregon, US. She began her career singing with a high-school rock group, but after the band broke up, she auditioned for a local country station, KWAY. She performed on the station's live Saturday morning country and western show and also worked as a disc jockey. She was a protege of country music singer Buck Owens, and they recorded several hit albums and singles together, including "We're Gonna Get Together" and "The Great White Horse". Raye's solo career also took off in the early 1970s, with "LA International Airport" becoming her signature song.
In 1975, Raye released "Whatcha Gonna Do With a Dog Like That", which became her seventh top-10 on the Billboard Country Chart. However, in the late 1970s, she dropped out of the music business, citing family and religion as her reasons. Her version of the hymn "Precious Memories" was used in the 1979 film "Hardcore". Raye has been retired from show business since 1986 but made a rare public appearance in 2003 to perform "LA International Airport" during the 75th-anniversary celebration of LAX. The song was proclaimed "The Official Song of Los Angeles International Airport".
"LA International Airport" has become an enduring hit for Susan Raye, with its success spanning decades and international borders. It has been recognised with gold records and exhibited in the Flight Path Learning Center-Museum at LAX. The song continues to be celebrated and remembered as an iconic country-pop crossover hit, showcasing Raye's talent and contribution to the world of country music.
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'Airport' by The Motors
"Airport" is a single by the British power pop/new wave band The Motors. Released on 19 May 1978 by Virgin Records, the song peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and number 19 in South Africa. "Airport" was written by singer Andy McMaster in 1976. McMaster switched from keyboards to bass for the band's first album.
The Motors evolved from Ducks Deluxe, another group from the pub rock scene. The band transformed into a punk rock outfit, although their age and ear for melody placed them more in the power pop area. "Airport" marked a shift from their initial pub rock sound to a more accessible new wave style with prominent synthesizers and recognisable melodies.
The lyrics of "Airport" depict a narrator helping a loved one with their baggage at the airport as they prepare to leave for another destination. The song expresses the narrator's disbelief that their loved one wants to leave and their desire to prevent the departure. The chorus includes the lines: "Airport, airport / You've got a smiling face / You took the one I love so far away / Fly her away! Fly her away!"
"Airport" is considered the song The Motors are best remembered for and is described as their biggest hit single. It stands out among their other tracks and has been praised for its catchiness and accessibility. The Motors had a unique sound and enjoyed experimenting with different styles of music. They lasted for three short years, but their music continues to be enjoyed and remembered by fans.
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'Music for Airports' by Brian Eno
Music for Airports, officially titled Ambient 1: Music for Airports, is an album by English musician Brian Eno. Released in March 1979 by Polydor Records, it is the sixth studio album by Eno and the first of four albums in the Ambient series. The album consists of four compositions created by layering tape loops of differing lengths and was designed to be continuously looped as a sound installation. Eno's intention was to defuse the anxious atmosphere of an airport terminal, creating music that induces calm and provides space to think while remaining "as ignorable as it is interesting".
The album marked Eno's first foray into ambient music, a genre he is credited with naming. His approach was in opposition to "canned" Muzak and easy listening practices. Music for Airports was designed to be neither background music nor easy listening but rather an immersive soundscape that could enhance the listener's environment.
The compositions on the album are meant to be looped, creating a sense of continuity and a timeless quality. The first track, "1/1", is frequently used as background music and has been featured in various media, including the film "9½ Weeks" and the PBS special "The Creation of the Universe". The album has been influential, with Rolling Stone crediting it with defining the ambient genre in 2004.
Music for Airports has also inspired and been referenced in other artistic works. Arrangements of the album performed by the Bang on a Can All-Stars were made into a video filmed and edited by Frank Scheffer, entitled "Music For Airports / In The Ocean". The album's impact can be seen in its influence on other artists and its enduring presence in popular culture, with excerpts appearing in documentaries and its use in the first live broadcast of Apple's Beats 1 internet radio station.
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'Same Airport, Different Man' by Julia Jackson
Julia Jacklin's "Same Airport, Different Man" is a song about self-discovery and change. The song, from her album "Don't Let the Kids Win", released in 2016, explores the narrator's evolving sense of self as they navigate through life's journeys and experiences.
The lyrics paint a picture of someone reflecting on their life at different points in time, always returning to the same airport but with different companions and circumstances. The airport acts as a metaphor for a place of transition and transformation, where the narrator's identity is in flux.
In the first verse, the narrator expresses a sense of self-doubt and uncertainty, questioning their own identity. They are waiting for someone, possibly a romantic partner, to "land", indicating that they are not embarking on this journey alone. This sense of reliance on another person for self-actualization is further emphasized in the refrain, where the narrator resolves to ""get the train alone", signifying a step towards independence and self-reliance.
The second verse continues the theme of change and transformation, with the narrator donning a different dress, symbolizing a shift in their self-expression and personal style. The third verse delves into the narrator's past, recalling a painful memory of losing their "first love to a one-way flight" at the age of sixteen. Despite the heartache, the narrator recognizes their own growth and maturity, as they are now "old enough to make a wife".
The fourth verse brings the song back to the present, with the narrator returning to the familiar setting of the airport but with a different destination and mode of transportation. They are heading to their "own" place, indicating a sense of independence and autonomy. The song concludes with the narrator observing the happiness of their companion, perhaps alluding to a newfound contentment within themselves as well.
"Same Airport, Different Man" is a poignant and relatable narrative of personal growth and transformation. Through her lyrics, Jacklin captures the dynamic nature of identity and the impact of life's journeys, whether literal or metaphorical, on our sense of self. The song resonates with listeners going through their own life transitions, providing a soundtrack to the ever-evolving story of self-discovery.
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'LA International Airport' by Shirley Myers
"LA International Airport" is a song that was originally recorded by David Frizzell in 1970. It was written by Leanne Scott. In 1971, country music singer Susan Raye recorded a second version of the song, which became an international hit. It reached #9 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and #54 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2003, for the 75th anniversary of LAX, the song received new lyrics and was recorded by Canadian country music artist Shirley Myers. Susan Raye also came out of retirement to perform the song live at the anniversary celebration. Myers' version was used as the soundtrack for the LAX music video.
> Standing in that silent hall waitin' for that final call
> Says he doesn't love me anymore
> Shaking hands I pack a bag, trembling voice I call a cab
> Slowly I start walking to the door
> Cab arrives he blows his horn, I stumble at in the early morn
> Tell him of the place I've got to go
> A hundred signal lights, paid the bills and a traffic fine
> Gettin' through these doors that's been so slow
> L.A. International Airport
> Where the big jet engines roar
> L.A. International Airport
> I won't see him anymore
The song has become a symbol of Los Angeles International Airport and its cultural significance, with references to the "big jet engines" and the emotional farewells that take place within its halls.
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Frequently asked questions
Some songs about airports include "L.A. International Airport" by Susan Raye, "Airport" by The Motors, "The Echoing Airports" by The One AM Radio, "Airport Surroundings" by Loney Dear, and "Airport Girl" by Nick Lowe.
Some bands with airport in their name include My Little Airport, a Hong Kong-based indie-pop band, and Airport Girl, who has a song called "Airport Girl."
Some songs with airport in the title include "Same Airport, Different Man" by Julia Jackson, "Behind the Airport Mirror" by The Low Anthem, "Music for Airports" by Brian Eno, "Meet Me At The Airport" by Baader Meinhof, and "Chicago Story" by Bobby Bare.
