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if i had wings


composer
Written by: Kerr / Burchill


publisher
© EMI Music Publishing: (1998 - 2007)
© JKMC-Bucks Music Group Ltd / Hornall Music: (2008 - 2014)
© BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd: (2015 - 2019)
© Universal Music Publishing Group (2019 - 2023)
© BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd: (2023 -)


background
"Just like Icarus, who wouldn't want to fly!, anyone would want to at will just rise up and leave their given situation; staring down, whilewatching some great mess THAT WE FELT was overtaking our lives, get smaller and smaller until finally dissolving!"

"Imagine ALL those so called human tragedies becoming "insignificant little blips on the horizon" - which, incidentally in the great long running scheme of things is exactly what they are!"

"But We Have No Wings! NO - We have Dreams then!"

"BUT IF WE EVER LOSE THEM!!! Then what JIM!!!"

"'Cause when we dream... We fly. WE REALLY FLY. We fly high, yeah! or don't we? YOU KNOW... YOU of all people should know what it's like! YOU COULD TELL ME..."

"(The above derives from a mid morning conversation that took place with a stranger in the lobby coffee shop of some neglected Seattle hotel. The chat lasted no more than 23 minutes - at one point this person spoke continually for twenty one minutes (there was a clock on the wall.) OBVIOUSLY I didn't say much - preferring to write some words on a serviette.)"

"BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY TO ME!!!" was the only thought I had on leaving."

"She made me think."

Jim
e-mail
11th March 1998


This song was one of the first finished during the recordings, being almost complete (except for a few nips-and-tucks) during the Olympic sessions in March 1997.

It was one of the first songs from Neapolis due to its inclusion on the soundtrack for Sawdust Tales. A fantasy film about a circus at the end of the world, the film was shot in 1997, with the producers negotiating a distribution deal by the end of the year. "The people involved were trying to do something rather charming," said Jim. "It was nice to be involved because it wasn't just the obvious blockbuster film where they just stick your song on at the beginning or end."

The distribution delay meant that Chrysalis' plan for the unveiling of the album took precedence and fans quickly forgot about the film as the singles and album rolled out.

Even though it had been considered for Sawdust Tales, and was potentially the first track from the album to publically appear, If I Had Wings was relegated to album filler and disappeared into obscurity.



lyrics
Open inside something about this pain.
There's something about this sweet refrain.
Reminds me that you're not there.
And if I could care there's something about this curse.
Like a needle inside a silken purse.
Reminds me of all that you'd bring.

If I had wings.
I'm still standing.
Blue mountain high.
Only the fables get to fly.
Without these words there's no reason why.
It reminds me of all that you bring.

If I had wings.
Would like to teach myself.
If I had wings.
Would learn to stir myself.
If I had wings.
Strapped inside won't be denied.

Nightmare brings.
All that you said.
And if I could fly.
Long time saviour.
That's the sinner's crime.
Well without such trust,
I know that I can never find.
Never find - never find - never find.

If I had wings.
If I had wings.

I'm still standing.

Never find - never find - never find.

Open inside something about this pain.
There's something about this sweet refrain.
Reminds me that you're not there.
And if I could care there's something about this curse.
Like a needle inside a silken purse.
Reminds me of all that you'd bring.

If I had wings.
If I had wings.
If I had wings.
If I had wings.



discography
Album Version (4:42)
Produced by: Charlie Burchill and Pete Walsh
Engineeed by: Pete Walsh

Neapolis Card Promo CD Neapolis Square Tin Promo CD Neapolis Round Tin Promo Box Set Neapolis MC Neapolis CD Neapolis Limited Edition eCD Neapolis Japanese Promo CD Neapolis Japanese Promo CD Neapolis Canadian Promo CD Neapolis Remaster Promo CD Neapolis Remaster Limited Edition CD Neapolis Remaster CD Neapolis LP