10 Best Songs With The Word 'Fly' In The Title

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Rush’s “Fly by Night” takes that first daring leap, an anthem of leaving the past behind to chase a brighter horizon. Lou Reed’s “Fly Into the Sun” dares to dive into existential exploration, as haunting as it is profound. The Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle” channels a soulful revolution, urging us to rise above life’s struggles. Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly” blends heartfelt simplicity with the wisdom of life’s challenges, while REO Speedwagon’s “Time for Me to Fly” captures the bittersweet triumph of letting go.

The Kinks add a playful twist with “(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman,” melding humor with yearning, while Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away” radiates effortless cool, a call to escape the mundane. Elton John’s “High Flying Bird” takes a poignant, poetic approach, contrasting love’s lightness with its inevitable losses. Diana Krall and Tony Bennett’s renditions of “Fly Me to the Moon” prove that the desire to soar knows no bounds of genre, infusing timeless elegance into the mix. Finally, John Miles’ “Highfly” soars on wings of ambition and introspection.

# 10 – Fly By Night – Rush

Released in 1975, “Fly by Night” is the titular track of Rush’s second studio album, Fly by Night, and a definitive statement of the band’s evolving sound and lyrical depth. The song marked a turning point for Rush as it was the first album to feature Neil Peart, whose intricate drumming and poetic lyricism would become hallmarks of the band’s identity. Recorded at Toronto Sound Studios in late 1974 and produced by Terry Brown, “Fly by Night” captures the spirit of change and self-discovery, themes that permeate the album and much of Rush’s early work.

Read More: Top 10 Rush Songs

# 9 – Fly Into The Sun – Lou Reed

“Fly Into the Sun,” from Lou Reed’s 1984 album New Sensations, stands out as an introspective and evocative exploration of existential themes. Recorded in late 1983, the track features a lineup of accomplished musicians, including Lou Reed on lead and rhythm guitar, Fernando Saunders on bass and backing vocals, Fred Maher on drums, and Peter Wood on piano and synthesizers. Produced by Lou Reed and John Jansen, the album marked a commercial comeback for Reed, charting at No. 56 on the U.S. Billboard 200. While New Sensations leaned into a more optimistic sound compared to Reed’s earlier work, “Fly Into the Sun” retains his signature depth and poetic intensity.

Read More: 10 Best Covers of Lou Reed Songs

Read More: Top 10 Lou Reed Songs

# 8 – Highfly – John Miles

“Highfly” by John Miles is a dynamic and introspective track that served as one of the key highlights of his debut album, Rebel, released in 1976. Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London during the latter months of 1975, the song was produced by Alan Parsons, a maestro in the studio who later gained fame with The Alan Parsons Project. Miles’ lineup on the track features his powerful lead vocals, deft keyboard work, and guitar playing, supported by Bob Marshall on bass and Barry Black on drums and percussion. The orchestral arrangements, skillfully crafted by Andrew Powell, add a lush and expansive layer to the song, complementing its rock foundations with a symphonic touch.

Read More: Top 10 John Miles Songs

# 7 – High Flying Bird – Elton John

Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player (CD)

“High Flying Bird,” a deep cut from Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player album, released in 1973, showcases the artist’s lyrical and melodic depth during a peak period in his career. Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the song exemplifies the duo’s ability to craft poignant narratives, blending introspection with lush instrumentation. Recorded at Château d’Hérouville in France, the track is a testament to the synergy of John’s band at the time, which included Davey Johnstone on guitars, Dee Murray on bass, and Nigel Olsson on drums. Gus Dudgeon’s meticulous production ensured the album’s cohesive sound, with Paul Buckmaster providing the subtle yet impactful string arrangements that enrich the track.

# 6 – Fly Away – Lenny Kravitz

“Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz stands as a defining anthem of 1998, encapsulating the desire for freedom and escape through its electrifying guitar riffs and memorable chorus. Released as the fourth single from Kravitz’s 5 album, the track was recorded at his home studio in Miami, Florida. Kravitz not only performed the lead vocals but also played guitar and bass, showcasing his multi-instrumental talent. The album was co-produced by Kravitz and Terry Manning, with Manning’s expertise adding polish to the song’s dynamic rock sound. Upon its release, “Fly Away” became a global sensation, earning Kravitz his first Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Performance in 1999.

