An earlier 1973 version of the song features a more bluesy and less funk-inspired rhythm, and guitar taking the synthesizer parts (albeit with similar delay effects). The lyrics are slightly different, indicating that the place the eagle wants to fly away from is a Native American reservation.
The main guitar hook in the song was first used in a slightly different form on Miller's 1969 track "My Dark Hour" (which featured Paul McCartney).
Fly Like an Eagle
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tick tock tick, do, do, do-do
Tick tock tick, do, do, do-do
Tick tock tick, do, do, do-do
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
I wanna fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
'Til I'm free
Oh, Lord, through the revolution
Feed the babies
Who don't have enough to eat
Shoe the children
With no shoes on their feet
House the people
Livin' in the street
Oh-oh, there's a solution
I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
'Til I'm free
Right through the revolution
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Do do, do-do, do do, do-do, do do, do-do
Do do, do-do, do do, do-do, do do, do-do
Do do, do-do, do do, do-do
I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
'Til I'm free
Right through the revolution
Tick tock tick, do, do, do-do
Tick tock tick
Tick tock tick, do, do, do-do
Tick tock tick, do, do, do-do
Tick tock tick, do, do, do-do
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
The song "Fly Like an Eagle" by Steve Miller Band is a commentary on the state of the world at the time it was written. The opening lyrics, "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' into the future" suggest the passing of time and how quickly it goes by. The chorus of the song, "I wanna fly like an eagle, to the sea, fly like an eagle, let my spirit carry me" is a metaphor for escaping the realities of the world and finding a sense of freedom.
The second verse goes deeper into the issues facing the world at the time, with lyrics like "Feed the babies who don't have enough to eat, shoe the children with no shoes on their feet, house the people living in the street." These words call for a solution to poverty and homelessness, highlighting a need for change.
The final chorus of the song, "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' into the future, I want to fly like an eagle, 'til I'm free, fly through the revolution" suggests that the only way to achieve this freedom is through revolution, advocating for change that will allow people to fly free like an eagle.
Overall, "Fly Like an Eagle" is a powerful song that speaks to the issues facing society at the time it was written, and can be interpreted as a call to action to create a better world for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time is constantly passing and moving forward, without any ability to slow down or go back in time.
I wanna fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
'Till I'm free
Oh, Lord, through the revolution
The singer wants to soar like an eagle, experiencing a sense of freedom that comes from flying above the worries of daily life. They hope to achieve this kind of freedom even during times of social unrest and revolution.
Feed the babies
Who don't have enough to eat
Shoe the children
With no shoes on their feet
House the people
Livin' in the street
Oh, oh, there's a solution
The lyrics describe the problems of poverty and homelessness that exist in society, and suggest that these issues can be addressed through compassionate actions like feeding and clothing those in need. The singer implies that there are solutions to these problems, and we should work towards realizing them.
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Similar to the opening lines, this line emphasizes the unstoppable nature of time, reminding us that we must make the most of our days and focus on creating a better future.
I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
'Till I'm free
Fly through the revolution
The singer reiterates their desire to experience a sense of freedom and escape through soaring like an eagle. They want to be able to rise above the chaos and revolutionary changes happening around them.
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the idea that time continues to move forward without ceasing. This line also serves as a reminder to live in the present, and not waste time worrying about the past or future.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Steven Haworth Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roncarter2188
This song is so relevant even more today. The Steve Miller Band is a musical force that deserves much praise for all their great work and it still continues.
@STV-H4H
The reaction of the girls in the crowd shows that this song was well on its way to becoming a major success.
Trimming the excess and some tightening of some other parts made this song into an anthem for the decade and well beyond.
Such a great performance of an untested song with great results. ❤
@radar0412
If Steve Miller said he was going to play Fly Like an Eagle today, the crowd would go Crazy. Those people hardly reacted because they hadn't heard the song yet. What a Treat.
@koreyy47
None of them knew they’d hear this song for the rest of their life on any rock radio station. What a bunch of lucky mfs
@apelikemenace
They was higher than giraffe balls
@ryandlion6961
They also heard it differently than any other f**** version
@vanessabechtle6393
Decent music
@ericengbloom3857
It's so bad ass it came out right when I was in high school our mascot was an eagle s
And we had a great foot ball team, I had told the. Dean and varsity foot ball coach that my year would be the first to win a state championship when I was in seventh grade, my brother played got the team at that time and he had told me certain class mates had brothers my age, and the different neighbor hood teams I heard some were going to same school.We were going to have a big and talented team!
Abd WE DID OUR SENIOR YEAR!
@jacknick429
Saw this live on tv in 1974 - stoned out of my mind to the point of hallucinating - best time ever.
@kc72186
Same...🍻