“Broken Wings” – Single by Mr. Mister from the album Welcome to the Real World
B-side; “Uniform of Youth”
Released: June 6, 1985
Recorded: November 1984
Label: RCA
Songwriters: Richard Page, Steve George, John Lang
Producers: Mr. Mister, Paul De Villiers
Charted No.1 in US and No.4 in UK
This was the first single from Mr. Mister’s second album. Their record company, RCA, wanted to release an uptempo song first, but the band fought them on it and won out. Released ahead of the album, the song went to #1 US in December 1985, marking a breakthrough for the band, whose biggest hit from their first album was “Hunters of the Night,” which peaked at #57.
The ballad was co-written with lyricist John Lang, who was inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s novel Broken Wings. The song is a mix of synth, digitally delayed guitar, bass and drums. The song’s hissing intro was an effect created by the sound of a crash cymbal played in reverse.
Recorded 12/14/1985 – Ritz (New York, NY)
Copyright Bill Graham Archives
Original video
