Flying Without Wings Facts for Kids

"Flying Without Wings" is a very popular song by the Irish boy band Westlife. It was released on October 18, 1999. This song was the third single from their first album, which was also called Westlife. It is one of Westlife's most streamed songs. It is also one of their best-selling songs ever in the United Kingdom.

How the Song Was Made
How Well the Song Sold
Different Versions of the Song
Other Uses of the Song
Ruben Studdard's Version
- Ruben Studdard's Track List
Images for kids
See also

How the Song Was Made

The song "Flying Without Wings" was written by Wayne Hector and Steve Mac. Wayne Hector got the first ideas for the song while he was in Los Angeles. He quickly called home to save his ideas on an answering machine! When he returned to England, he worked with Steve Mac to finish the song. They decided the song was about the things that make their lives complete. Wayne Hector said the lyrics were finished in about 30 minutes. He felt very proud of this song. He said it helped people see that he could write great pop songs.

The band's manager, Louis Walsh, later shared a secret. The song was first meant for Boyzone singer Stephen Gately to release as his own song. Stephen even recorded a demo version. But when Simon Cowell heard it, he loved it for Westlife. It was a bit tricky because Westlife was touring as Boyzone's opening act at the time.

In a TV show called Westlife Back Home, band member Shane Filan said "Flying Without Wings" is probably the best song Westlife has ever made. Bertie Ahern, who used to be the leader of Ireland, also said it was his favorite Westlife song. The song also won Westlife their first "Record of the Year" award. They won this award on December 11, 1999, beating Ronan Keating's song.

The Official Charts Company said that "Flying Without Wings" was very important for boy bands. It set a trend for boy bands to stand up during the key change in their ballads. This song has been played at many special life events. These include births, marriage proposals, weddings, and even funerals. It has also been used in many TV talent shows.

How Well the Song Sold

"Flying Without Wings" became Westlife's third song to reach number one in the UK. It stayed on the music charts for 13 weeks. It is also one of Westlife's biggest selling songs. The song was the first Westlife single to get a Gold award in the UK. This means it sold over 400,000 copies. By October 2019, the Official Charts Company reported its sales. It had 316,000 physical sales, 171,000 downloads, and 16 million streams in the UK.

Different Versions of the Song

Original Track List

United Kingdom

"Flying Without Wings" - 3:35
"Everybody Knows" - 3:45
"Flying Without Wings" (Video) - 3:40

"Flying Without Wings" - 3:35
"That's What It's All About" - 3:20
"Flying Without Wings" (Acappella) - 3:29

Australia

"Flying Without Wings" - 3:35
"I Have a Dream" (Remix) - 4:06
"Seasons in the Sun" (Single Remix) - 4:10
"Flying Without Wings" (Video) - 3:40

Duets with Other Singers

"Flying Without Wings"

Promotional single by Westlife featuring BoA
from the album Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Volume 1 (Asian edition), Shine We Are! and Next World
Released	2003 (2003) (Asia)
Recorded	2002
Genre	Pop
Length	3:36
Label	BMG S.M. Entertainment
Songwriter(s)	Wayne Hector Steve Mac
Producer(s)	Lee Soo Man Steve Mac

"Flying Without Wings"

Promotional single by Westlife featuring Cristian Castro
from the album Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Volume 1 (Spanish/Mexican edition)
Released	2002 (2002) (Mexico)
Genre	Pop
Length	3:36
Songwriter(s)	Wayne Hector Steve Mac

In 2002, Westlife re-recorded "Flying Without Wings" as a duet with other singers. They did this to help promote their album, Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Volume 1. One version was with Mexican singer Cristian Castro. Another was with South Korean pop singer, BoA. Each duet was put on different versions of the album for different regions. Both duets were also released as singles in those areas.

Duet Track Lists

Mexico

"Flying Without Wings" (Duet with Cristian Castro) - 3:35
"Never Knew I Was Losing You" - 4:09

Asia

"Flying Without Wings" (Duet with BoA) - 3:35
"Never Knew I Was Losing You" - 4:09

Live Version

In 2004, Westlife released a live version of "Flying Without Wings". This version was recorded during their Turnaround Tour in Stockholm, Sweden. This live song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. It was also the first song ever to be number one on the UK downloads chart.

Live Version Track List

"Flying Without Wings" (Live)

Other Uses of the Song

The Westlife song was featured in the 2000 Warner Bros. Pictures film Pokémon: The Movie 2000. It was the last song played during the movie's credits. It also appeared on the official movie soundtrack. The song was also in the 2000 Australian film The Magic Pudding. It was also in the 2000 French film Archibald the Koala: The Movie. The song was also used in the Korean TV drama I'm Sorry, I Love You and its soundtrack.

On May 12, 2018, the song was performed on a Korean music show called 'Immortal Songs 2'. Singer Ali sang it and came in second place. Westlife's own Shane Filan was a special guest on the show and helped judge the performers.

Ruben Studdard's Version

"Flying Without Wings"

Single by Ruben Studdard

Released

10 June 2003

Recorded

2003

Genre

Label

Songwriter(s)

Wayne Hector
Steve Mac

Producer(s)

The Underdogs
Face

Ruben Studdard singles chronology

"Flying Without Wings"
(2003)

"Superstar"
(2003)

"Flying Without Wings" was also sung by Ruben Studdard. He was the winner of the TV show American Idol. He released his version as his first single on June 10, 2003. His song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was just behind "This Is the Night" by Clay Aiken. Ruben Studdard's version also did well on other charts. It reached number 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. It also reached number 27 on the adult contemporary chart. In New Zealand, it also reached number two. By December 2006, his single had sold 751,000 copies. This version of the song is also in the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol.