Broken Wings

"Broken Wings" is a deeply metaphorical song about a relationship in crisis, exploring themes of heartbreak, healing, and the potential for renewal. At its core, the song is a plea from one person to another to not give up on their love, despite the pain and damage they have both endured. The central metaphor, 'broken wings,' represents their shared emotional wounds, shattered hopes, and the inability to move forward or feel free. The narrator acknowledges this broken state but sees a path to recovery through mutual support and acceptance.

The lyrics are inspired by the 1912 novel 'The Broken Wings' by Kahlil Gibran, which tells the story of a tragic, doomed love. The song echoes the book's themes of love facing societal or internal obstacles. The call to 'take these broken wings and learn to fly again' is a powerful invocation of resilience. It suggests that by confronting their shared brokenness, they can find the strength to heal together and rediscover the freedom and joy they once had. The 'book of love' that 'will open up and let us in' symbolizes a return to a state of grace and intimacy, a reward for their perseverance.

The song captures a moment of intense emotional vulnerability. The narrator senses a profound distance from their partner ('a stranger's soul upon your face') and fears an imminent end ('the sound of a closing door'). It's a conversation about salvaging a relationship from the brink of collapse, making the emotional stakes incredibly high. While some interpretations suggest themes of recovery from addiction, the primary and most supported meaning revolves around the struggle and hope within a fractured romantic relationship.

The song unfolds as a poignant conversation with a loved one, set against a backdrop of emotional turmoil and uncertainty. The narrator begins by sensing a deep, unspoken distress in their partner's eyes, a 'stranger's soul' that betrays a hidden pain. This perception is jarring, creating a sense of distance and confusion within what was once a familiar and intimate connection. The atmosphere is heavy with the feeling of an impending end, likened to the 'sound of a closing door' heard between heartbeats, symbolizing a finality that is both feared and acknowledged.

The central plea of the song emerges in the chorus: an offering of vulnerability and a call to mutual healing. The narrator asks their partner to 'take these broken wings,' a powerful metaphor for their shared brokenness, emotional wounds, and shattered dreams. The act of taking them is an acceptance of this shared state, and the subsequent line, 'and learn to fly again, learn to live so free,' is a declaration of hope and resilience. It's a suggestion that together, they can overcome their current state of being grounded by sorrow and rediscover freedom and wholeness. This healing process is tied to a spiritual or deeply romantic awakening, where 'the book of love will open up and let us in,' signifying a return to a state of pure, untroubled connection.

The verses continue to paint a picture of a relationship at a precipice. The narrator implores their partner not to give up, to let their heart guide them past the pain. The imagery of a 'half-drawn shade' in a lover's window speaks to guardedness and emotional unavailability, a barrier that the narrator is desperate to break through. They feel a sense of urgency, as if this is the last chance to salvage what they have. The desire is not just for the partner to stay, but for them to truly see the narrator and understand the depth of their commitment and their shared struggle.

The bridge and outro amplify this desperate, hopeful plea. The repetition of 'you're half of the flesh and blood, and you're the only one' emphasizes a profound sense of codependency and singular importance; the partner is seen as an essential, irreplaceable part of the narrator's own being. The final, fading repetitions of the chorus act as a mantra, a lingering prayer for recovery and reunion. It leaves the listener in a state of 'sustained anticipation,' unsure if the wings will mend and the flight will be successful, but holding onto the potent possibility of redemption through shared vulnerability and enduring love.

"Broken Wings" was written by Mr. Mister's lead singer and bassist Richard Page, keyboardist Steve George, and their long-time collaborator and lyricist John Lang, who was Page's cousin. The song was famously composed very quickly, in about 20 minutes, at Page's home in California and recorded on his tape machine. It was released in June 1985 as the lead single from their second album, Welcome to the Real World.

The lyrical inspiration came directly from lyricist John Lang, who had been reading Kahlil Gibran's 1912 novel, The Broken Wings. The book's story of a love affair doomed by societal conventions provided the thematic foundation for the song's narrative of a fractured relationship and the hope for healing. The band initially had to fight their record label, RCA, who wanted a more uptempo song as the lead single. However, the band prevailed, and their choice was vindicated when the song became a massive success.

The song's distinctive atmospheric sound was a product of its time, mixing synth pads, a prominent bassline played by Page, and digitally delayed guitars. The hissing sound in the intro was a creative studio effect achieved by playing the sound of a crash cymbal in reverse. The song was produced by the band along with Paul De Villiers. Upon its release, it became the band's breakthrough hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1985 and staying there for two weeks.

"Broken Wings" employs a relatively simple and direct rhyme scheme that enhances its lyrical clarity and emotional impact, while its rhythm creates a deliberate, melancholic pace.

Rhyme Scheme: The verse structure generally follows an ABCB pattern, which gives it a natural, conversational flow without feeling overly rigid. For example, in the first verse, 'face' (A) and 'beats' (C) are unrhymed, while 'eyes' (B) and 'goodbyes' (B) create a soft couplet. The chorus uses a more structured rhyme with 'again' and 'in,' creating a memorable and cohesive hook. The simplicity of the rhymes ensures that the focus remains on the powerful central metaphor and the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Rhythm and Tempo: The song is a mid-tempo ballad, characterized by a steady, almost plodding rhythm that contributes to its somber and introspective mood. The drum pattern is persistent but not overpowering, providing a solid foundation for the layers of synths and the fluid bassline. The song's rhythmic structure contributes to a sense of 'ominous churn' and sustained tension rather than a driving beat. This lack of a strong, danceable rhythm forces the listener to engage with the song on an emotional level. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is seamless; Richard Page's vocal phrases often hang over the beat, emphasizing the feeling of yearning and unresolved tension that is central to the song's identity.

