Airport - The Motors

The Motors' biggest single, Airport, reached #4 on the UK charts in 1978. It is still used in feature stories about airports and aircraft. Written by Andy McMaster, and taken from the album "Approved By The Motors", the song also reached the top 10 in Sweden and Ireland, and was top 40 in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
This is posted as a tribute only. All rights remain with the legal rights holders. I do not stand to profit in any way from this video. If the rights holders object, please contact me and I will remove the video. If you enjoy the music, BUY IT. Available on iTunes.

[@markpaterson2053]

When my mum snuck me and my two brothers out of the house at 5 in the morning to escape our step dad, we took a coach from Newcastle to Manchester, but first we had to get on a bus, wait at a cafe...we heard this song 4 times during the journey, and it's haunted me ever since, but not for any dark reasons, everything worked out in the end. This, for me, is nostalgia with bells on.

[@odileo9373]

So friendly. Perhaps, I 'll write. 😊

[@odileo9373]

😉 in Link....? If you.... Take care. Odile.

[@baz3338]

Thats quit a picture you've painted, hope all worked out well

[@odileo9373]

I say to others, what's annoying, well, sometimes 😁, is that we can't exchange private messages to talk about the good old days, etc. You do not think? Or maybe it's possible and I don't know how to do it 🤔😞

[@markpaterson2053]

@@baz3338 it did, though my brothers pretty much grew up a bit criminally insane

[@user-ri9cc3ge6j]

I'm glad that a lot of people beside myself are still liking this song!

[@MeMe-mq4zu]

Great song

[@markpaterson2053]

no way, was gonna write the exact same thing, word for word.

[@ave.original9345]

​@markpaterson2053 I was going to write the exact opposite song... for modern times and how everyone these days hates to fly and smiling faces are rare to see in a large airport... I'm writing it in a minor key

[@nineteen8486]

german uniform video is the best

[@user-dy8ly6pr6e]

I'm french,and I can say that this Motor's song is one of my best memory.I was just 9 years old when I discovered this song in 1980...fantastic!Since The Beatles in the sixties,I say thank you to England for all those prodigious musicians that this country have done...

[@madness3433]

Listening this in August 2024. Wish I had a Time machine 😢

[@andymatthews7617]

I'd go back in a heartbeat, this world is now full of evil.

[@joedow6180]

Still listening in 2024 😺👍🏻

[@IhaveMy0pinion]

Me too🙂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@markevans4526]

me too bud

[@martincairney1746]

15/5 /2024 still listening ❤

[@ludo9234]

Sunday 26 May .

[@marklemon9446]

29/5/25 still listening to my youth at 63🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@jonbate7148]

One of the best pop songs of all time

[@michelelomartire_634]

one of the best things about 64 years old,is the fact that i lived my teenage years in the 70's that is priceless and I am grateful!!

[@jakmak1199]

So true, Golden days.

[@jayneeastwood2660]

Cool 👍

[@pete7825]

Gold

[@user-mm9il4ic3i]

sme timre as me ,,,, i remember . nor ]t the same today

[@delby66]

You are so right Michele. I'm 65 now and that era of music has been and always been my favourite era for music.

[@tombartram6842]

The most miserable era in Britain's social history produced the best, most uplifting music ever created.

[@johncallow22]

The most miserable era, so far, may be now. The country was, in many ways, so much better then.

[@msbwilson6990]

Sorry mate 70s or 80s if its 80s disagree, nothing compared to the shit show now. Sorry. Foundation's of which will never be built again. A fact.

[@bonnacon1610]

@@johncallow22Seconded.

[@GriefTourist]

One of those BRILLIANT half forgotten songs that reminds us what an unbeatable time for pop music this era was

[@LarzGustafsson]

Exactly!

[@tomsanders2094]

Yes! Also the band Magazine is great if you like this though... darker vibe

[@hindlewalker9330]

Yes you've summed it up.

[@JohnMorten-px6my]

I was a long distance lorry driver when this came out, and remember singing loudly along with this on the radio. I got some funny looks at traffic lights ! This song is remembered as a much simpler way of life, even then. Happy days. 😀

[@terrycrusader]

songs from this era remind of being with my dad in his crusader when I was 4,like you say a much simpler time.

[@JohnMorten-px6my]

@@terrycrusader 👍 now that's a blast from the past - a bit spartan by today's standards, (at least there was a sleeper) but pull like a train and you could hear the turbo whistle when approaching Shap (old road) early morning a mile away.

[@sparkymlarky]

I was born in 1960.my music upbringing was incredible.i was soooo lucky to be born in those days.

[@wokeupandsmellthecoffee214]

Me too, glad we lived the good days eh !

[@sparkymlarky]

@@wokeupandsmellthecoffee214 Yep. Glam rock. Punk rock. Disco. WOW

[@odileo9373]

Yeeeees! Ouiiiiiiil! 😊😊❤😘

[@odileo9373]

which country do you live in ?

[@sparkymlarky]

@@odileo9373 Scotland where the Bay city Rollers were from

[@paulpauwels8593]

This is simply great music, i miss those days when there was real music

[@lindalin3586]

80/90

[@pholdway5801]

and talent

[@patsyroberts3967]

omg lmfao.

[@ornellamira646]

❤i m french whoman i have 54 years i remember this song when i m in the car with my parents i love this song for ever my father is dead in 2015 and my mother in 2021 victim of covid dad mum i love you in the star s ornella south of france😢

[@halloweenjack8683]

Love to you have great taste 💙

[@Pollux148]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHSYoadh9uAkKM

[@michaeldillon7662]

God bless

[@odileo9373]

😢🙏😘, bien amicalement, du middle France, et sud, cet été 😉

[@frederiquemartin223]

Was only 12 but never forgot this great song ❤

[@johnnyb6584]

Same. Was 12 too when this great song came out

[@user-gt9un8hu1b]

@@johnnyb6584 Well i was FIVE teehee! I'm a female.

[@TheUtuber999]

The melancholy synth and fervent piano weave together so perfectly in this timeless tune from my youth.

[@lindalin3586]

💯

[@primoklabauter2887]

I loved this song so much when I was a young guy. Now I am an old man and I’ve listened to this song again and I still love it so much. Meanwhile my life went by and so much has happened, but this music is still amazing.❤😢😊

[@odileo9373]

🙂😘

[@odileo9373]

You must not be that old, 🙂, otherwise.....there must be many of us....😭 😉😇

[@paulbyrne6697]

Happy belated birthday Andy McMaster. I knew it was your Birthday yesterday. Your a genius. From an Irish fan.

[@eugeneoreilly9356]

Wish i could fly back to the 70,s when the sounds were just awsome,not like the drivel thats called music nowadays.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Arguably one of the best pop songs ever released. An entire film script in a short song.

[@andymatthews7617]

Brilliantly written.

[@OrangeFuzz123]

Yep...beautiful

[@douglasbennett5202]

I was at the age where I was dancing to disco music in 1978 and knew this was a hit song, but how good it is.The younger generations if they can get their heads out of social media on their phones they just might be able to write music like this today.

[@Blue_Lugia]

This song has been stuck in my head for days. Seeing this video makes me realize it's more 70's than I expected.

[@mettenorre6523]

😊one of the best songs I can remember as a 49 year old woman. nostalgic

[@nicolashoussaye2341]

Me too❤

[@paulmiles6012]

I loved the 70's...... Strikes, 4 day week, winter of discontent, power cuts, petrol crisis, football hooligans, Austin Allegro........ and great music.. 👍

[@morrisey1970]

I had two Allegros 🙂

[@paulmiles6012]

@@morrisey1970 you had 2 'all-aggros'.. ha ha ha.... love 70's cars... Nothing wrong with a beige Morris Marina... 😉😉👍

[@dean8223]

@@morrisey1970 I only had One, All Agro...

[@fivewindow32]

In a nutshell!

[@brunopascolo3591]

3

[@stevencrawtr1145]

If only we could fly back to the 70s ✈️

[@MrThrib]

You totally can. Drop some acid, wear terrible clothes, and look out at a ruined economy. Bingo.

[@karlranseier1961]

I would do it

[@euanelliott3613]

Heaven is a rewind button....fingers crossed everybody.

[@ajs41]

@@MrThrib I misread that the first time, I thought you were recommending going down to a ruined bingo hall to play bingo.

