Fly Like an Eagle (song)
Encyclopedia
"Fly Like an Eagle" is a song written by Steve Miller
and by Steve Miller Band guitarist Steve McCarty on the album Fly Like an Eagle
. The song went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the week of January 8, 1977. The single edit can be found on Greatest Hits (1974–1978). The song has an unusually mellow and "dreamy" feel. It is usually played in tandem with "Space Intro".
parts (albeit with similar delay effects). The lyrics are slightly different, indicating that the place the eagle wants to fly away from is a Native American
reservation.
The main guitar hook in the song was first used in a slightly different form on Miller's 1969 track "My Dark Hour" (which featured Paul McCartney
).
for his single Rollin' in My 5.0
. Ice has performed Fly Like an Eagle as a guest performer during Steve Miller Band shows.
The Neville Brothers covered this song on their album "Family Groove" in 1994.
The artist Seal
covered this song for the Space Jam
soundtrack, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 13 on the UK Singles Chart
and number 2 on the Canadian RPM 100 Chart
.
Polvo
covered the song live
, introducing it with 'This is a song about blatant localism
'.
In 1998, guitarist Ed Hamilton covered the song from his album "Groovology."
from 1998–2002, using the "Eagle" logo
.
The song has a parody called "Fry Up an Eagle" by comedian Tim Cavanagh
about a man's curious appetite for unusual animals, specifically the bald eagle
which was taken off the endangered species list within the past decade.
The song is featured as a playable song in Rock Band 3
.
Steve Miller (musician)
Steven H. "Steve" Miller is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter who began his career in blues and blues rock and evolved to a more popular-oriented sound which, from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s, resulted in a series of successful singles and albums.-Early years:Born in Milwaukee,...
and by Steve Miller Band guitarist Steve McCarty on the album Fly Like an Eagle
Fly Like an Eagle
- Track listing :Side one# "Space Intro" – 1:15# "Fly Like an Eagle" – 4:42# "Wild Mountain Honey" – 4:51# "Serenade" – 3:13...
. The song went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the week of January 8, 1977. The single edit can be found on Greatest Hits (1974–1978). The song has an unusually mellow and "dreamy" feel. It is usually played in tandem with "Space Intro".
Background
An earlier 1973 version of the song features a more bluesy and less funk-inspired rhythm, and guitar taking the synthesizerSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
parts (albeit with similar delay effects). The lyrics are slightly different, indicating that the place the eagle wants to fly away from is a Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
reservation.
The main guitar hook in the song was first used in a slightly different form on Miller's 1969 track "My Dark Hour" (which featured Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
).
Cover versions
The song was sampled by Vanilla IceVanilla Ice
Robert Matthew Van Winkle , best known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, extreme athlete and home improvement television personality...
for his single Rollin' in My 5.0
Rollin' in My 5.0
"Rollin' in my 5.0" is a hip hop song written by American rapper Vanilla Ice. The song samples Fly Like an Eagle by The Steve Miller Band, but unlike other artist sampled by Vanilla Ice, Steve Miller was honored by the sample and between 2009-2010, Vanilla Ice would sometimes join the Steve Miller...
. Ice has performed Fly Like an Eagle as a guest performer during Steve Miller Band shows.
The Neville Brothers covered this song on their album "Family Groove" in 1994.
The artist Seal
Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
covered this song for the Space Jam
Space Jam (soundtrack)
- Album singles :...
soundtrack, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 13 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and number 2 on the Canadian RPM 100 Chart
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
.
Polvo
Polvo
Polvo is an American indie noise rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The band, formed in 1990, is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Brian Quast plays drums, and Steve Popson plays bass guitar...
covered the song live
Rock concert
The term rock concert refers to a musical performance in the style of any one of many genres inspired by "rock and roll" music. While a variety of vocal and instrumental styles can constitute a rock concert, this phenomenon is typically characterized by bands playing at least one electric guitar,...
, introducing it with 'This is a song about blatant localism
Localism (politics)
Localism describes a range of political philosophies which prioritize the local. Generally, localism supports local production and consumption of goods, local control of government, and promotion of local history, local culture and local identity...
'.
In 1998, guitarist Ed Hamilton covered the song from his album "Groovology."
Charts
| End of year chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 79 |
Additional information
The song has also been used in advertisements by the United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
from 1998–2002, using the "Eagle" logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
.
The song has a parody called "Fry Up an Eagle" by comedian Tim Cavanagh
Tim Cavanagh
Tim Cavanagh is an American comedic musician.Cavanagh has been featured on many nationally-syndicated radio and television programs. His parody of 99 Red Balloons was the third most requested song on the Dr. Demento radio show in 1984...
about a man's curious appetite for unusual animals, specifically the bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
which was taken off the endangered species list within the past decade.
The song is featured as a playable song in Rock Band 3
Rock Band 3
Rock Band 3 is a music video game, developed by Harmonix Music Systems. The game was initially published and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts, respectively, with Mad Catz taking over both roles a year later. It is the third main game in the Rock Band series...
.