Drop The Pilot

Album: The Key (1983)
Charted: 11 78
Play Video
  • 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 Writer/s: JOAN ARMATRADING
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • Tim from BrisbaneIsn't it obvious she is propositioning a woman with words like mahout and monkey? "Don't fight a losing battle."
  • Rocky from Copper CoJason Hart, it IS "monkey" as in the metaphors of control:
    drop the pilot (who's flying your plane)
    drop the monkey (on your back)
    drop the mahout (riding you around).

    Marquee is what actually mkes no sense to me....
  • Jason Hart from Calcutta, IndiaI just love this song- from back when I was 12 years old ('84) when I first got to hear it...! It gained more significance as I grew up; and that video- even more brilliant now when I watch it, considering the era...!! To note- I always reckoned the lyrics went “Drop the Marquee, smell my perfume...” but online, I've seen them as- “Drop the Monkey.....” I wonder what they really are: Marquee sounds more apt to the rest of the song & video...
  • Brian Chew from DubaiIt was a splendid song back in 83 and it even better today, Drop the mahout indeed.
    Saw Joan on Sky News today and she looks so good, well done that woman.
    Oh and come to Dubai when you can.
  • John from Nashville, Tn"Drop The Pilot" was Joan's only Billboard Hot 100 Entry. It went to #87.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.