"Broken Wings" is a masterful example of mid-1980s pop-rock production, blending musical and lyrical techniques to create a distinct, atmospheric mood.

Musical Techniques:

• Synth-Heavy Arrangement: The song is defined by its use of synthesizers, which create a lush, ominous, and atmospheric soundscape that permeates the track. This was characteristic of the new wave and pop-rock genres of the era.
• Prominent Fretless Bass: Richard Page's distinctive fretless bass line is a core melodic element, providing a fluid, mournful counterpoint to the vocals and synths.
• Gated Reverb and Electronic Drums: The drum sound, handled by Pat Mastelotto, features the gated reverb effect typical of the 80s, creating a powerful but controlled percussive feel.
• Delayed Guitar Textures: Steve Farris's guitar work is atmospheric rather than aggressive, using digital delay effects to add texture and depth without overwhelming the synth and vocal layers.
• Sustained Musical Tension: The song's structure creates a feeling of 'sustained anticipation.' The chord progressions often revolve around minor and suspended chords that avoid full resolution, mirroring the lyrical themes of uncertainty and unresolved emotional conflict. The song never reaches a traditional rock climax, instead maintaining a steady, churning intensity.

Literary Techniques:

• Central Metaphor: The entire song is built around the extended metaphor of 'broken wings' to represent emotional damage and the hope for recovery.
• Vivid Imagery: The lyrics employ strong imagery, such as seeing a 'stranger's soul upon your face' and hearing a 'closing door,' to convey feelings of alienation and finality.
• Rhetorical Plea: The chorus acts as a rhetorical plea, a direct and emotionally charged request ('Take these broken wings') that drives the song's narrative and emotional weight.
• Emotive Vocal Delivery: Richard Page's vocal performance is a key stylistic element. He delivers the lyrics with a sincere, almost desperate tone, described as an 'animal yelp' on the word 'take,' which intensifies the song's emotional impact.

"Broken Wings" was a massive commercial success and became an emblematic song of the mid-1980s, leaving a significant cultural footprint.

Chart Performance: The song was a major international hit. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US in December 1985, where it stayed for two weeks. It also topped the charts in Canada and reached the top ten in numerous other countries, including the UK, Australia, Norway, and West Germany, solidifying Mr. Mister's global presence. The success of "Broken Wings" and the follow-up #1 single "Kyrie" propelled their album Welcome to the Real World to multi-platinum status.

MTV and Music Video: The song's iconic black-and-white music video, directed by Oley Sassone, received heavy rotation on MTV and the then-new VH1. The cinematic video, with its desert landscapes, classic Ford Thunderbird, and symbolic hawk, was crucial in establishing the song's moody aesthetic and contributed significantly to its popularity.

Legacy and Influence: "Broken Wings" is considered one of the definitive power ballads of the 1980s. Its influence extends beyond its time, having been featured in various media, most notably on the popular soft rock radio station 'Emotion 98.3' in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, which introduced the song to a new generation. The song has also been sampled and covered by other artists. In 2001, it was prominently sampled in the posthumous Tupac Shakur song "Until the End of Time," which became a hit, particularly in the UK. The band received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song in 1986.

The song is built around powerful and evocative symbolism, primarily the central metaphor of 'broken wings'.

• Broken Wings: This is the most significant metaphor, representing a state of being damaged, emotionally wounded, and unable to function or progress. It can symbolize a broken relationship, shattered dreams, or a loss of spirit. The act of asking someone to 'take' these wings implies a shared burden and a plea for help, acknowledging that healing cannot be done alone. The subsequent goal to 'learn to fly again' is a metaphor for recovery, regaining freedom, and moving on from past trauma.
• The Hawk: In the iconic black-and-white music video, a hawk plays a crucial symbolic role. It appears to lead the protagonist on his journey, flying into a church and sharing a gaze with him. The video's director, Oley Sassone, explained that the hawk represents the hero's 'own soul, his own voice deep inside telling him to carry on - to lead him to a new path, a new beginning.' It functions as a spirit guide, embodying the freedom and clarity the protagonist seeks.
• Closing Door: The lyric 'I can hear the sound of a closing door' is a potent symbol of finality and the end of an opportunity. Heard 'between the echoes of our beating hearts,' it suggests that this sense of ending is an undeniable, visceral truth felt deep within the relationship.
• Book of Love: This represents a pure, ideal state of connection and understanding within the relationship. The hope that it will 'open up and let us in' symbolizes a desire for redemption and a return to a time of happiness and intimacy, contingent on their ability to heal their 'broken wings' together.

The most powerful recurring element in "Broken Wings" is the chorus, which functions as the song's central thesis and emotional core.

Lyrical Motif: "Take these broken wings and learn to fly again"

This phrase is the primary lyrical motif, repeated multiple times throughout the song. Its repetition serves several key purposes:

• Reinforcement of Theme: Each repetition drills home the central message of hope born from shared vulnerability. It's not just a passing idea but a desperate, constant prayer for healing and resilience.
• Emotional Climax: While the music itself avoids a traditional climax, the chorus provides the emotional peak of the song. Richard Page's impassioned delivery makes this repeated plea the most memorable and impactful part of the track.
• Structural Anchor: The chorus provides a solid structural anchor, a point of return after the more narrative and questioning verses. This structure mirrors the psychological state of the narrator: despite the confusion and pain described in the verses, they always return to this central hope for recovery.

Musical Motif:

The song's introductory synthesizer riff is a significant musical motif. This ambient, slightly melancholic synth line opens the song and reappears between sections, instantly establishing the track's atmospheric and introspective tone. It acts as an auditory signature for the song, as recognizable as the vocal hook itself. This synth motif, combined with the distinctive reverse-cymbal 'hiss,' creates an immediate sense of place and mood that defines the entire composition.