The Airport Song

Album: The Preflyte Sessions (1964)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Roger McGuinn, this song, recorded in 1964, was written in tribute to the times when he and David Crosby would hang out at the airport to watch airplanes take off. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sean - Chicago, IL

Comments: 2

  • Roman from Barrie, Onif you want some classic David Crosby, latch onto his album titled "Oh yes I can" where he does solo work, often backed by members of CSN&Y as well as other artists.
  • Kevin from Reading , PaThis is really a pretty remarkable song, especially when you consider how early on it was recorded. Crosby does a great lead vocal and the singing is very moody, almost jazz. Interestingly, this was recorded during the "Prefylye" sessions in '64 that precluded the Byrds' first album release, Mr. Tambourine Man. Despite a great lead vocal on this, Crosby was not afforded a lead vocal on either of the group's first two albums, though is omnipresent through his harmony singing. Jim (later Roger) Mcguinn and Gene Clark took all the lead vocals on the first two albums. With Clark's departure during the "Fifth Dimension" sessions in '66, room opened up for Crosby to sing "Hey Joe" and "What's Happening." By the fourth album Crosby had four or five lead vocals, and was on the verge of taking over the group from McGuinn during the "Notorious Byrd Brothers" sessions when he was fired by McGuinn and Chris Hillman. Crosby, of course, had the last laugh, going on to bigger fame and fortune with Nash, Stills and occasionally, Young.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.