Five Miles Out
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


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What do you do when your falling,
You've got 30 degrees and you're stalling out?
And it's 24 miles to your beacon;
There's a crack in the sky and the warning's out.
Don't take that dive again!
Push through that band of rain!
Five miles out,
Just hold your heading true.
Got to get your finest out.
You're Number 1, anticipating you.
Climbing out.
Just hold your heading true.
Got to get your finest out.
You're Number 1, anticipating you.
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
Calling all stations!
This is Golf-Mike-Oscar-Victor-Juliet
IMC CU.NIMB...icing,
In great difficulty, over.
The traffic controller is calling,
"Victor-Juliet, your identity.
I have you lost in the violent storm!
Communicate or squawk 'Emergency'!"
Don't take that dive again!
Push through that band of rain!
Lost in static, 18,
And the storm is closing in now.
Automatic, 18!
(Got to push through!) Trapped in living hell!
Your a prisoner of the dark sky,
The propeller blades are still!
And the evil eye of the hurricane's
Coming in now for the kill.
Our hope's with you,
Rider in the blue.
Welcome's waiting, we're anticipating
You'll be celebrating, when you're down and braking.
Climbing out.
(Climbing, climbing)
Five miles out.
(Climbing, climbing)
Five miles out,
Just hold your heading true.
Got to get your finest out....
(Climbing, climbing)
Five miles out,
Just hold your heading true.
Got to get your finest out....
(Climbing, climbing)
Climbing out.
Just hold your heading true.
Got to get your finest out....
(Climbing, climbing)
Five miles out,
Just hold your heading true.
Got to get your finest out....
(Climbing, climbing)
Climbing out.
Just hold your heading true.
Got to get your finest out....
(Climbing, climbing)
Climbing out.




Just hold your heading true.
Got to get your finest out....

Overall Meaning

The song "Five Miles Out" by Mike Oldfield is a narrative about an airplane pilot who's in a life and death situation. The song opens with the singer finding himself in a situation where he's losing control of the aircraft and is about to crash. The lyrics convey the panic and desperation of the pilot who must navigate through a crack in the sky in a treacherous storm. The pilot is advised to steer clear of danger and push through the rain to stay on track.


The song takes an exciting turn when the pilot gets in touch with the traffic controller, and his airplane is reported lost during a violent storm. The listener is taken on a journey where the singer is navigating through static and is eventually trapped in a living hell. However, the song is not without hope. The rider in the blue is climbing out of danger, and the welcoming party anticipates his safe landing.


The lyrics are a compelling narrative that uses aviation terms to tell a thrilling story that captures the uncertainty of human existence. The song's climax is a mix of guitar riffs and synthesized sounds that convey the triumph of the riders' success, making it an unforgettable experience.


Line by Line Meaning

What do you do when your falling,
What should one do when they are in a difficult situation?


You've got 30 degrees and you're stalling out?
You are in a critical situation, with only 30 degrees and about to crash.


And it's 24 miles to your beacon;
There is still some distance to cover before reaching the destination.


There's a crack in the sky and the warning's out.
There's trouble ahead, and danger is imminent.


Don't take that dive again!
Do not repeat the same mistake you made before.


Push through that band of rain!
Endure and persevere through the rough weather.


Five miles out,
You are at a safe 5-mile distance from danger.


Just hold your heading true.
Stay focused and don't deviate from your original course.


Got to get your finest out.
You need to give it your all, and perform to the best of your abilities.


You're Number 1, anticipating you.
You are expected to perform to the best of your abilities, and you are capable of it.


Climbing out.
You are ascending and trying to leave the danger zone behind.


Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
An emergency distress signal.


Calling all stations!
Asking for help from all available sources.


This is Golf-Mike-Oscar-Victor-Juliet
The message sender's identification code.


IMC CU.NIMB...icing,
Giving information about the flying conditions that are causing problems.


In great difficulty, over.
Describing how much trouble they are experiencing and seeking immediate help.


The traffic controller is calling,
The person responsible for managing air traffic is trying to make contact.


"Victor-Juliet, your identity.
Asking the receiver to identify themselves.


I have you lost in the violent storm!
The receiver's location is unclear due to the intensity of the storm.


Communicate or squawk 'Emergency'!"
Urgently requesting the receiver to respond and declare an emergency signal.


Lost in static, 18,
The communication signal is weak and unclear, and there is no visibility due to the cloud that's formed around 18,000ft.


And the storm is closing in now.
The storm is becoming even more dangerous and intense.


Automatic, 18!
The spacecraft is navigating itself to 18,000 ft to escape the dangerous storm.


(Got to push through!) Trapped in living hell!
Trying to break through the storm, but you feel like you're stuck in the middle of a hell-like situation.


Your a prisoner of the dark sky,
Feeling trapped by the dark and dangerous environment.


The propeller blades are still!
The equipment is not working as it should be, putting them in even more danger.


And the evil eye of the hurricane's
The most dangerous part of the hurricane, which can cause severe damage.


Coming in now for the kill.
The hurricane is trying to bring the spacecraft down, and destroy everything in its path.


Our hope's with you,
Everyone has faith in the spacecraft to make it out alive.


Rider in the blue.
The spacecraft's rider, who is navigating through the blue sky.


Welcome's waiting, we're anticipating
Everyone is anxiously waiting for the rider's safe landing.


You'll be celebrating, when you're down and braking.
Once the spacecraft lands safely, everyone will celebrate the success.


Climbing out.
The spacecraft is ascending and moving away from danger.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: M OLDFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

MONOLECTRIC

I love Mike Oldfield. He is one of the best musicians in the world.

J D

Sure he is. And one of the TOP guitar players.

Andrew JS

True. It's a shame most people only know him for Tubular Bells.

VJeremYuki211

An absolute masterpiece

Andrew JS

True. One of the best things he's ever done.

Andrew JS

Total genius from Mike — one of the best things he's ever done. Weird and catchy at the same time, which is always the best combination IMO. The only problem is that the first 60 seconds are so good it's impossible for the rest of the song to keep up to the same standard, which it almost does nevertheless.

Peter Green

He was flying a plane one time and it got stuck up in the middle of a really bad storm. Thankfully his skills and a bit of luck got them through it and he wrote this song about it. Happy birthday Mike

Eledhwen Mare

Peter Green
This happened?

Eledhwen Mare

Peter Green
This happened?

Peter Green

@Eledhwen Mare Oh yeah. Totally true.

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