This 1991 No. 1 hit is proof that some of the best songs stem from basic chords. Written by Petty and Traveling Wilburys colleague and former ELO member Jeff Lynne, the song was initially inspired by a televised pilot interview, yet the lyrics unravel meanings of discovery, new experiences and the acceptance of failure.
Despite being Dave Grohl and company's first Billboard 100 single, we can agree that the song's Grammy-winning music video parodying 'Airplane!' is nothing short of brilliant, as video director Jesse Peretz (The Lemonheads) packs in drug smuggling, Tenacious D and cross-dressing into almost five minutes of hilarious of flying.
The song is said to be about drummer and lyricist Neil Peart's first trip away from his Canadian home to England. The music for this head-swaying track was written by lead vocalist Geddy Lee, while Peart penned the lyrics. It later became the Canadian Rock Band's first US charting-single when it was included in their 1976 double live album 'All the World's a Stage.'
Steve Miller Band's cool, atmospheric 'Fly Like an Eagle' is just one slice of the spacey keyboard-heavy blues album of the same name, released in 1976. The track earned the group their third Top 10 single, following 'The Joker' and 'Rock'n Me,' and in 1996, got the R&B treatment by soft rock veteran Seal.
No list about flying songs would be complete without a Hendrix tune. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is considered by Rolling Stone to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time -- not bad for starting out with a $5 acoustic guitar. The track is celebrated by many of Jimi's fans as the song that got them hooked on Hendrix.
Released in January of 1998, 'Given to Fly' was a stand-out single from Pearl Jam's fifth studio album, 'Yield.' The song peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Statistically, this song couldn't be any more list-worthy.
A true Beatles fan might own this song on vinyl, but those born after the advent of CDs may be more familiar with the Secret Machines cover of this song from the 2007 film 'Across the Universe.' The original instrumental was released in 1967 on the 'Magical Mystery Tour' album, and was the first composition to be credited as being written by all four members of the band.
Flying has a different meaning for everyone, but in this case, psychedelic references are abound. It has been rumored that the Black Sabbath frontman's 1981 hit is about his drug addiction and wife Sharon Osbourne's concern for him, however, the song was actually penned by Ozzy's lyricist Bob Daisley.