Flying
Living Colour Lyrics


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I jumped out the window,
To get to the parking-lot,
I'm writing this little song,
On my way down,
Never in my life,
Have I felt a heat so hot,
I had to get out.
Such a lovely day to go flying
The sky's so clear the sun is shining
Fate has given me wings,
Such a terrible funny thing.

I was gathering my nerve to ask out carmen,
She glanced out the window,
Oh my god,
Her room it went away,
Just not the way I planned.

Such a lovely day to go flying
The sky's so clear the sun is shining
Fate has given me wings,
Such a terrible funny thing,
Funny thing

I jumped out the window,
To get to the parking-lot,
I'm writing this little song,
On my way down.

Such a lovely day to go flying
The sky's so clear the sun is shining
Fate has given me wings,
Such a terrible funny thing,
Funny thing
Such a funny thing
Funny thing




Funny thing
Such a terrible funny thing

Overall Meaning

The song Flying by Living Colour is an interesting exploration of the feeling of extreme emotions, and the ways in which people try to escape them. The lyrics start out with the singer jumping out of a window, ostensibly to get to the parking lot. Along the way down, they write a little song – which we can only assume is the one we’re hearing – about the heat they felt and the need to get out. These opening lines suggest a kind of desperation to escape whatever situation they’re in, whether it’s emotional or physical.


As the song progresses, the mood lightens somewhat as the singer reflects on how beautiful the day is for flying. They speak of Fate giving them wings, which could be interpreted as a nod to the idea of fate or destiny, and how sometimes we just have to go with the flow. However, the chorus repeats the line “such a terrible funny thing” which could indicate that despite the beautiful day, the singer still feels some underlying anxiety or uncertainty.


The second verse introduces Carmen, who the singer was gathering their nerve to ask out. However, something – we can only assume an unexpected circumstance – causes her room to go away “just not the way I planned”. Again, we see the idea of things not going the way we expect, or perhaps even the act of fate intervening. The song ends with a repetition of the opening verse, reinforcing the idea that the singer is once again trying to escape whatever situation they are in.


Overall, Flying is a cleverly written song that touches on themes of escapism, fate, and the unexpected twists and turns of life.


Line by Line Meaning

I jumped out the window,
The singer impulsively jumps out of a window to leave a situation.


To get to the parking-lot,
The singer attempts to leave quickly.


I'm writing this little song,
The singer uses music as a coping mechanism.


On my way down,
The artist is in the process of falling.


Never in my life,
The artist has never experienced something like this.


Have I felt a heat so hot,
The situation is incredibly intense.


I had to get out.
The singer must escape.


Such a lovely day to go flying
Despite the chaos, the day is beautiful.


The sky's so clear the sun is shining
The weather is perfect.


Fate has given me wings,
The artist has taken a risky leap in life.


Such a terrible funny thing.
The consequences of the singer's actions are both tragic and ironic.


I was gathering my nerve to ask out carmen,
The artist was building courage to confess feelings.


She glanced out the window,
Carmen notices the singer's intentions.


Oh my god,
The situation is overwhelming.


Her room it went away,
The situation did not go as the singer planned.


Just not the way I planned.
The artist's actions did not have the expected outcome.


Such a funny thing
The irony of the situation.


Such a terrible funny thing
The tragedy and irony of the situation.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROD STEWART, RON WOOD, RONALD LANE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Dias jl Dias

Massa demais essa música....não sabia que o Living Colour tinha tanta música boa assim! Virei fã!!!!

i94yeh2p

Such a great song! I started humming this the other day, I couldn't find the CD but luckily here it is. Great band. This album in general was a nice gem.

Lloyd Hartley

How did I miss this song? Heard that album was terrible so I didn't buy it. Huge Living Colour fan. This came up on Spotify today and I've been amazed. The vocals and guitar work are incredible. I'm humbled

Gerardo Vivanco

And that is why I NEVER let anyone else tell me what TO listen to, or NOT to listen to...................
I decide that on my own.
This is a hauntingly, beautiful song 🎵

Edu Petruk

Such a lovely day to go flying. The sky's so clear, the sun is shining. Fate has given me wings. Such a terrible funny thing. Funny thing♫♫ AMAZING!!!

TheFles

Few songs convey such pathos that they can bring me to the verge of tears. This gets me every single time.

supli

BEST BAND I'VE ALREADY PLAYED TO LIVE, WHEN THEY COME TO SÃO PAULO BRASIL, I WONDERED, WHEN I'M DREAMING JAZZI WITH ROCK ROLL WONDERFUL BAND

Donalda Goncalves

This song is at once beautiful and horrifying.

Ed Smart

Such a powerful song! Gives a new tragic perspective on one of the worst days in us history. Knew about the second time I heard it. That it had a haunting vibe i couldn't shake. By the 3rd time.. I said omg it's about 911 . Truly great but sad song

live laugh love 😻

Its about 9/11

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