"Broken Wings" is a 1985 song recorded by American pop rock band Mr. Mister. It was released in September 1985 as the lead single from their second album Welcome to the Real World. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1985, where it remained for two weeks. It was released as the band was just about to embark on a US tour opening for Tina Turner. The song peaked at number four in the United Kingdom, the highest chart position the group ever achieved in Britain. Broken Wings became the first of two consecutive number ones of the band on the American charts, the other top single was "Kyrie".
Background and music
The song was co-written with lyricist John Lang, who was inspired by a book called "Broken Wings" written by Kahlil Gibran. 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.
The music video for "Broken Wings" was directed by Oley Sassone and filmed in black-and-white. It features lead vocalist/bassist Richard Page driving through the desert in a classic Ford Thunderbird, the first allusion to birds. There is a scene where Page is sitting in a church when a Harris's Hawk 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. Also appearing in the video are an unknown man and woman dancing tango. They are only shown from the waist down. At the end of the video Page is seen next to the Thunderbird with the vehicle's hood open, symbolizing broken wings.
7" Single
- "Broken Wings" (single edit) - 4:29
- "Uniform of Youth" - 4:25
12" Maxi Single
- "Broken Wings" (album version) - 5:45
- "Uniform of Youth" - 4:25
- "Welcome to the Real World" - 4:18
In 1986, it was covered by Rodney Franklin on his album It Takes Two.
In 1992, Prince's ex-wife Mayte covered the song, with backing vocals by her older sister Janíce García. Her version wasn't included on her album Child of the Sun.
In 1992, short-lived British duo Network released a cover which reached No. 46 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 1995, it was covered by John Tesh on his album Sax By the Fire.
In 1998, it was covered by C-Block on their album 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 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on fictional station Emotion 98.3 and in the opening scene of the game.
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 2004, Richard Cheese performed this live in Las Vegas on his album I'd Like a Virgin.
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 album A Thousand Different Ways.
In 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 album Songs from the Glasshouse.
In 2007, it was covered by Northern Kings on their album Reborn.
In 2008, it was covered by Villa Black and appears on the album "Hôtel Costes A Decade by Stéphane Pompougnac".
In 2010, Jason Donovan recorded a cover version of "Broken Wings" for his '80s covers album Soundtrack of the 80s.
In 2012, it was covered by Roveena on her debut EP Perfect World released on Vintage Green Records Label.
In 2013, it was sampled and performed by Canadian R&B singer Danny Fernandes under the title "Fly Again (Broken Wings)".
In 2013, it was covered by Danish progressive metal band Anubis Gate on their EP entitled Sheep.
In 2014, it was covered and performed by singer Conchita Leeflang.
The song's various instrumental phrases were sampled in the Commodore 64 game Comic Bakery.
