“The Letter” is a classic rock song originally recorded by the American band The Box Tops. It was released as a single in 1967 and became a major hit, reaching the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song was written by Wayne Carson Thompson, a songwriter from Mississippi. “The Letter” is characterized by its energetic and soulful sound, blending elements of rock, pop, and R&B. It features a memorable guitar riff, catchy melodies, and a powerful lead vocal performance by Alex Chilton, the lead singer of The Box Tops. The lyrics of “The Letter” tell a story of longing and desperation.
The protagonist of the song is writing a letter to his lover, expressing his desire to return home and be with her. He shares his feelings of loneliness and urges her to wait for him. The chorus is particularly memorable, with the repeated line, “Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane, ain’t got time to take a fast train.”
“The Letter” became an instant success upon its release, topping the charts in several countries. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics resonated with audiences, and it remains one of the most recognized songs of the 1960s. The Box Tops gained significant popularity following the song’s success but were unable to replicate its massive commercial impact.
The Letter
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm-a goin' home
Oh, my baby, just-a wrote me a letter
I don't care how much money I gotta spend
Got to get back to my baby again
Lonely days are gone, I'm-a goin' home
Oh, my baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen, mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway, yeah!
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm-a goin' home
Oh, my baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen, mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway, yeah!
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm-a goin' home
Oh, my baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Oh, go, my baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Further Reading
Sources
- “The Box Tops Lyrics” https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/boxtops/theletter.html
- “The Letter (Box Tops song)” (updated June 12, 2023) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Letter_(Box_Tops_song)
- Songfacts. (n.d.). The Letter by The Box Tops. Songfacts. Retrieved from https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-box-tops/the-letter
- Rolling Stone. (2011). The Letter by The Box Tops. Rolling Stone. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/the-box-tops-the-letter-2-1224827/
- Erlewine, S. T. (n.d.). The Box Tops Biography. AllMusic. Retrieved from https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-box-tops-mn0000753690/biography
