Take Flight with These 11 Wings Songs | Playlist

1. Maxwell, “Pretty Wings”

BLACKsummers’night • Columbia • 2009

 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter  Maxwell is simply incredible.  His voice – that pure falsetto – does something to you when you listen.  Though he rarely releases new music, the Haitian-Puerto Rican American singer has solidified his legacy with a ‘quality over quantity’ approach.  The gap between Now and BLACKsummers’night was a whopping eight years! Thankfully, his 2009 comeback was well worth the wait, particularly the hit “Pretty Wings.”

“Pretty Wings” was written and produced by talented tandem of Musze (*cough* Maxwell *cough*) and Hod David.  At the time, which was 2009, “Pretty Wings” definitely didn’t sound like much of the R&B that was released that year.  Honestly, that’s part of its charm and why it felt so refreshing.  This was a recording featuring acoustic instruments and live instrumentation, something musicians were moving away from back then.

Focusing on the songwriting, while the title suggests happiness when it comes to romance, that’s not the case for Maxwell.  Here, he is brokenhearted – the relationship is D-O-N-E. Ultimately, Maxwell sings, “If I can’t have you, let love set you free / To fly your pretty wings around.”  He’s letting go and moving on – releasing her.

2. Mac Miller, “Wings”

Swimming • Warner • 2018

Sadly, Swimming would be the final studio album released by Grammy-nominated rapper Mac Miller while he was still alive .  Not long after releasing Swimming, Miller died of an overdose .  Incredibly talented, he was growing stronger and stronger as a musician, something shown throughout both Swimming and his posthumous album, Circles. Swimming is filled with a number of notable moments, including the slow, reflective “Wings.”

“Wings” was written by Miller and Alejandro Manzano, who also produces (credited as Alexander Spit). The resulting record is one that balances chill, mellow vibes but also packs a punch.  Much of that punch, of course, comes from Mac himself.  Here, within the context of Swimming specifically, Miller appears to be in a better place mentally. A number of lyrics point to a more optimistic outlook, such as “Never felt so damn good where I’m at,” as well as “The sun is shinin’, I can look at the horizon.”  Of course, after the fact, given Miller’s untimely death, one ponders just how healthy he really was.

3. 6 Dogs, “Good Wings”

RONALD. • Don’t Be Greedy • 2021

Sadly, rising Georgia rapper 6 Dogs (Ronald Chase Amick) became one of far too many young artists gone too soon.  Apparently, he took his own life at just 21 – tragic. Posthumously, his debut album, RONALD. (named after him) was released and features one high-flying WINGS song that’s a perfect fit for this list: “Good Wings”.  “Good Wings” was written by Ronald alongside producers Daniel Hartzog, David Morse, and William Jacob Woods Pugh (woods).

“Good Wings” is quite the beautiful melodic rap joint.  The production is buttery smooth, anchored by a trap beat – idiomatic of the southern vibes.  6 Dogs definitely has an optimal canvas to bless with his vocals.  Bless he does as much like the backdrop, 6 Dogs delivers a smooth, melodic, syrupy performance. He raps with ease, showcasing great potential (sadly lost) and easy-going, highly appealing flow.  The best part of the record is the chorus, which is mellow yet packs punch simultaneously.

“Knock, knock, butterfly doors to my mind
Caterpillar whip, make you fly every time, yeah
Out here trying to get it 'cause I know that it's mine
Stars on the map, I'ma watch as they align, yeah
They say good things get better over time
They say good wings get you higher than the sky
I’ma count this money on the days that I cry, yeah
I’ma count this money 'til the day that I die.”

4. Bette Midler, “Wind Beneath My Wings”

Beaches • Atlantic • 1988

Question: “Did you ever know that you’re my hero / And everything I would like to be?” Just hearing those famous lyrics give me chills! Bette Midler is undoubtedly an icon.  Her career as an award-winning actress and singer is truly amazing and ‘once in a lifetime.’  Among her most iconic moments was her recording of the oft-covered, much beloved song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.”  No, Midler was not the first to record this Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley penned hit. Doesn’t matter because her version, which appeared on the soundtrack for the film Beaches, has become the definitive, most decorated version of the song.

Few would deny that “Wind Beneath My Wings” is the perfect song.  The music and lyrics – incredibly thoughtful and poetically penned – are absolutely awesome. “It must’ve been cold there in my shadow,” the first verse commences, continuing, “To never have sunlight on your face.” So, so, gorgeous! Add those expressive vocals by Midler, along with a heaping dose of authenticity, and this record is nothing short of a juggernaut.  The chorus, excerpted at the top (the centerpiece of this masterpiece), continues as follows:

“I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings.”

