Regine Velasquez, On The Wings of Love | COVERS

In the eighth edition of COVERS (2026), Regine Velasquez delivers a compelling rendition of “On The Wings of Love,” originally performed by Jeffrey Osborne.

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”A” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]h, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established and lesser-known musicians. In the eighth edition of COVERS (2025), Regine Velasquez delivers a compelling rendition of “On The Wings of Love”, originally performed by Jeffrey Osborne.  [/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

[nx_pullquote]“On the wings of love / Up and above the clouds / The only way to fly / Is on the wings of love.”[/nx_pullquote] Filipino singer and actress Regine Velasquez (b. 1970) had an elephantine task: covering a Jeffrey Osborne (b. 1948) classic.  “On The Wings of Love” marked one of the triumphs of Osborne’s career post-L.T.D.  He had three higher-peaking hits, but it’s hard to deny how special “Wings” is. He composed the song with Peter Schless.  Velasquez proved she was up to the task of reintroducing the 1982 hit to a new generation and making it her own. “On The Wings of Love” is the opening track from her 1999 album, R2K.

The first thing one with a keenly perceptive ear notices is that “On The Wings of Love” is in a different key compared to the original.  That is to be expected with two starkly different vocalists performing it.  The key suits Regine Velasquez perfectly. The production is solid; the musical backdrop sounds warm, refined, and sophisticated.  Some of the sounds that catch the ears are the keys, ripe electric guitar, and soaring strings. Regine sounds passionate as she sings.  She sings with ease for most of the song – calm, cool, and collected.  She doesn’t force things, sounding as if she barely breaks a sweat.  The chorus sections, excerpted earlier, deliver some of her most elite moments. She continues, “On the wings of love / Only the two of us / Together flying high / Flying high up on the wings of love.” Velasquez ups the ante during the bridge section, losing some of her poise for more dynamic, powerhouse vocals.

“Yes, you belong to me

And I’m yours exclusively

Right now, we live and breathe each other

Inseparable, it seems

We’re flowing like a stream running

Free trav’ling

On the wings of love.”

She eats up the key change.  After reaching the new key, she returns to a place of poise, while still showing incredible vocal command and presence.  Some of her ad-libs and melodic tweaks feel just right to make “On The Wings of Love” her song.  Ultimately, “On The Wings of Love”, in the hands of Regine Velasquez, is a special, noteworthy musical listening experience.  She does a mighty fine job with this beloved ‘80s pop/R&B ballad.