Drop the Pilot

Joan Armatrading

About Drop the Pilot

"Drop the Pilot" is a song written and originally performed by Joan Armatrading. It was the first single to be released from Armatrading's 1983 album The Key, and was her third and (to date) final UK top 40 hit. It reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart, and spent a total of ten weeks in the Top 40. The single was Armatrading's only appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent six weeks, peaking at number 78 on 25 June 1983.


Year:
1983
3:41
505 
#4

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I'm right on target, my aim is straight
So you're in love, I say what of it?
Things can change, there's always changes
I want to try some rearranging, I say

Drop the pilot, try my balloon
Drop the monkey, smell my perfume
Drop the mahout, I'm the Easy Rider
Don't use your army to fight a losing battle
Animal, mineral, physical, spiritual
I'm the one you need, I'm the one you need

You're kissing cousins, there's no smoke, no flame
If you lose that pilot I can fly your plane
If you want solid ground, come on and try me
Oh I can take you so high that you're never gonna want to come down, I say

I say
Drop the pilot, try my balloon
Drop the monkey, smell my perfume
Drop the mahout, I'm the Easy Rider
Don't use your army to fight a losing battle
Animal, mineral, physical, spiritual
I'm the one you need, I'm the one you need

I said, animal, mineral, physical, spiritual
I'm the one you need, I'm the one you need
I'm the one you need

Drop the pilot, try my balloon
Drop the monkey, smell my perfume
Drop the mahout, I'm an Easy Rider
Don't use your army to fight a losing battle

Drop the pilot, try my balloon
Drop the monkey, smell my perfume
Drop the mahout, I'm the Easy Rider
Don't use your army to fight a losing battle

Animal, mineral, physical, spiritual
I'm the one you need, I'm the one you need

I say drop the pilot (yeah)
Drop the monkey
Drop the mahout
Animal, mineral, physical, spiritual
I'm the one you need, I'm the one you need
I'm the one you need
I'm the one you need

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Joan Armatrading

Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading, MBE (born 9 December 1950) is a British singer, songwriter and guitarist. Armatrading is a three-time Grammy Award-nominee and has been nominated twice for BRIT Awards as Best Female Artist. She also received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996. In a recording career spanning 40 years she has released a total of 17 studio albums, as well as several live albums and compilations. more »

2 fans

Written by: JOAN ARMATRADING

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

SONG RELEASE
"Drop the Pilot" is a song by British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, released as a single in February 1983.
ALBUM INCLUSION
The song is featured on Armatrading's eighth studio album, "The Key," released the same year.
CHART PERFORMANCE
Upon its release, "Drop the Pilot" scored Armatrading her third UK Top 40 hit, peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. It's her highest-charting single to date.
SURPRISING SUCCESS
In Australia, the song reached a surprising number 6, making it one of Armatrading's most successful releases in the country.
U.S CHART
In the United States, "Drop the Pilot" reached number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was her first single to chart in the U.S.
MUSIC VIDEO
The music video for "Drop the Pilot" features Armatrading and a backing band performing the song, interspersed with scenes of Armatrading riding a motorcycle and participating in a boxing match.
GENRE
The song is commonly classified as a pop/rock track, indicative of the more commercial direction Armatrading pursued with "The Key" album.
COVER VERSIONS
Several cover versions of "Drop the Pilot" have been recorded by artists worldwide, including Maura O'Connell, Shona Laing, and the Chicks.
TOP OF THE POPS
Joan Armatrading performed "Drop the Pilot" on the UK music show, Top of the Pops, further helping propel its momentum in the charts.
POTENTIAL LYRICAL UNDERSTANDING
While Armatrading has never publicly explained the song's meaning, some listeners interpret "Drop the Pilot" as a feminist anthem, with lyrics encouraging a woman to leave her unfulfilling relationship.
AWARDS
Though the song didn't win any major awards, Armatrading was nominated for a Brit Award in the category of Best British Female Solo Artist in 1984, largely due to her success with "Drop the Pilot".
MODERN USAGE
Even today, "Drop the Pilot" continues to be used in various media, most notably in commercials and film soundtracks.

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    Drop the Pilot

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1983

    Billboard #78


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