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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 title track of Rush’s second studio album, Fly by Night, and a definitive statement of the band’s evolving sound and lyrical depth. The album marked a turning point for Rush as it was the first 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 Rush and 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.
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# 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.
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# 8 – Highfly – John Miles
“Highfly” by John Miles is a dynamic, introspective track that was a key highlight of his debut album, Rebel, released in 1976. Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London in the latter months of 1975, the song was produced by Alan Parsons, a studio maestro 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. Andrew Powell’s orchestral arrangements add a lush, 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
“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 showcases the synergy of John’s band at the time, including 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.
Read More: Why Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player Was One Of His Most Melodic LPs
# 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 created and recorded at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas late in the album sessions. Kravitz not only performed the lead vocals but also played guitar, bass, and drums, showcasing his multi-instrumental talent. Kravitz produced the track, while Terry Manning engineered and mixed it. Upon its release, “Fly Away” became a global sensation, earning Kravitz his first Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1999.
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# 5 – Fly Me To The Moon – Diana Krall And Tony Bennett Versions
This is one of those songs done so wonderfully as both a ballad and an up-tempo swing tune. Tony Bennett owns the ballad version. If you ever wanted to define the virtuosity and brilliance of Tony Bennett’s voice, 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 better to showcase a classic swing tune than Diana Krall.
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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
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.
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# 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 ten years, the song captures the complexities of ending a relationship with poignant honesty and emotional weight. Produced by Kevin Cronin and Gary Richrath with Paul Grupp, and with John Boylan serving as executive producer, the track came from album sessions that included Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. The song 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.
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# 2 – Learning to Fly – Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
![Into The Great Wide Open[180g LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61PwvmCSbhL._SL500_.jpg)
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 and mirror the contemplative nature of the lyrics. The recording was produced by Jeff Lynne with Tom Petty and Mike Campbell, with Lynne 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 guitars, Howie Epstein on backing vocals, Stan Lynch on drums, and Lynne contributing guitars, synthesizer, bass guitar, and backing vocals.
Read More: Top 10 Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers Songs
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# 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 blends blues, rock, and funk influences seamlessly. Recorded in San Francisco and produced by Steve Miller, the song showcases his unique approach to sonic experimentation. The track features Steve Miller on lead vocals, guitar, and synthesizer; Lonnie Turner on bass; Gary Mallaber on drums; and Joachim Young on Hammond B3 organ. This lineup creates a lush and immersive soundscape, making the song a standout moment in the band’s career.
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Updated October 3, 2026
10 Best Songs With The Word ‘Fly’ In The Title article published on ClassicRockHistory.com © 2026
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.