Leaving on a Jet Plane - John Denver and Mama’ Cass Elliott 1972 “Leaving on a Jet Plane” is a song written and recorded by American singer John Denver[1] in 1966, originally included on his debut demo recording John Denver Sings. Its original title was “Babe I Hate to Go”. He made several copies and gave them out as presents for Christmas of that year. Denver’s then-producer Milt Okun convinced him to change the title; it was renamed “Leaving on a Jet Plane” in 1967. John Denver, then a relativ