The sound of the band is loose and rangy in the best tradition of white Southern R&B (a la the best of John Fred and His Playboy Band) and Winter's singing is fully equal of it: he never stops at mere competence. On a quick listen some of the music could have easily been mistaken for Stax soul. But the difference is in the white gospel roots that both Winter and co-vocalist Jerry laCroix exhibit throughout the record. Up-tempo songs like "Save the Planet" and "Keep Playin' that Rock and Roll" are fine rockers but the guts of the album is in slow, semi-religious "You Were My Light." The latter is the highlight of the album: Winter sings flawlessly, first in front of his superb rhythm section, and then with a beautifully arranged and blended horn section. On the choruses the three elements come together with tremendous impact -- enough to blow me back listen after listen. The lyrics here, as throughout, are almost charming in their openness, directness, and simplicity. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the album is the emergence of Edgar Winter as an excellent songwriter.
At the peak of their frenzy, both Winter and laCroix cross over the gospel line and into pure shrieking and screaming. In the controlled doses they administer here, it is very powerful stuff. Such vocal techniques are easily misused, but like everything else on White Trash, Edgar keeps it under control and makes it work for him. The results are a revealing and exciting album -- hopefully, only the first of many more to come. It's the kind of record that makes you want to see the group perform. What higher praise is there for a new album by a new group?
Fly Away
Edgar Winter's White Trash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got a secret and I've kept it well
You would not believe it, but I swear it's not a lie
I close my eyes and then I start to fly
Fly away fly away
Close my eyes and I can fly away (believe me)
Fly away fly away
I close my eyes and I can fly away
With thoughts of pure and love is all around
I'll take you with me if you really wanna try
Just close your eyes and think that you can fly (come on and)
Fly away fly away
Close your eyes and you can fly away (baby I know you can)
Fly away (if you wanna) fly away
Close your eyes and you can fly away
Fly away (you've got to fly away) fly away (come one now)
Close your eyes (close your eyes) and you can fly away (oh you've got to fly away)
Na na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na na
Na na na (come on now) na na na na na na (oh)
Na na na na na na na na na (oh if you children)
Fly away (oh baby) fly away (you've got to fly away)
Close your eyes and you can fly away
The lyrics of "Fly Away" by Edgar Winter's White Trash express the singer's desire to escape from reality and into a magical world of flying where he can be free from worldly troubles. He starts by telling the listener that he has a secret and has kept it to himself. He then reveals that he can fly away to a magical place just by closing his eyes. The singer assures us that this is not a lie even though it may be hard to believe. He invites the listener to join him on this journey and that all they need to do is close their eyes and believe that they too can fly.
The second verse of the song describes the magical place the singer flies to as one that is filled with pure thoughts and love. He offers to take the listener with him to this place if they want to try. The song then ends with the singer encouraging the listener to come fly away with him by repeating "Na na na na" and "Fly away".
It can be interpreted that the song is about the power of the imagination and the ability to escape from a difficult reality. It could also be a metaphor for drug use and the way it can transport the user to another place.
Line by Line Meaning
If I tell you would you promise not to tell
Can I confide in you without fear of being exposed?
I've got a secret and I've kept it well
I have been concealing my true feelings or experiences.
You would not believe it, but I swear it's not a lie
This is difficult to accept, but it is the truth.
I close my eyes and then I start to fly
I am transported to a different, more positive reality and feel great freedom.
Fly away fly away
Escape or transcend limitations and restrictions.
Close my eyes and I can fly away (believe me)
With the power of imagination, I can mentally transport myself to a different reality where I am free to soar.
There's a magic that I fly to when I'm down
When I am feeling low, I turn to a special place or state of mind where I am lifted up.
With thoughts of pure and love is all around
In this state of mind, I am surrounded by positive emotions and feelings of goodwill.
I'll take you with me if you really wanna try
If you are willing, I can show you how to reach this state of mind as well.
Just close your eyes and think that you can fly (come on and)
With the power of imagination, you can break free from limitations and experience a sense of soaring and liberation.
Na na na na na na na na na
Vocalizations to communicate emotions or create a sense of anticipation.
Fly away (oh baby) fly away (you've got to fly away)
Transcend limitations and restrictions to reach a state of freedom and liberation.
Close your eyes and you can fly away
Through imagination and visualization, you can mentally escape and soar.
Contributed by Dylan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.