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Flying Without Wings

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"Flying Without Wings"
One of European artwork
Single by Westlife
from the album Westlife and Pokémon: The Movie 2000 soundtrack
B-side
  • "Everybody Knows"
  • "That's What It's All About"
Released18 October 1999 (1999-10-18)[1]
StudioRokstone (London, England)
GenrePop
Length3:36
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Steve Mac
Westlife singles chronology
"If I Let You Go"
(1999) 		"Flying Without Wings"
(1999) 		"I Have a Dream" / "Seasons in the Sun"
(1999)
Music video
"Flying Without Wings" on YouTube

"Flying Without Wings" is a song by Irish boy band Westlife, released on 18 October 1999 as the third single from their self-titled debut studio album (1999). It is the band's fourth-best-selling single on both paid-for and combined sales in the United Kingdom as of January 2019.[2]

Background

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The song was written by Wayne Hector and Steve Mac. In an interview with HitQuarters, Hector said the basic idea for the song came to him while on a break from working on a hip hop session with Ezi Cut in Los Angeles:

I came up with a couple of lines for the first verse and then phoned my mama's house, left it on the answering machine, and said, "Don't get rid of this!"[3]

Upon returning to England, Hector went into the studio to work on the idea with long-time songwriting partner and producer Steve Mac.[3] When the two discussed what the song was about they agreed that "this is about our wives. This is about the things that make our lives complete."[3] According to Hector the lyrics were completed in about half an hour.[3] He added, "Flying Without Wings was a life-changing moment, and a song he says he is particularly proud of. A big moment for me was when Flying Without Wings came out, I'd had a few Number 1s at that point, but that convinced people I could write good pop songs. After that, I started working with bigger acts and over a more diverse range of genres, including country and rock, which helped me pick up some credibility." The band's manager later revealed the song had been planned as the first solo single for Boyzone's Stephen Gately. "Stephen did the demo and he thought it was going to be his song," Walsh recalls. "I'll be quite honest, I missed it, but as soon as Simon heard it he just went bananas. It was really difficult because Westlife were on tour with Boyzone, as the support act."[4]

In a documentary aired on UTV called Westlife Back Home, band member Shane Filan said it is probably the best song of their career, while former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (band member Nicky Byrne's father-in-law) revealed it is his favourite tune from the chart-topping band. The song also won the band their first of four Record of the Year prizes on the annual televised ITV music awards on 11 December 1999, scoring a total of 159,590 votes to beat Boyzone's Ronan Keating to the title.[5]

The Official Charts Company stated, "Flying Without Wings wasn't the first boyband ballad, nor is it the biggest selling, but it was certainly influential. After Flying Without Wings, what self-respecting boyband would dare stay seated on a stool for a key change? Stand, boys! Flying Without Wings has soundtracked births, proposals, marriages, funerals, and untold TV talent show montages over the last two decades."

Commercial performance

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The song became the group's third UK number-one single, spending 13 weeks on charts.[6] It also received a platinum sales certification in the UK and has sold over 800,000 copies with 37 million streams there as of November 2021.[7][8]

Track listings

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Credits and personnel

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Credits are lifted from the UK CD1 and Westlife liner notes.[9][14]

Studios

  • Choir recorded at Avatar Studios (New York City)
  • Engineered and programmed at Rokstone Studios (London, England)

Personnel

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Sweden (GLF)[34] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[7] Platinum 800,000[8]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Duets

[edit]
"Flying Without Wings"
Promotional single by Westlife featuring BoA
from the album Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Volume 1 (Asian edition), Shine We Are! and Next World
Released2003 (2003) (Asia)
Recorded2002
GenrePop
Length3:36
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Audio video
"Flying Without Wings" on YouTube
"Flying Without Wings"
Promotional single by Westlife featuring Cristian Castro
from the album Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Volume 1 (Spanish/Mexican edition)
Released2002 (2002) (Mexico)
GenrePop
Length3:36
Songwriter(s)
Music video
"Flying Without Wings" on YouTube

In 2002, as part of the promotion of their album Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Volume 1, the song was re-recorded as a duet with Mexican singer Cristian Castro and South Korean pop singer, BoA. Each duet was included on the Spanish & Asian editions of the album. Both duets were also released as singles in their two respective regions.[35]

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Flying Without Wings" (Duet with Cristian Castro) - 3:35
  2. "Never Knew I Was Losing You" - 4:09
  1. "Flying Without Wings" (Duet with BoA) - 3:35
  2. "Never Knew I Was Losing You" - 4:09

Live version

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In 2004, as part of the promotion for their Turnaround Tour, the band released the live version of the song. It was recorded during their tour in Stockholm Globe Arena. Their live version peaked at number one in UK Singles Chart and was the first ever number one in the UK downloads chart.[38]

Track listing

[edit]
  • UK
  1. "Flying Without Wings" (Live)[39]

Charts

[edit]
Charts (2004) Peak
position
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[40] 1

Video album

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A karaoke version of "Flying Without Wings" was released on DVD in 2000 and debuted at number one. It includes lyrics, photographs, and interactive menus. It has a running time of 45 minutes.[41]

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Swear It Again"
  2. "If I Let You Go"
  3. "Flying Without Wings"
  4. "Fool Again"
  5. "Seasons in the Sun"
  6. "I Have a Dream"
  7. "More Than Words"
  8. "Against All Odds"