[@markhall5656]

Total classic

[@sarahchristina3716]

My dad is 73 years-old he told me to listen to this song, he always told me how he’s so grateful he was born in that generation being young in the 60s and 70s are the best time in his life.

[@DaveAndBeth1978]

It wasn't all good in the 60s and 70s TBH... Life is whatever you make it, no matter what era you were born into

[@rolandhawken6628]

Ahh youth it always becomes that lost estate we can never find our way back to .

[@grahammaguire404]

@@DaveAndBeth1978 OMG what a miserable non binary person you are/we're... transitioning into, cheer up we've got a highly laughable government, high interest rates, ww3 a possibility and a pint of beer going up to a eye watering £7.00 , now what's there to be negative about!!!!

[@DaveAndBeth1978]

@@grahammaguire404 - no need for me to "cheer up", I'm happier now than I ever was in the 60s / 70s! 😂 I don't drink alcohol so the price of beer is a moot point; I'm astute financially despite never being in a high paid job, and WW3 isn't happening anytime soon. Definitely not "non-binary" either, not sure what made you bring that completely irrelevant point in there! As I said, life's whatever you make it

[@timbayliss4153]

This is one of my favourite records. The only real bad things about the 60's and the 70's were the spassies blaming everything on the Black's or the Irish, when they should have joined Europe wisely in my opinion in those decades, to stop the strikes, and have sensible trade barriers, with hopeful foreign friends.

[@peterjones2761]

This is one of my favourite songs, I'm glad I was a teenager when this was released.

[@stevekravcik609]

The Motors. Probably the most underrated band of the New Wave era.

[@clintdavies491]

get a new word ffs. everyone is UNDERRATED. Jesus underrated by whom .

[@clivesmith9377]

Not really. Their albums were patchworks of sounds and The Buzzcocks had taken over the entire Glory space.

[@nickphiggins]

Try Taxi by the Deaf School and if you do you will understand this………..

[@GriefTourist]

I remember my mum buying this and I think of her and those times when I hear it. RIP mum.

[@alanbrett2174]

Sorry for your loss of your mum, she may be gone, but at least you have a great song to remember her. Music heals most things, well make life a little easier

[@garymansfield9070]

Never forget my friend ❤

[@mauromazzoncini5711]

When you listen to this you're mum is listening to it with you

[@jlogon106]

Best era for tunes ever !!

[@JIMGEORDIE]

Always loved this song. So evocative. Not sure if it's Andy McMasters fantastic vocal or his distinctive keyboard sound, or maybe both? Takes me back to being a 13 year old in 1978. Loving punk rock, football stickers, 2000ad comics and the Argentina 78 world cup. What a time to be a kid! Wouldn't change it for the world. :)

[@HanTheHippy]

I adore this song so much

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Aahh...the carefree days when one could walk through the Heathrow Tunnels.

[@tl.rogers]

Heard this on the radio in my grandfather's car after a day trip. Only a little boy then, initially spooked by the melody but is a song that I have grown to like. I'm only at the end of my teenage years but would definitely pick this over most of the garbage they spew out today.

[@darrylmarsh6847]

The only song to listen to while sitting in the departures lounge waiting to board your flight like I am now ✈️

[@AlanWhitlock-ee9ng]

Used to hear this song in 78 when we were first married on the way home from work. We will be married 46 years tomorrow. Still love her like it was all them years ago .thank you for such. A great 46 years.

[@fightthefairy]

I was only 4 when this was out, but today at 49 it reminds me of something I'm not even aware of but makes me so emotional. It's hard to listen to for some reason.

[@jamescatneyarbuckle5390]

So many memories come flooding back when I hear this song...some good, some bad, all filled with 1970’s angst. I love this song.

[@CityBoy5705]

Excellent Song. 60s 70s 80s. Great Music. Started to go down the Crapper from the 90s Onwards.

[@carlakroyd3095]

What a song 🎵 underrated in the late 70s still stood the test of time classic.

[@eopal-uk265]

i miss the past

[@andymatthews7617]

I want to go back and stay there forever.

[@andycuthbert2763]

Was at Ambleside youth hostel aged about 10 when I first heard this song.liked it then but love it now. Happy days-life so much better in the 70s and 80s. Music to remember unlike today’s shite.

[@MrEagle2704-OFFICIAL]

I always found the melody of the synthesizer very interesting, but today I heard it on the radio and I realized it's just an amazing song in general and I can't stop listening and singing along anymore

[@kurtfaulk3823]

How on earth hadn't i heard this song before? Was watching the 70s channel on fetch tv and this song came on. I thought it sounded alright. Saw it again a couple of days later and I was hooked. Straight to youtube to get my fix every day after that. Fantastic song.

[@Clocktoys]

This is one of those songs that has remained at the back of my head since childhood. Musically it has an irresistible tune: catchy as hell yet sad and dramatic. The arrangement is just exceptional, delivering a perfect slice of pop.

[@danielspain7231]

From a time when music was real music

[@user-be1wd5by8f]

Totally brilliant song one of my favs

[@dansthegamer8887]

Dedicating this fantastic song to my ex Director Mr Paul Judge who emigrated to Canada. He'll probably never read these comments so he'll never know I had the biggest crush on him. But he's flown away and I'll never see him again...Airport you've took the one I love so far away...so apt...

[@georgewright6748]

How does a record made in 1978, still sound sooo good....

[@carlphone]

Because in those days they had the talent to create such great music.

[@flares]

Why shouldn't a record made in 1978 sound good today? The reason why is because it's a good record, it's catchy and memorable. Catchy and memorable records are in short supply these days, we all know that. The only people that don't are the people in the current music business.

[@pateris]

@@flares Kinda nails it innit ? Is it because "those icky youngsters can't compose good music nowadays", or is it because record companies executives would not recognize good music if it bit their are, going for stupid dreck ? (There WAS stupid dreck Back In The Days, but there was good stuff to balance it all…)

[@Vinterfrid]

Strange question indeed! Do you really think people could not write songs back then?

[@LeprechaunJackson]

Because music from those days are timeless classics :)

[@kevinproctor7090]

Never get on a plane without listening to this great song at least once...Airport!

[@Finat0]

Fly her away

[@louise_rose]

Calling America . That's where she has to be!! :)

[@TheUtuber999]

Also Luton Airport by Cats UK. 😊

[@Dougiesclubie]

This song to me is the most complete song I have ever heard. Its not telling you much but every note & lyric fit perfectly This is a masterpiece raptures X

[@stephenthomas3085]

Bram Tchaikowsky, a truly great name, I'm seriously jealous...! Great song, great band.

[@user-gd4vx8hb3n]

I was in my teens when I made my own top 40 and this song was my number one for a lot of weeks!

[@buxvan]

We had a record player at my youth club with a few records including this one. I used to stick it on all the time. Most of the others wanted disco music !

[@Ian-Hall]

I was 12 when I first heard this song in 1978. I loved it then as I still do now in 2023.

[@bistro1976]

I was born in 1976 and i am listening right now!

[@JJONNYREPP]

Airport - The Motors 1016am 11.4.23 i was about 6 or 7... all the kids used to sing: eff off! thinking it vastly amusing...

[@mpinheiro]

same here !

[@tajraasi1966]

Same age as myself, brilliant decade for music 🎶 One of my fav bands still.

[@aljawia]

I was a few years older than you, and just like you, I STILL LOVE IT,,, I am working on my cover version of Airport!

[@PeterHollingsworth-t4i]

Loved this record.

[@mickyokom1]

I find this song so strangely mesmerising.

[@aljawia]

Growing up in the Middle East, a friend who visited her English Grandma frequently, brought this record & played it for us. I was in love & until this day.

[@gilhayoun8193]

Beautiful song

[@philliptaylor2867]

I wish there was a airport to fly me back to the seventys. I miss them in this much worse era to live in. It's not nostalgia or rose tinted lenses. Things were so much more innocent back then and yet those times produced complex tunes like this classic with its haunting keyboards and a whirlwind of magical memories that carry I'm the wind. Today's era is a cross between nasty and glib.

[@DK-fd3fi]

The 70s sound like a great time to live in sad Time Machines are invented yet 😢

[@Notalwaysrightbutmostly]

You were young and innocent Phil , there are youngsters out there today who are equally innocent in 2024 .They will no doubt respond in a similar manner about the music of 2024 in 2070

[@xtevetyler5332]

One of those songs that evoke a series of beloved memories of a long past time when life was still a magical thing, it still is, great song

[@jimduffy1967]

I know exactly what you mean,I first flew abroad in 1978 ,these songs stick.

[@ronaldtallett1781]

A time when life was so much simpler

[@billybynorth7467]

What when you were young you mean? That's a song, we are young Kim carnes or someone. Orrible getting old innit

[@billybynorth7467]

Sorry pat benatar love is a battlefield. We are young is a better title

[@mimoochodom2684]

With ya bro.

[@leedsboy64]

one of the very best tunes of the brilliant 70s

[@barrymitchell6444]

I'm an early Queen fan, but I've always loved this song. It must be because it's a catchy tune, as I've never even been in an airport.

[@moggiesmusic]

True, along with Baker Street, Wuthering Heights...so many brilliant tunes in that incredible decade.

[@annawoodthorpebrowne9980]

Masterpiece ❤

[@Robert-te3mj]

Most days I play this I just reminds me of my X Alma wish i was together now I am with someone to day but omg I can not stop thinking of Alma

[@ArchStanton-xw2bd]

My Dad died of syphilis and this song was what he wanted played at his funeral

[@martincoxon1329]

never understood how The Motors were not massive. Classic. Forget about you was even better

[@marceldee1163]

First heard this from a 1970’s compilation album, fantastic 🙌😁♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@martinhawkrsworth9676]

In my honest opinion this song is very underated a fabulous tune timeless classic brilliant

[@danielmcfall4106]

One of the all time Great songs ...it takes me back to place called youth ..

[@andymatthews7617]

Wish we had stayed there locked in time.

[@rw8733]

I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could.

[@andymatthews7617]

@@rw8733 to right, this works now has gone bonkers.

[@andymatthews7617]

World.

[@jimduffy1967]

Loved this song in 1978 ,still love it 40 years later.brilliant keyboards.

[@christianebonnaves5783]

I love this song 1978. I was 28 years old

[@jordan-a.c.daimler-bellged309]

thanxx

[@verabedford4315]

I was 18 when this came out what a classic song 😊

[@jimduffy1967]

Oh forgot to say,my first flight in a aircraft was 1978 and believe or not ,we got to smoke on the plane,the airline was Dan Air ,god knows what happened to them.

[@timothymills-smith]

A brilliant classic no one these days could write a song like this all composed on a computer

[@peterkeen1293]

First heard this from a jukebox in '78 I was 5&arf,sat down and watched it playing through the glass of the front of the juke fascinated by the sound and the label (blue virgin) going round, someone then put dee.dee Jackson automatic lover on after it i was blown away, synth sound still sounds great now

[@travelpointone991]

Saw them live at the Marquee Club in London's Wardour Street. Aug 25 1978 ....

[@nicoladavison3777]

This brings back memories of my holidays with my cousins at skegvagus they lived with my aunty and had a boarding house on alisander road near Morrisons called Bella vista my uncle ran the donkeys on the beach and had an Italian restaurant in town we had great summers and made great memories x

[@chrisroberts5668]

Still sounds brilliant, beautiful song.

[@geoffreyjonathanwilson9932]

It certainly does Chris,great song.

[@rw8733]

A real belter.

[@serkering8712]

Oui Monsieur !!!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees Sir

[@sct352t3]

I agree. Loved it from the moment I first heard Nicky Horne play it when the album 'Approved' entered his Saturday evening 'Mummies Chart'.

[@peterlloyd8566]

It does

[@Lucillee688]

I had forgotten how good this is. Havn’t heard it in years.

[@he110itsme]

Takes me back to my childhood. I remember loving this song when I was 7 years old 🤗❤️

[@lisadarrenp4704]

What memories, this one, Lindisfarne Run For Home, Sad Cafe, Everyday Hurts, Manfred Man Davys On Tge Road Again....etc list is endless .

[@derekkelly9286]

Incredible song sad brilliant keyboards are amazing solo the bass synthesizer seriously some song it always amazed me how superb this song was

[@halloweenjack8683]

Great music 💙

[@djjules5945]

To this day I can remember lying on a sun bed in our back garden with this track playing from the radio. Played it ever since although no-one has ever requested it. Fantastic.

