<P> "The Letter" launched Chilton's career and inspired numerous cover versions . English rock and soul singer Joe Cocker's 1970 rendition became his first top ten single in the U.S.; several other artists have recorded versions of the song, which also reached the record charts . </P> <P> Rolling Stone magazine included the Box Tops original at number 372 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time"; the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame added it to the list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll". In 2011, the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame . </P> <P> Wayne Carson wrote "The Letter", built on an opening line suggested by his father: "Give me a ticket for an aeroplane". Carson included the song on a demo tape he gave to Chips Moman, owner of American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee . When studio associate Dan Penn was looking for an opportunity to produce more songs, Moman suggested a local group, the DeVilles, who had a new lead singer, sixteen year - old Alex Chilton . Penn gave the group Carson's demo tape for some songs to work up . With little or no rehearsal, the group arrived at American Sound to record "The Letter". Chilton recalled: </P> <P> We set up and started running the tune down...(Dan) adjusted a few things on the organ sound, told the drummer not to do anything at all except the basic rhythm that was called for . No rolls, no nothin' . The bass player was playing pretty hot stuff, so he didn't mess with what the bass player was doing . </P>

Who wrote give me a ticket for an airplane