Jet City Woman

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Jet City Woman" by Queensrÿche from their iconic album Empire, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track, released as a single in May 1991 in the US and August 1991 in Europe, is packed with stories that make it a standout. Written by guitarist Chris DeGarmo and lead singer Geoff Tate, the song captures the ache of being away from loved ones. In an interview with Songfacts, Tate shared that it’s about “being lonely and being away from the person that you love,” exploring the longing tied to time spent apart. The title “Jet City” nods to Seattle, the band’s hometown, a nickname tied to Boeing’s aircraft presence in the area. Posts on X have pointed out that the song was inspired by Tate’s first wife, a flight attendant, though Tate himself told Songfacts it was “in a sense” about her, leaving a bit of mystery. Fun fact: the striking eye on the single’s artwork belongs to actor Rob Findlay, and the song even made its way into Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, cementing its place in rock culture.

Another layer to “Jet City Woman” comes from its live energy. A pro-shot video from Oakland’s 1991 ‘Day at the Green’ event, shared on X by user @doomedparade, shows Queensrÿche at their peak, with Tate and DeGarmo delivering a killer performance alongside Metallica, Faith No More, and Soundgarden. The song’s lyrics, like “Every time I leave, you say you won’t be there / And you’re always there,” hit hard, reflecting the emotional push-and-pull of love and distance. The Queensrÿche official site features these lyrics, credited to DeGarmo and Tate, and they resonate with fans who’ve made the track a staple in the band’s catalog. The song’s vibe fits perfectly with the Zoo Crew’s hippie spin, connecting with Zoo Freaks who vibe with its raw emotion and progressive metal edge.

Queensrÿche got their start in Bellevue, Washington, in 1980, evolving from a local band called The Mob. The original lineup—vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield—came together with a vision to blend heavy metal with progressive and art rock influences, drawing from bands like Pink Floyd and Queen. Their early years were marked by relentless gigging and a self-financed EP in 1983, which caught the attention of EMI Records. This led to their debut album, The Warning, in 1984. Their breakthrough came with 1988’s Operation: Mindcrime, a concept album hailed as one of the greatest in rock history, followed by the triple-platinum Empire in 1990, which included “Jet City Woman” and the hit “Silent Lucidity.” Over the decades, they’ve sold over 20 million albums worldwide, with 6 million in the US alone, as noted on sites like Last.fm.

Fans can connect with Queensrÿche across their official platforms: the band’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. These accounts keep Zoo Freaks updated on tours, releases, and throwbacks like the 2020 X post from @queensryche celebrating Empire’s 30th anniversary, asking fans for their favorite tracks. For deeper dives, fan communities thrive online. The Queensrÿche Fans Facebook group is a vibrant spot where fans share memories, discuss songs like “Jet City Woman,” and post rare photos. Another fan hub, QueensrÿcheForum.com, offers discussion boards for diehards to geek out over the band’s progressive metal legacy. These spaces keep the Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks connected to Queensrÿche’s enduring spirit.