"Light Flight" is the best-known song by British folk-jazz group Pentangle, released in 1969 on their third album, Basket of Light. The track became a surprise hit single in the UK after being chosen as the theme for the BBC’s first color drama series, Take Three Girls—a move that propelled both the song and the album into the charts, with Basket of Light reaching No. 512.
Band and Style
Pentangle’s original lineup—Jacqui McShee (vocals), Bert Jansch (guitar, vocals), John Renbourn (guitar, vocals), Danny Thompson (double bass), and Terry Cox (drums)—was renowned for blending British folk with jazz, blues, and classical influences. Unlike many contemporaries who fused folk with rock, Pentangle’s innovation was to infuse folk with jazz rhythms, complex time signatures, and virtuosic acoustic arrangements312. The band’s identity centered on the interplay between Jansch and Renbourn’s guitars, McShee’s clear vocals, and a rhythm section steeped in jazz3.
Musical Features
"Light Flight" exemplifies this eclectic approach:
- Instrumentation: Twin acoustic guitars, jazzy upright bass, nimble drums, and McShee’s ethereal vocals.
- Rhythm and Structure: The song features shifting time signatures and syncopated rhythms, giving it a buoyant, airy feel.
- Melody and Harmony: The interplay between voice and guitars creates a light, swirling texture—mirroring the song’s themes of movement and escape.
Lyrics and Themes
The lyrics evoke a desire to escape the pressures of city life for a more peaceful, dreamlike existence:
"Let's get away, you say, find a better place,
Miles and miles away from the city's race,
Look around for someone lying in the sunshine
Marking time, hear the sighs, close your eyes..."
The song continues with images of drifting through time and space, visiting "frosty stars in the backward flight," and reflecting on the fleeting nature of time and dreams4. The refrain, with its wordless "ba-da-pa do da da" vocalizations, enhances the song’s breezy, escapist mood.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
"Light Flight" remains a defining moment in British folk and folk-jazz, remembered both for its innovative musicianship and its association with Take Three Girls12. The track helped Pentangle reach a wider audience and stands as a testament to the group’s ability to make complex, sophisticated music accessible and inviting.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Pentangle |
| Album | Basket of Light (1969) |
| Writers | All five original members |
| Genre | Folk-jazz, British folk |
| Chart Performance | UK Top 5 album; hit single |
| Notable Feature | Theme for BBC’s Take Three Girls |
| Legacy | Folk-jazz classic, signature Pentangle song |
Summary
"Light Flight" is a quintessential Pentangle track—blending folk, jazz, and poetic escapism into a light, intricate, and enduringly fresh song. Its innovative rhythms, virtuosic musicianship, and dreamy lyrics helped bring British folk-jazz to a mainstream audience, making it a touchstone for fans of both folk and jazz traditions312.