5. Lauren Daigle, “Your Wings”

Look Up Child • Centricity Music • 2018

“When ten thousand arrows take flight / Remind me that you are my armor.” Yes, say that Lauren Daigle, say that ! The Grammy-winning Christian pop musician definitely experience her fair share of success on her 2018 album, Look Up Child.  Who says Christian pop can’t carve a space into the mainstream, particularly when much of the album alludes to or references God without specifically naming him. On “Your Wings”, Daigle compels with her commanding, distinct voice over this short but sweet Christian pop record.

As always, Lauren Daigle has an awesome, colorful backdrop to sing over.  “Your Wings” has a reggae, tropical aesthetic, which is chill and unexpected with religious, spiritual records.  Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury certainly put in work to ensure Daigle has ‘fuel for the fire.’ Not that she needed it, of course.  Lauren sings beautifully and you definitely buy what she’s selling – she comes over incredibly authentic.

“You got me under Your wings
Under Your wings
I'm under, I'm under Your wings
You got me
You cover me, You cover me
I'm under, I'm under Your wings.”

6. EARTHGANG, “Wings”

Mirrorland • Dreamville / Interscope • 2019

What better way to fly than via an EARTHGANG song? The intriguing hip-hop duo is comprised of Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot.  Damn do they make a formidable team! On their 2019 album, Mirrorland, they decided to spread their – wait for it – “Wings”!

“Wings” features a banging beat, which always seems to get the job done and provide fuel for the fire. We get a unique, idiosyncratic first verse performed by Johnny Venus.  Here, I love the tone with which he raps, which is quasi-melodic. The chorus, which also performs is simultaneously amazing and quirky.

“I'm still findin’ a way, spread my wings
Spread my wings, spread my wings
I'm still grindin’ today, spread my wings (Yeah)
Spread my wings, spread my wings
I still fly in the rain, spread my wings (Woo, yeah)
Spread my wings, spread my wings
I'm still grindin’ today, spread my wings
Spread my wings, spread my wings.”

The chorus is followed by a bridge by Doctur Dot, which also happens to be melodic: “Goin’ up for the city (For the city) / Goin’ up for the town (Goin’ up for the town).” Doctur Dot goes on to performs his own verse which provides a contrast.  It’s a more rap-oriented, though maintains a sense of pitch as well.  Ultimately, the results are positive – high-flying you might say!

7. EDEN, “wings”

vertigo • UMG Recordings, Inc. • 2018

“Finally found a way to get myself untangled / And undone, but it’s alright,” EDEN sings, continuing, “This ain’t been the dream in a long time / Make sure you play the music when my time’s up / Oh, just say it, I’m done.” Deep stuff for sure! “Wings” appears as the fourth track from vertigo, the 2018 debut album by the Irish singer, songwriter, and producer. “Wings” is a relatively short but intriguing record, clocking in just under three minutes.

Here, EDEN definitely has a picturesque backdrop to work with.  This includes strings, synths, and an awesome beat.  It’s safe to say, the production by himself definitely provides fuels his fire . His singing vocals are quite distinct and emotional; his tone is gorgeous to say the least.  Furthermore, the rhythmic approach to some of the vocals is definitely a selling point. Not without effects, during part of the performance, we get some distortion which provides welcome contrast.  Thematically, “wings” is all about those pesky matters of the heart.

“So, if you loved me, how was I supposed to know?
‘Cause now we’re fading and losing what we wanted most
But in spite of how you feel, it’s not the end of the world
Some say these things are for the best
How are you so sure?”

8. Tyler, The Creator, “Find Your Wings”

Ft. Roy Ayers, Syd & Kali Uchis

Cherry Bomb • Odd Future • 2015

“Find your wings (Fly) / Find your wings (Find your wings).” Few will deny that Tyler, the Creator is ‘rough around the edges.’ Honestly, his early catalog is incredibly raw and, in some respects, problematic.  That said, over the years, Tyler has done a better job of opening up about himself.  While, for example, he’s never confirmed his sexuality explicitly, on both Flower Boy and his Grammy-winning ‘rap’ album IGOR, it seems he’s clearly a member, in some capacity, of the LGBTQIA community.  Okay, okay – that was a tangent! Let’s focus on “Find Your Wings”, which hails from a generally cruder Tyler, the Creator album, Cherry Bomb (2015).

