Flying Start

"Flying Start"
Single by Mike Oldfield with Kevin Ayers
from the album Islands
Released	1 February 1988 (1988-02-01)
Genre	Progressive rock, Pop rock
Label	Virgin Records
Writer(s)	Mike Oldfield
Producer	Mike Oldfield Simon Phillips (co-producer on B-side)
Mike Oldfield chronology
"Magic Touch" (1988) "Flying Start" (1988) "Earth Moving" (1989)

"Flying Start" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music). It is from the September 1987 album Islands.

Unusually for an Oldfield 12-inch at that time, the extended duration was achieved simply by a short introductory instrumental that bears no musical relation to the rest of the song and is separated from it by a short pause; the song itself is identical to the album and 7-inch versions. Prior to this, Oldfield had usually extended his songs for their 12-inch versions by incorporating an extra verse and/or instrumental section within the main body of the track.

Kevin Ayers

"Flying Start" features Kevin Ayers on vocals. The song was also released on Kevin Ayers' album Falling Up in February 1988. The music video features various computer generated elements.

Track listing

1. "Flying Start" (Extended version) – 4:50
2. "The Wind Chimes" (Excerpt from part 2) – 3:58