Broken Wings (song)

Infobox Single |
Name = Broken Wings


Artist = Mr. Mister
from Album = Welcome to the Real World
Released = September 1985
Format = 7", 12"
Recorded = 1984
Genre = Rock/Power ballad
Length = 5:42
Label = RCA Records
Writer = R. Page/S. George/J. Lang
Producer = Mr. Mister & Paul DeVilliers
Last single = "I'll Let You Drive" (1984)
This single = "Broken Wings" (1985)
Next single = "Kyrie" (1985)

"Broken Wings" is a #1 hit song released as a 1985 single by the band Mr. Mister.

The band's first single from their 1985 "Welcome to the Real World" album, "Broken Wings" reached the number one position on the U.S. charts in December 1985, where it remained for two weeks. It was released as the band was just about to embark on a U.S. tour opening for Tina Turner. The song reached number four in the UK Singles Chart, the highest the group ever achieved in that country.

Background and music

The song was co-written with lyricist John Lang, who was inspired by a book called "Broken Wings" written by Khalil Gibran [http://users.skynet.be/sky67891/history.htm Notes on Broken Wings] - from Mr. Mister fansite] . The lyrics "Take these broken wings and learn to fly" may be a reference to The Beatles' song Blackbird.

The song is a mix of synth, digitally delayed guitar, bass and drums. The song's hissing intro was an effect created by the sound of crash cymbal played in reverse . There is a distinct guitar sound in this track thanks to Steve Farris' innovation of the electric guitar, managing to extract a delay effect at an odd timing to create a contrast to the steadyness of the bass and beat.Fact|date=March 2008The outro to the song features Page singing a very high and lengthy falsetto note.

Music video

The music video for "Broken Wings" was directed by Oley Sassone and filmed in black & white [http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=19557 MVdbase entry] - music video details] . It features lead vocalist Richard Page driving through the desert in a classic old convertible. There is a scene of striking imagery where Page is sitting in a church when an eagle flies in through the window and lands next to him on the pew and they exchange a gaze. The full band is also featured in performance scenes during the video. Also appearing in the video are an unknown man and woman dancing. They are only shown from the waist down and their faces are never seen.

Track listing

7" single

#"Broken Wings" (single edit) - 4:29
#"Uniform of Youth" - 4:25

12" single

#"Broken Wings" (album length) - 5:45
#"Uniform of Youth" - 4:25
#"Welcome to the Real World" - 4:18

Notable covers

*In 1995, it was covered by John Tesh on his CD "Sax on the Beach".
*In 1998, it was covered by C-Block on their CD "Keepin' It Real".
*In 2001, this song was sampled for a Tupac Shakur song on his posthumous album "Until the End of Time", for the title song.
*In 2001, it was sampled and performed on the title song of Foxy Brown's "Broken Silence" album.
*In 2001, it was covered by New Zealand singer K'lee
*In 2002, the song was featured in the game "" on fictional station Emotion 98.3 and in the opening scene of the game.
*In 2002, it was covered by Rocksolid on their album "Rock Anthems".
*In 2004, Richard Cheese performed this live in Las Vegas on his album "I'd Like a Virgin".
*In 2003, the song was covered by American A Cappella group Naturally 7 on their album "What is it?"
*In 2003, it was covered for the video game Karaoke Revolution.
*In 2005, Rick Springfield sang this song on his "tribute" album "The Day After Yesterday" as a duet with original vocalist Richard Page.
*In 2006, it was covered by Clay Aiken on his CD "A Thousand Different Ways".
*In 2006, Australian rockers, Repeat Offender, covered this song on their "To A Modern Love" EP.
*In October 2006, Joe Budden released a freestyle using the beat and chorus from "Broken Wings".
*In 2007, it was covered by The Panic Division on their CD "Songs From The Glasshouse".
*In 2007, it was covered by Northern Kings on their CD "Reborn".
*Prince's ex-wife Mayte covered the song early in her vocal career.

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWyeVfuolT4 Broken Wings] - video courtesy of YouTube
* [http://www.kahlil.org/broken.html Kahlil Gibran] - "Broken Wings" book