Although Cherry Bomb is one of those ‘rougher around the edges’ albums for Tyler, the song at hand is quite beautiful.  Here, the listener hears the musicianship of Tyler.  “Find Your Wings” is lush and jazzy – a palette comprised of vibraphone, horns, strings, and of course, keys/synths.  Notably, the title/titular lyric appear throughout Cherry Bomb. Tyler enlists the services of Syd, Kali Uchis, and Roy Ayers on vocals, in addition to his own vocals. Again, the beauty of the record is quite surprising – shocking at that point of the musician’s career.

9. R. Kelly, “Clipped Wings”

Write Me Back • RCA • 2012

“We would fly / I was your eagle, you were my dove, yeah / And nothing could come between us, no…” Man, oh man did R. Kelly screw things up royally.  He’s a gifted, Grammy winning singer/songwriter with hits upon hits, not to mention the hits upon hits he’s penned for others.  However, it’s one of his favorite topics he writes about, SEX, that ultimately caused his downfall, his demon.  Anytime a R. Kelly song is a prime example for a list, rather than merely judge the song as art, I have to consider the horrible things – crimes – committed by the creator.  For this wings-driven list, there’s a gorgeous record from Kelly’s 2012 album, Write Me Back, that is incredibly difficult to mute: “Clipped Wings.”

The most problematic aspect of “Clipped Wings” is the artist himself.  He produced the record with Warryn Campbell with the result being one of the classiest songs of his career.  Write Me Back as a whole was a conservative album on Kelly’s part, much like the album that precedes it, Love Me Back.  It shows a musician who can ‘clean it up’ musically, delivering refined, more soulful cuts that aren’t fueled by sex.  This is a lush record featuring radiant strings, gorgeous lyrics, and expressive, nuanced vocals by Kells.

“And baby I never meant to clip your wings
Oh, my love
Baby I never meant to clip your wings
Oh, my love
Baby I never meant to clip your wings
Now I’m wishin’ you could fly right back to me...”

Honestly, listening to such a marvelous record like “Clipped Wings” makes me sad.  R, man, why did you throw it all away?

10. Ruben Studdard, “Flying Without Wings”

Soulful • J • 2003

“Who can deny the joy it brings / When you find that special thing / You’re flying without wings.” The second season of the original run of American Idol might’ve been the most competitive season. The final two easily yielded the tightest race ever: Ruben Studdard versus Clay Aiken.  Studdard came out the victor off of single “Flying Without Wings”, an inspiring, beautiful cover from the Irish boy band, Westlife ( Westlife, 1999) penned by Wayne Hector and Steve Mac.

Ultimately, it didn’t matter that Studdard’s winning single was a cover.  Why? Well, most people were unaware of the original, at least stateside. Furthermore, Studdard’s R&B/gospel interpretation truly made it special. Ruben was, unfortunately, unable to beat out Aiken’s own cover single, “Bridge Over Trouble Water” on the Billboard Hot 100, but hey, hitting no. 2 isn’t the end of the world.  Most importantly, the inspirational, uplifting “Flying Without Wings” showed off Ruben’s silky smooth, expressive set of pipes.  At the time, it seemed his potential was through the roof.

“So impossible, as it may seem
You’ve got to fight for every dream
‘Cause who’s to know which one you let go
Would have made you complete?”

11. Jeffrey Osborne, “On the Wings of Love”

Jeffrey Osborne • UMG Recordings, Inc. • 1982

As a solo artist, R&B singer Jeffrey Osborne experienced the bulk of his success in the 1980s.  One of his biggest hits during his most lucrative period was “On the Wings of Love.”  The R&B gem appeared on Osborne’s 1982 debut album, simply titled Jeffrey Osborne. This brilliant, top-30 Billboard Hot 100 hit, was written by Osborne and Peter Harrison Schless and marvelously produced by the late, great George Duke.

There are so many pros to adore about this classic.  Beginning with Osborne, he sounds absolutely stunning.  He never over sings, exhibiting a sense of finesse and refinement while also being incredibly expressive and nuanced.  “On the Wings of Love,” in other words, is perfectly suited for him.  Besides the vocals, the lyrics are beautiful, drenched in L-O-V-E and built upon chivalry.  The crowning achievement, of course, is the chorus:

“On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Flying high up on the wings of love.”

Gorgeous! Of course, as aforementioned, the production work by Duke is on-point, including standard R&B/pop instrumentation, as well as strings.  Those strings, of course, amplify the elegance and certainly signal romance. “On the Wings of Love” is a classic that doesn’t require extensive analysis or commentary – it speaks for itself.  How was this NOT nominated for a Grammy? Sigh!