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Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz song)

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File:Lenny Fly Away.jpg
Standard non-US artwork
Single by Lenny Kravitz
from the album Script error: No such module "If empty".
B-side "Believe" (live acoustic)
Released November 9, 1998 (1998-11-09)[1]
Genre * Funk rock[2]
Length Script error: No such module "hms".
Label Virgin
Songwriter(s) Lenny Kravitz
Producer(s) Lenny Kravitz
Script error: No such module "String2". singles chronology
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|- style="line-height: 1.4em;" | style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding: .2em .1em .2em 0;" | "I Belong to You"
(1998) | style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding:.2em .1em;" | "Script error: No such module "If empty"."
(1998) | style="width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding: .2em 0 .2em .1em;" | "American Woman"
(1999)

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"Fly Away" is a song by American singer Lenny Kravitz. It was released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, 5 (1998). Released on November 9, 1998, "Fly Away" peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Fly Away" topped the charts in Iceland and the United Kingdom and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Performance in 1999.

Background[]

"Fly Away" emerged from Kravitz testing an amp that was brought to the studio. After plugging in the available guitar, Kravitz started playing the song, stating, "I was listening to the way different chords were ringing, just moving between A, C, G and D, and the next thing I knew I was telling the engineer to hook up the mics and record."[5]

By the time he wrote "Fly Away", Kravitz had already turned in the completed album to Virgin Records, and he considered releasing the song as a b-side. However, after playing the song for a friend, they responded, "If you don’t put it on the album, I’m gonna be so pissed off at you." After Kravitz contacted his label about the inclusion of the song, they were reluctant, but he sent them the song anyway. Upon hearing the track, they added it to the album.[6]

Critical reception[]

Birmingham Evening Mail commented, "If you watch TV you'll already be familiar with this - it's the song from the Peugeot TV ad which seems to have rarely been off the screen during the past few weeks. It's about time Kravitz returned to the big time - remember when he sold out the NEC in `91? - and this could see him back in the chart big time."[7]

Chart performance[]

"Fly Away" reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped both the Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock Tracks charts.[8][9][10] On Canada's RPM Top Singles chart, "Fly Away" reached number three and stayed in the top 20 for six weeks.[11] Outside North America, the song reached number one in Iceland and on the UK Singles Chart;[12][13] its success in the UK is attributed to its appearance in a television advertisement for the Peugeot 206 Supermini car.[14] In Australia and New Zealand, "Fly Away" peaked at number eight and was certified Gold in both countries.[1][15][16][17] The song helped to expand the success of his fifth studio album, 5, in Europe and earned Kravitz a Grammy Award in 1999 for Best Male Rock Performance, his first of four consecutive wins in this category.[18]

Music video[]

The music video for the single was directed by American director Paul Hunter. It features Kravitz and his band playing in a club, surrounded by a crowd dancing to the song, with some of them having fun and others making out. Special effects were added to the video to make it look beat up and grainy. A girl in the crowd is briefly shown topless several times during the video. The video is featured on the DVD for Kravitz's Greatest Hits album tour edition.

Kravitz also appears in a 2010 video in which he joined the Voice of Praise Choir from the First Baptist Church of Lewisville, Texas, as they performed "Fly Away" on a street in New Orleans.[19]

Track listings[]

International CD and cassette single[20][21][22]

  1. "Fly Away" – 3:41
  2. "Fly Away" (live acoustic) – 4:03
  3. "Believe" (live acoustic) – 5:14

European CD single[23]

  1. "Fly Away"
  2. "Believe" (live acoustic)

French CD single[24]

  1. "Fly Away" – 3:41
  2. "Fly Away" (live acoustic) – 4:03

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Chart (1998–1999) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[1] 8
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[25] 11
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[26] 11
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[11] 3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[27] 5
France (SNEP)[28] 56
Germany (Official German Charts)[29] 15
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[12] 1
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[31] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 49
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 8
Scotland (OCC)[33] 3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[34] 22
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 19
UK Singles (OCC)[13] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 12
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[36] 17
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[37] 8
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[10] 1
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[9] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[38] 7
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[39] 61

Year-end charts[]

Chart (1999) Position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 52
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[41] 79
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[42] 66
Germany (Official German Charts)[43] 61
UK Singles (OCC)[44] 50
UK Airplay (Music Week)[45] 34
US Billboard Hot 100[46] 29
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 19
US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)[48] 5
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[48] 11

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[16] Gold 35,000 
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49] Platinum 60,000 
New Zealand (RMNZ)[17] Gold 0 
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Platinum 556,000[50]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States May 11, 1998 Active rock radio Virgin [52]
October 20, 1998 Contemporary hit radio [53]
November 9, 1998 CD [1]
United Kingdom February 8, 1999 Script error: No such module "list". [54]

In popular culture[]

