It is a rock ballad, featuring Deacon on bass and acoustic guitar, Freddie Mercury on piano and vocals, Brian May on lead guitar and Roger Taylor on drums.
The song is in 4/4 meter, and starts with a simple piano motif in D. It is written in D Major, then modulating up to D's relative minor, B minor in the bridge, coming down to D in the chorus.
The lyrics of the song describe a troubled young man named Sammy who works sweeping the floor at Emerald Bar. The narrator (singer) of the song encourages Sammy to pursue his dreams, telling him to "spread your wings and fly away".
Spread Your Wings
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just watching the show
Over and over again
Knew it was time
He'd made up his mind
To leave his dead life behind
His boss said to him
Boy you'd better begin
Sammy who do you think that you are
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald bar
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Pull yourself together
'Cause you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Keeping his thoughts to himself he'd be leaving soon
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Nothing in this world nothing would make him stay
Since he was small
Had no luck at all
Nothing came easy to him
Now it was time
He'd made up his mind
This could be my last chance
His boss said to him now listen boy
You're always dreaming
You've got no real ambition you won't get very far
Sammy boy don't you know who you are
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald bar
So honey
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Pull yourself together
'Cause you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
Come on honey
The lyrics to Queen’s “Spread Your Wings” tell the story of Sammy, a man who is discontent with his life and wants to break free from his current situation. He feels trapped and unsatisfied with his current job, working at the Emerald bar, where he is constantly belittled by his boss who tells him he has no ambition and should be sweeping up the bar. Sammy dreams of leaving everything behind, embarking on a new adventure, and living a free life. He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room thinking about his future, wishing he was miles away from his current reality.
The chorus of the song encourages Sammy to take action, to spread his wings and fly far away, leaving his old life behind. The lyrics emphasize the importance of taking control of one’s own life and pursuing one’s dreams. It is a call to action for listeners to take a leap of faith and to be bold in the pursuit of their goals.
The song’s message of freedom, self-discovery, and embracing change has resonated with audiences for decades, creating a universal emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Sammy was low
Sammy was feeling down and unhappy
Just watching the show
He was merely observing his own life, without making any changes
Over and over again
This was a recurring pattern for him
Knew it was time
He realized that it was time for a change
He'd made up his mind
He had decided to do something about his situation
To leave his dead life behind
He wanted to leave behind his stagnant and unfulfilled life
His boss said to him
His boss advised him
Boy you'd better begin
You need to start taking action
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Stop having unrealistic or impractical ideas
Sammy who do you think that you are
Who do you believe yourself to be?
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald bar
You should be satisfied with your current position, without aspirations for something more
Spread your wings and fly away
Take a chance and explore new opportunities
Fly away far away
Travel far from your current life
Pull yourself together
Get yourself organized and focused
'Cause you know you should do better
You have the potential to achieve more
That's because you're a free man
You have the freedom to make your own choices
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
He spends his time isolated and introspective
Keeping his thoughts to himself he'd be leaving soon
He was planning to leave, but hadn't shared his thoughts with anyone
Wishing he was miles and miles away
He yearned to be far from his current life and surroundings
Nothing in this world nothing would make him stay
He was resolved to leave, and nothing could make him change his mind
Since he was small
This was a long-standing issue for him
Had no luck at all
He had faced many struggles and setbacks
Nothing came easy to him
He had to work hard for everything he had
This could be my last chance
He saw this as a potentially life-changing opportunity
His boss said to him now listen boy
His boss wanted to impart some wisdom to him
You're always dreaming
You have unrealistic hopes and aspirations
You've got no real ambition you won't get very far
Without clear goals and motivation, you won't achieve much
Sammy boy don't you know who you are
You need to have a clear sense of your own identity
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald bar
You should be content with your lot, rather than wanting more
So honey
An affectionate way of addressing someone
Come on honey
Encouragement to take action and make a change
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Deacon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MarcysBulsara
LYRICS:💥
Sammy was low
Just watching the show
Over and over again
Knew it was time
He'd made up his mind
To leave his dead life behind
His boss said to him
Boy, you'd better begin
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Sammy, who do you think that you are?
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald bar
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
'Cos you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Keeping his thoughts to himself he'd be leaving soon
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Nothing in this world, nothing, would make him stay
Since he was small
Had no luck at all
Nothing came easy to him
Now it was time
He'd made up his mind
This could be my last chance
His boss said to him
Now listen, boy
You're always dreaming
You've got no real ambition
You won't get very far
Sammy, boy, don't you know who you are?
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald bar?
So, honey
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
'Cos you know you should do better
That's, because you're a free man
Come on, honey
❤🖤💥
@bolly999
LYRICS:
Sammy was low
Just watching the show
Over and over again
Knew it was time
He'd made up his mind
To leave his dead life behind
His boss said to him
Boy, you'd better begin
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Sammy, who do you think that you are?
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald bar
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
'Cos you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Keeping his thoughts to himself he'd be leaving soon
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Nothing in this world, nothing, would make him stay
Since he was small
Had no luck at all
Nothing came easy to him
Now it was time
He'd made up his mind
This could be my last chance
His boss said to him
Now listen, boy
You're always dreaming
You've got no real ambition
You won't get very far
Sammy, boy, don't you know who you are?
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald bar?
So, honey
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
'Cos you know you should do better
That's, because you're a free man
Come on, honey
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
@EmperadorCowboy
John Freakin Deacon. The bastard never wrote a bad song. Such a talented writer
@rradiosilencee
My fave member never dissapoints 😔
@martijnstuart95
Have you heard Cool Cat of Hot Space?
@shayanm.t2333
That's what I say all the time.
@RT-gb1dp
@@martijnstuart95 man u serious? u deaf or somthin?
@ibr6193
@@martijnstuart95 that song is AMAZING. Cowritten by Freddie
@juliabeatlemaniac
My opinion, but I think this was one of Freddie's most beautiful vocals, and John's most beautiful song.
@kilimanjaro3517
Agreed. When I feel the urge to listen to Freddie this is the go to song for me. His vocals are incredibly powerful. John Deacon was a great songwriter. When I feel lonely and down I crave this song.
@johnsketcher1106
That's not an opinion
@johnsketcher1106
Freddie has the most Beautiful voice