I’m writing this in advance of the Reno Air Races because: A) I don’t know whether I’ll have time to put this together while attending the races, and B) Who knows? Maybe another modified vintage fighter plane will crash headfirst into the bleachers.

I hope not, not so much because I want to hang around for another 20-30 years (which I do), but because I hate to think another classic airplane has been destroyed by a rich goofball who wanted to win a race. I guess in part it’s my fault for encouraging him, though; after all, I bought a ticket.

Anyway, here’s some deep cuts about airplanes:

“Aeroplane Head Woman,” Pete Brown & Piblokto!

“Hold That Plane,” Buddy Guy.

“Johnson’s Aeroplane,” INXS.

“Planes,” Elton John.

“5:30 Plane,” The Supremes.

“Handling the Big Jets,” The Members.

“Jet Fighter,” The Three O’Clock.

“Low-Flying Jets,” Heatmiser.

There you have it: Eight songs for the invention that changed the world; well, one of them at least. What did I miss? I’m listening.