Finally our transport series takes to the skies with some songs about flying. Flight or flying is the process by which an object moves through a space without contacting any planetary, either within an atmosphere or through the vacuum of outer space. This can be achieved by generating aerodynamic lift associated with gliding or propulsive thrust or by ballistic movement. Many things can fly, from birds, bats and insects, to natural gliders/parachuters such as patagial animals, seeds, to human inventions like aeroplanes, airships and balloons etc. and rockets which may propel spacecraft.
Flying Down to Rio is a song from the 1933 American pre-code RKO musical of the same name. It is famous for being the first screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Giner Rogers, although Dolores del Rio and Gene Raymond received top billing and the leading roles. The songs in the film were written by Vincent Youmans (music), Gus Kahn and Edward Eliscu (lyrics). Linwood Dunn did the special effects for the celebrated airplane-wing dance sequence at the end of the film. In this film, Dolores del Rio became the first major actress to wear a two-piece women’s bathing suit onscreen.
“Come Fly with Me” is a 1958 popular song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. “Come Fly with Me” was written for Frank Sinatra, and was the title track of his album of the same name. The song sets the tone for the rest of the album, describing adventures in exotic locales, in Bombay, Peru and Acapulco Bay as the Jet Age began. It subsequently became part of Sinatra’s concert repertoire, and would feature in numerous performances.
“Eight Miles High” is a song by the Byrds, written by Gene Clark, Roger McGuinn and David Crosby. It was first released as a single in March 1966. Musically influenced by sitar player Ravi Shankar and jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, the song was influential in developing the musical styles of psychedelia and raga rock. Accordingly, critics often cite “Eight Miles High” as being the first bona fide psychedelic rock song. “Eight Miles High” reached number 14 on the Billboard chart and number 24 in the UK.
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” is a song written and recorded by singer-songwriter John Denver in 1966, originally included on his debut demo recording John Denver Sings as “Babe I Hate To Go”. He made several copies and gave them out as presents for Christmas of that year. Denver’s then producer Milt Okun convinced him to change the title and was renamed “Leaving on a Jet Plane” in 1967. In 1969, simultaneous to the success of the Peter, Paul and Mary version, Denver recorded the song again for his debut studio album, Rhymes and Reasons, and was released as a single in October 1969 through RCA. Although it is one of John Denver’s best known songs, his single failed to enter the charts.
“Jet Airliner” is a song composed by Paul Pena in 1973 and popularized by the Steve Miller Band in 1977. Miller heard Pena’s unreleased New Train album through Ben Sidran, who produced it, and who was formerly in Miller’s band. Miller recorded Jet Airliner in 1975 during sessions for the Fly Like an Eagle album, but the song was not issued until 1977, when it was released as a single. The single reached No. 8 on the Billboard. In Canada, the song spent two weeks at No. 3
Fly Like an Eagle” is a song written by Steve Miller for the album of the same name. It went to number two on the Billbaord chart in March 1977. The single edit can be found on the Greatest Hits album. The song has an unusually mellow and “dreamy” feel. It is usually played in tandem with “Space Intro”, but the song also segues into “Wild Mountain Honey”.
“Fly Away” is a song by American singer Lenny Kravitz. It was released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, 5 (1998). Released in November, “Fly Away” peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard. Outside of the United States, “Fly Away” topped the charts in Iceland and the United Kingdom and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Performance in 1999.
