Paul Pena
Paul Pena (January 26, 1950 – October 1, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist of Cape Verdean descent.
His music from the first half of his career touched on Delta blues, jazz, morna, flamenco, folk and rock and roll. Pena is probably best known for writing the song "Jet Airliner," a major 1977 hit for the Steve Miller Band and a staple of classic rock radio; and for appearing in the 1999 documentary film Genghis Blues, wherein he displayed his abilities in the field of Tuvan throat singing.
Early years
Pena was born in Hyannis, Massachusetts. His grandparents were from the islands of Brava and Fogo in the Cape Verde islands off the western coast of Africa, and emigrated to the United States in 1919. Pena spoke Cape Verdean Creole with his family while growing up. His grandfather, Francisco Pena, and father, Joaquim "Jack" Pena, were both professional musicians, and taught Paul to play Cape Verdean music, including Morna. Pena performed professionally with his father, including a summer spent in Spain and Portugal, where he studied flamenco music.
Paul Pena (album)
Paul Pena is the 1971 debut album by blind singer-songwriter Paul Pena. After 40 years out of print, the album has been officially re-released in mp3 format and is available at amazon.com and the iTunes Store.
Track listing
All songs written by Paul Pena except where noted.
Personnel
Production
Pena, Paul Filmography
-
1999, role: actor
-
1999, role: composer
Pena, Paul Filmography
-
2012, role: miscellaneous crew
Paul Pena
ALBUMS
- New Train released: 2000
- Genghis Blues released: 1997
- Paul Pena released: 1971
Genghis Blues
Released 1997- What You Talkin' About?
- Tras d'Orizão (Beyond the Horizon)
- Terraplane blues
- Alash Khem (The Alash River)
- Ondarnyng Ayany (medley in the style of ondar)
- Dürgen Chugaa (Fast Talk)
- Kaldak Hamar (The Other Side of the Mountain)
- Konggurey (Where Has My Homeland Gone?)
- Eki A'ttar (Good Horses)
- Sünezin Yry (Soul's Song)
- Kargyraa Moan
- Tuva Farewell
Born: 1950-01-26
Died: 2005-10-01
Jet Airliner
Can't see forty-two, just 'bout t'go insane
I've been down before
Ridin' along in this big jet plane
I've been thinkin' about jumpin' out the door
'Cause my home land is so far away
And I feel like it's all been done
Somebody's tryin' to make me stay
And I've got to be on the run
Oh big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay
I've been sitting by the fireside
Wonderin' where my strength is goin'
Looking through the (midlight?),
Tryin' to find out which way the wind is blowin'
But my heart keeps pushing me backwards
As I jump aboard that 747
Riding high, but with a tear in my eye
You got to go through hell before you get to heaven
Woah, big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Oh I know I will
I'm gonna leave on my own this time
Oh, yeah, yeah
Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Big ol' jet airliner
Here that I've got to stay
Goodbye to all my friends at home
Goodbye to people I've trusted
I've got to go out and make my way
I might get rich you know I might get busted
But my heart keeps calling me backwards
As I get on the 707
Ridin' high I got tears in my eyes
You know you got to go through hell
Before you get to heaven
Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Touchin' down in New England
Feel the heat comin' down
First thought is "Lord, I said I'd be there"
But I couldn't seem to quite get it down
'Cause I'm goin' with some hesitation
I've got to go and make my way
But there's so many people, Lord, to talk to
And a whole lotta debts to pay
Oh, big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Goodbye to old friends at home
Goodbye to willing friends I've trusted
I've got to go out and make my way
I might get rich and I might get busted
But I'm going, Lord, with so many things to clean up
I've got to make my way clear before me
But I don't want to get mixed up
In any of that funky shit that goin' down before me
Oooh, big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Big ol' jet airliner
'Cause it's here that I've got to stay