[@alanbush4192]

i had an electric keyboard and i drove my wife mad playing along with this tune /song over and over until i got it right its still a brilliant song today

[@snakezdewiggle6084]

@alanbush4192 So how is your wife now.? Or did you play it that one time too many😉

[@MrVja150870]

Hearing this takes me back to when I was a kid. Damn, I wish time travel was real...

[@jamesrainey2174]

Great song hasn't dated sounds as good as it did when first released ❤.

[@thistle71]

This is tremendous! Future people, never let the comments die!

[@slowstone72]

Great song.

[@hankbannister]

One of my top favourites from that aera. Together with Sarah Smiles by Bram Tchaikowsky and everything from Talk Talk.

[@dsteamer100]

A perfect pop song: piano, drums, harmonies: its got everything

[@jchis9852]

Including the "dip, dip, da-dip, dip" background vocals.

[@nossasenhoradoo871]

"A perfect pop song: piano, drums, harmonies: its got everything" Except Debbie Harry, strutting the stage for all the gals in pop and rock!

[@stephenoliver1768]

exactly.. perfect!!

[@MrThrib]

I think it really is perfect pop. I've just rediscovered it, and can't stop playing it! It's just genius. The vocals, the arrangement, so f'ing spot on.

[@victorpegala2698]

What a bassline ..the soul of this song !

[@Carina-tn8oi]

Great synth tunes here ❤

[@georgevitsas2785]

DEFINITELY AN UNDERESTIMATED MASTERPIECE!!!

[@norwegianzound]

SPEAK UP. CAN'T HEAR YA!!!!

[@eddiek0507]

Absolutely!! 👍🏻

[@paulbyrne6697]

Happy Birthday Andy McMaster your a genius. I remember this song when I was a child. I loved it then and now.

[@WDH59510]

Did you know he wrote Tuppenny Bus Ride for Anita Harris ?

[@anthonydickinson5913]

Still sounds fresh today..Let’s all go back to the ‘78 ish again and stay this time…!!!!

[@jordan-a.c.daimler-bellged309]

rediscovered thank you , for the appreciation ANTHONY, JORDAN in AMSTERDAM europe

[@jordan-a.c.daimler-bellged309]

🐞Anthony🐂 Happy🐬 Animals Day 🐎🐱

[@ronny9407]

A mate of mine Rick Jackson was a big fan of this song.Rick was 12 years older than me I was 16. We used to listen to hotel California and drink whisky. RIP Rick. You was a great bloke

[@polmus]

Haven't heard this before, now it's on repeat!

[@willemh3319]

spent 40 years of my life on the airport and still can see it from my house❤❤❤ mis the life and flying

[@stephenwilson2036]

Great memories can see that cheeky glasweigan smile Andy has as been from Glasgow myself brilliant song. Coming on 60 and still listening to this song 👍

[@antonyrichardson6895]

Took these songs for granted.

[@ianbell7342]

loved these saw them in guilford in my time . seen many groups but these were one of my first x brill

[@davidtomlinson6138]

Many years since ive heard this classic, great music around then , 19 at the time 🙂miss them days , queens silver jubilee yr before , street parties , loved it , memories of star wars still around , i drove a classic mini -van , paid £90 for it.

[@barrymitchell6444]

Why do I love this song so much? I'm a long-time Queen fan, and I've never been to a bloody airport!!!

[@bigd_selectersmg]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS TUNE. PURE CLASSIC!

[@charbander]

Hauntingly perfect.....in fact its a masterpiece !

[@moggiesmusic]

Perfectly put.

[@LauRa-re9un]

This song is really haunting. I can't stop watching at the singer while listening to it.

[@iammicsholla1482]

Was 7 years old when this hit the charts. It's a bittersweet song for me of memories of early life where we didn't have much, lived in a council flat but we're so happy & grateful for the little we had. The song is beautifully, poetically written, the piano solo in the break, the vocals are everything. xx

[@andymatthews7617]

BETTER DAYS, I WISH I COULD GO BACK AND STAY THERE FOREVER.

[@nandaassuncao7065]

I love this song.. Ever and ever.. Sorry iamPortuguesa