CD production

[edit]
Arranged by (strings) : Richard Niles
Arranged by (vocals) : Steve Mac, Wayne Hector
Arranged by, mixed by : Steve Mac
Artwork by (design) : Root
Photography : Brian Aris
Bass guitar : Steve Pearce
Guitar : Paul Gendler
Performer (Choir Md) : Benny Diggs
Engineer (Mix) : Matt Howe
Engineer, Programmed by : Chris Laws
Other (management) : Louis Walsh, Ronan Keating

Other appearances

[edit]

The Westlife song has appeared in the 2000 Warner Bros. Pictures film Pokémon: The Movie 2000 as the final song of the credits in the film and on the official movie soundtrack.[42] It also featured in the 2000 Australian film The Magic Pudding and 2000 French film Archibald the Koala: The Movie. It also appeared in the Korean drama I'm Sorry, I Love You and its soundtrack as well.

On 12 May 2018, the song was performed on Korean music programme 'Immortal Songs 2' by Ali who placed second place that night. Band member Shane Filan was the featured 'Legend' and judged the participants.

In 2020, the song appeared as a music background on one of McDonald's UK and Ireland advertisements.

Ruben Studdard version

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"Flying Without Wings"
Single by Ruben Studdard
A-side"Superstar"[43]
Released10 June 2003 (2003-06-10)
Recorded2003
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ruben Studdard singles chronology
"Flying Without Wings" / "Superstar"
(2003) 		"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
(2003)
Music video
"Flying Without Wings" on YouTube

"Flying Without Wings" was covered by American Idol winner Ruben Studdard as his debut single in 2003. The single was released on 10 June and charted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 on 28 June, behind "This Is the Night" by American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken. "Flying Without Wings" also appeared on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, peaking at number 13, and the Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number 27. The double A-side single with "Superstar" was released in Canada and New Zealand, peaking at number two in both countries, behind Aiken's release.

Charts

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References

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  1. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 18 October, 1999" (PDF). Music Week. 16 October 1999. p. 23. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  2. ^ Copsey, Rob (12 January 2019). "Westlife's Top 20 biggest songs on the Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d "Interview With Wayne Hector", HitQuarters, 1 February 2010.
  4. ^ Robinson, Peter (20 June 2012). "Westlife bow out after 15-year ballad career based on hit formula". the Guardian.
  5. ^ "Westlife win song award". BBC News. 12 December 1999.
  6. ^ a b "Westlife: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  7. ^ a b "British single certifications – Westlife – Flying Without Wings". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  8. ^ a b Ainsley, Helen (30 November 2021). "Westlife's Top 20 biggest songs on the Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  9. ^ a b Flying Without Wings (UK & Australian CD1 liner notes). Westlife. RCA Records, BMG. 1999. 74321 709162.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Flying Without Wings (UK & Australian CD2 liner notes). Westlife. RCA Records, BMG. 1999. 74321 709172.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Flying Without Wings (UK cassette single sleeve). Westlife. RCA Records, BMG. 1999. 74321709164.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Flying Without Wings (European CD single liner notes). Westlife. RCA Records, BMG. 1999. 74321 712782.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Flying Without Wings (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Westlife. RCA Records, BMG. 1999. 74321 712752.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Westlife (US CD album liner notes). Westlife. Arista Records, BMG. 2000. 07822-14642-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ "Westlife – Flying Without Wings". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  16. ^ "Westlife – Flying Without Wings" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  17. ^ "Westlife – Flying Without Wings" (in French). Ultratip.
  18. ^ Hits of the World – Eurochart. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 13 November 1999 – via Internet Archive. westlife.
  19. ^ "Westlife: Flying Without Wings" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  20. ^ "Westlife – Flying Without Wings" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (25.11– 2.12 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 26 November 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  22. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Flying Without Wings". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Westlife" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  24. ^ "Westlife – Flying Without Wings" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Westlife – Flying Without Wings". VG-lista.
  26. ^ "Westlife – Flying Without Wings". Top 40 Singles.
  27. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  28. ^ "Westlife – Flying Without Wings". Singles Top 100.
  29. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  30. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. 22 January 2000. p. 27.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2000" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  33. ^ "End of Year Charts 2000". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  34. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2001" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  35. ^ "Westlife Flying Without Wings Mexico Promo 5" CD SINGLE (239371)". Eil.com. 12 March 2003. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  36. ^ "Westlife Flying Without Wings Mexico 5" CD SINGLE (244450)". Eil.com. 24 April 2003. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  37. ^ "Westlife Flying Without Wings Japan Promo 5" CD SINGLE (255411)". Eil.com. 15 August 2003. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  38. ^ "Westlife top first download chart". 1 September 2004 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  39. ^ "Westlife". www.westlife.com.[permanent dead link‍]
  40. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Westlife Flying Without Wings Karaoke UK DIGITAL VERSATILE DISC (246048)". Eil.com. 7 May 2003. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  42. ^ "Pokemon 2000: The Power of One- Original Soundtrack;". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  43. ^ Flying Without Wings / Superstar (US & Canadian CD single liner notes). Ruben Studdard. J Records, 19 Recordings, S Records. 2003. 82876 51786-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  44. ^ "Ruben Studdard Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  45. ^ "Ruben Studdard – Flying Without Wings / Superstar". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  46. ^ "Ruben Studdard Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  47. ^ "Ruben Studdard Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  48. ^ "Ruben Studdard Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  49. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2003". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
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