Internet personality Neil Cicierega made a lyric video of the song with the vocal tracks heavily altered,[55] which received coverage from several websites.[56][57][58] The song has also been used in a tourism campaign for The Bahamas, featuring Kravitz who is of Bahamian descent.[59]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Script error: No such module "WLink".&titel=Script error: No such module "WLink".&cat=s Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  2. ↑ Tannenbaum, Rob (September 23, 2020). "How Lenny Kravitz Keeps His Cool". https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/arts/music/lenny-kravitz-let-love-rule.html. Retrieved July 5, 2021. "He’s sold more than 40 million records worldwide, and despite playing throwback music, has released four Top 40 hits, including the gorgeous Philly soul tribute “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over” and the funk-rock stomper “Fly Away.”" 
  3. ↑ "The 88 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1998". October 25, 2018. https://www.spin.com/featured/best-alternative-rock-songs-1998/3/. Retrieved July 5, 2021. 
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Aledort, Albert (September 22, 2008). "Lenny Kravitz: Revolution of the Mind". https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/lenny-kravitz-revolution-mind. 
  6. ↑ Grow, Kory (October 9, 2018). "Lenny Kravitz: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lenny-kravitz-my-life-in-15-songs-733842/. Retrieved July 12, 2019. 
  7. ↑ "Single of the Week". Birmingham Evening Mail. February 9, 1999. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Script error: No such module "WLink"./chart-history/HSI "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Script error: No such module "WLink"./chart-history/RTT "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Script error: No such module "WLink"./chart-history/MRT "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6987." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 315 Vikuna 26.3. – 2.4. 1999)" (in is). Dagblaðið Vísir: p. 10. March 26, 1999. https://timarit.is/page/2982431#page/n9/mode/2up. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  14. ↑ Masterton, James (February 14, 1999). "Week Ending February 20th 1999". Chart Watch UK. https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1999/week-ending-february-20th-1999. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Script error: No such module "WLink".&titel=Script error: No such module "WLink".&cat=s Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k9o2q7p7o4awhqx/AAATLmfMH7Iov9d0mORy7iY0a/1999%20Accreds.pdf. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "New Zealand single certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away". Recorded Music NZ. https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=1021. 
  18. ↑ "Grammy Awards Winners & Nominees for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance". Grammy Awards. https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/211. 
  19. ↑ Lenny Kravitz crashes the VOP Choir in New Orleans for "Fly Away" YouTube.com. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ "Script error: No such module "WLink".&titel=Script error: No such module "WLink".&cat=s Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Script error: No such module "WLink".&titel=Script error: No such module "WLink".&cat=s Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100". Music & Media 16 (9): 16. February 27, 1999. https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-02-27.pdf. Retrieved January 26, 2020. 
  28. ↑ "Script error: No such module "WLink".&titel=Script error: No such module "WLink".&cat=s Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  30. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Fly Away". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 5, 1999". Dutch Top 40. https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/1999/week-5. 
  32. ↑ "Script error: No such module "WLink".&titel=Script error: No such module "WLink".&cat=s Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Script error: No such module "WLink".&titel=Script error: No such module "WLink".&cat=s Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Script error: No such module "WLink".&titel=Script error: No such module "WLink".&cat=s Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "WLink"./chart-history/AAA "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "WLink"./chart-history/ATF "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "WLink"./chart-history/TFM "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  39. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  40. ↑ "1999 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/1999/singles-chart. 
  41. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9952&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9952.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9952. Retrieved June 3, 2019. 
  42. ↑ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999". Music & Media 17 (1): 11. January 1, 2000. https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-01-01.pdf. Retrieved February 7, 2020. 
  43. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1999" (in de). GfK Entertainment. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1999. 
  44. ↑ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week (London, England): 27. January 22, 2000. 
  45. ↑ "Most Broadcast of 1999: Airplay Top 50". January 22, 2000. p. 31. https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-01-22.pdf#page=53. 
  46. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1999. 
  47. ↑ "1999 – The Year in Music". Billboard 111 (52): YE-100. December 25, 1999. https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-12-25.pdf. Retrieved April 2, 2020. 
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 "1999 – The Year in Music". Billboard 111 (52): YE-90. December 25, 1999. https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-12-25.pdf. Retrieved April 2, 2020. 
  49. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. https://pro-musicabr.org.br/home/certificados/. 
  50. ↑ Copsey, Rob (February 18, 2021). "Official Chart Flashback 1999: Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away". Official Charts Company. https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-chart-flashback-1999-lenny-kravitz-fly-away__32476/. 
  51. ↑ "British single certifications – Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away". British Phonographic Industry. https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/2319-1647-1. 
  52. ↑ "Adds for May 11/12". Gavin Report (2205): 45. May 8, 1998. 
  53. ↑ "New Releases". Radio & Records (1270): 76. October 16, 1998. 
  54. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week: 23. February 6, 1999. https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1999/Music-Week-1999-02-06.pdf. Retrieved July 16, 2021. 
  55. ↑ "Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away (lyrics)". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t-iFr9q1I8. 
  56. ↑ "Neil Cicierega's Lenny Kravitz cover has successfully gamed Google's algorithms" (in en-us). July 2017. https://news.avclub.com/neil-cicierega-s-lenny-kravitz-cover-has-successfully-g-1798263656. 
  57. ↑ Pearl, Mike (November 19, 2014). "Why Can't I Stop Laughing at This Lenny Kravitz Parody Video?" (in en). https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/8gd7ek/why-cant-i-stop-laughing-at-this-lenny-kravitz-parody-video-864. 
  58. ↑ Dessem, Matthew (July 2, 2017). "Googling "Lenny Kravitz Fly Away Lyrics" Yields Something Better Than the Lyrics to "Fly Away"". https://slate.com/culture/2017/07/the-top-google-result-for-lenny-kravitz-fly-away-lyrics-is-amazing.html. 
  59. ↑ The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (February 8, 2019). "New Marketing Campaign Featuring Lenny Kravitz Invites Travelers to Fly Away to The Bahamas". https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-marketing-campaign-featuring-lenny-kravitz-invites-travelers-to-fly-away-to-the-bahamas-300792003.html. 
v · d · e
Lenny Kravitz singles
Let Love Rule
Mama Said
Are You Gonna Go My Way
Circus
5
  • "If You Can't Say No" (1998)
  • "I Belong to You" (1998)
  • "Fly Away" (1998)
  • "American Woman" (1999)
  • "Black Velveteen" (1999)
    • Greatest Hits
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    • Lenny
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    • Baptism
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