Read More: Top 10 Lenny Kravitz Songs

# 5 – Fly Me To The Moon – Diana Krall And Tony Bennet Versions

This is one of those songs that has been done so wonderfully as both a ballad and an up-tempo swing tune. Tony Bennett owns the ballad version of this song. If you ever wanted to define the virtuosity and brilliance of the voice of Tony Bennett, this is the song to play. As far as the Uptown swing version, we almost went with Frank Sinatra’s classic, but we thought we should bring it into a little bit of the modern era and who best to showcase a classic swing tune than Diana Krall.

Read More: Top 10 Diana Krall Songs

Tony Bennett’s rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” on his MTV Unplugged special in 1994 was a pivotal moment in his career, helping him connect with a younger and broader audience. This performance appeared on the accompanying album, MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett, which was released in June 1994 and produced by David Kahne. The album went on to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1995, marking a career renaissance for Bennett and introducing him to a new generation of listeners.

Read More: Top 10 Tony Bennett Songs

# 4 – (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman – The Kinks

Low Budget (180 Gram Red Audiophile Vinyl/Limited Edition/Gatefold Cover & Poster)

Released in 1979 as part of Low Budget, “(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman” finds The Kinks embracing the disco-inflected rock sounds of the late 1970s while maintaining their signature wit and social commentary. Written by Ray Davies and recorded at Konk Studios in London, the track showcases the band’s ability to evolve stylistically while maintaining their core identity. Ray Davies, who produced the track, cleverly balances satirical lyrics with a danceable groove, creating a song that is both fun and thought-provoking. With Dave Davies delivering memorable guitar riffs and a four-on-the-floor drum beat propelling the song, it became a standout on Low Budget, an album that marked The Kinks’ resurgence during this era.

Read More: Top 10 Kinks Songs

# 3 – Time for Me to Fly – REO Speedwagon

Released in 1978 as part of the album You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish, “Time for Me to Fly” remains one of REO Speedwagon’s most enduring and heartfelt tracks. Written by lead singer Kevin Cronin over a span of ten years, the song encapsulates the complexities of ending a relationship with poignant honesty and emotional weight. Produced by John Boylan and recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, the track highlights REO Speedwagon’s skillful blend of rock and melodic balladry, with a sound that was both contemporary for the late 1970s and timeless in its appeal.

Read More: Top 10 REO Speedwagon Songs

# 2 – Learning to Fly – Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Released in 1991 as the lead single from Into the Great Wide Open, “Learning to Fly” captures the quintessential spirit of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with its simplicity and poignant message. Written by Petty and Jeff Lynne, the song is built around four chords (F, C, A minor, and G) that create a steady, melodic foundation, mirroring the contemplative nature of the lyrics. The recording sessions took place in the spring of 1991, with Jeff Lynne not only co-writing the track but also producing it, bringing his signature layered production style to the band’s work. The song features Tom Petty on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Mike Campbell on 12-string and electric guitars, Howie Epstein on backing vocals, Stan Lynch on drums, and Lynne contributing on synthesizer, bass guitar, and backing vocals.

# 1 – Fly Like An Eagle – Steve Miller Band

Released in 1976 as the title track for Fly Like an Eagle, this song by the Steve Miller Band encapsulates a seamless blend of blues, rock, and funk influences. Recorded at CBS Studios in San Francisco, the song was produced by Steve Miller himself and features his unique approach to sonic experimentation. The track includes Steve Miller on lead vocals and guitar, Lonnie Turner on bass, Gary Mallaber on drums, and Joachim Young on Hammond B3 organ, with Miller also playing the ARP Odyssey synthesizer. This lineup creates a lush and immersive soundscape, making the song a standout moment in the band’s career..

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One Response

Baybluesman November 28, 2024

Good topic and tunes, and especially love, and play regularly, the Top 5 on this list.

One additional song that has always stuck with me, for no definitive reason (perhaps the social culture of the time, the commentary within the song, or just as simple as it is well-written and performed) is the 1972 song “Superfly” from the LP of the same title, by the talented Curtis Mayfield.

The album has several other excellent cuts, including, but not limited to “Freddie’s Dead”, “Little Child Runnin’ Wild”, “Pusherman”, and of course the title song.