Time for Me to Fly

REO Speedwagon's "Time for Me to Fly" is a rock ballad yearning for freedom and chasing dreams. Gentle acoustic verses build to a soaring chorus, metaphorical wings carrying the singer "beyond the clouds." Though not a major hit, its uplifting message resonated, even finding new life in Netflix's "Ozark." So, spread your wings and take flight!

REO Speedwagon's "Time for Me to Fly" wasn't an instant smash hit, peaking at number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it gained renewed recognition after being featured in Netflix's "Ozark," propelling it to the number 34 spot on the Digital Songs chart. So, what makes this song endure?

Written by lead singer Kevin Cronin, the song took ten years to develop, reflecting a deeply personal journey. It's a classic rock anthem about yearning for independence and chasing dreams. The lyrics paint a picture of feeling constricted and longing to break free, like a bird finally ready to leave the nest: "Been livin' in a cage, gotta find my wings / Spread 'em wide and take off, gotta find new things."

Musically, the song starts with a gentle acoustic guitar intro, building into a soaring rock arrangement driven by powerful drums and Cronin's emotional vocals. The catchy chorus is anthemic, inviting listeners to sing along: "It's time for me to fly, gotta reach for the sky / Leave the ground, touch the clouds, way up high."

While seemingly generic on the surface, "Time for Me to Fly" resonates with anyone who's ever felt the urge to break free from limitations and pursue their own path. It's a timeless message of self-discovery and empowerment, delivered with infectious melody and driving rock energy. This, combined with its recent pop culture resurgence, has cemented "Time for Me to Fly" as a rock classic that continues to inspire listeners across generations.

Big hair, synths galore, and love soaring high like shoulder pads. 80s ballads promised forever in neon, whispered secrets over sax solos, and danced 'til dawn with a touch of heartbreak. From Whitney's power anthems to Michael's smooth whispers, every beat pulsed with passion, chasing dreams on roller skates and holding love closer than a Rubik's Cube solution.

The love songs of the 80s, where big hair met big emotions! These sonic valentines throbbed with synthesizers, soaring power ballads, and a touch of neon-tinged optimism.

First love, innocent and electric, pulsed through songs like Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and Michael Jackson's "The Girl Is Mine." Synthy anthems like Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" and Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" promised forever young devotion, while the power ballad kings like Foreigner ("I Want to Know What Love Is") and REO Speedwagon ("Can't Fight This Feeling") belted out their hearts in epic choruses.

For a touch of melancholy, there were break-up bangers like Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and Tears for Fears' "Shout," where wounded hearts raged against betrayal. But even heartbreak shimmered with hope, exemplified by Phil Collins' "Against All Odds" and Tina Turner's "Simply the Best," anthems of resilience and finding love again.

Beyond the mainstream, alternative love bloomed in The Cure's introspective "Lovesong" and The Smiths' Morrissey crooning about rainy day romance. And who could forget Prince's purple reign of sensuality, from the simmering "Kiss" to the playful "Raspberry Beret?"

Love in the 80s was big, bold, and sometimes cheesy, but always passionate. These songs were the soundtrack to first kisses, prom nights, and mixtapes passed between lockers. They captured the era's vibrant spirit, reminding us that even shoulder pads and leg warmers couldn't contain the power of a good love song.