Spread Your Wings
| "Spread Your Wings" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Sheer Heart Attack" |
"Spread Your Wings" is a ballad by the rock band Queen, from their 1977 album News of the World.[1] Written by bassist John Deacon, it was released as the A side of the single Spread Your Wings/Sheer Heart Attack in 1978. It features Freddie Mercury on the piano and vocals, Brian May on the electric guitar, Roger Taylor on the drums, and John Deacon on the bass guitar. A live version of the song appears in the band's 1979 album Live Killers.[1] The song peaked at number 34 in the UK.
The song is in 4/4 meter, and starts with a simple piano motif in D. It is written in D Major, then modulating up to D's relative minor, B minor in the bridge, coming down to D in the chorus.
The lyrics of the song describe a troubled young man named Sammy who works at The Emerald Bar, sweeping the floor.[2] The narrator (Freddie Mercury) of the song encourages Sammy to pursue his dreams, telling him to "spread your wings and fly away".[2]
Personnel
- Freddie Mercury - lead vocals, piano
- Brian May - guitars
- Roger Taylor - drums
- John Deacon - bass guitar
Charts
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[3] | 20 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[4] | 26 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[5] | 34 |
Cover versions
This song was covered by German power metal band Blind Guardian on their 1992 album Somewhere Far Beyond. The same recording reappeared on their 1996 album The Forgotten Tales.
References
- ^ a b Your Wings News of the World: Spread Your Wings (Track 5) Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 11 July 2011
- ^ a b Spread Your Wings Allmusic. Retrieved 11 July 2011
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Queen" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- ^ "Queen – Spread Your Wings" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
