Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Learn How to Love Willingly in “Give Me Wings” By Michael Johnson

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

In 1986, American country pop singer Michael Johnson released another timeless hit, “Give Me Wings,” as part of his album, Wings. 

Right after it was released, “Give Me Wings” immediately climbed up the charts, landing at no. 1 on the “US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)” and no. 3 on the “Canadian RPM Country Tracks.”

The song was such a hit that it ended up becoming Johnson’s third country hit. Over the coming years, “Give Me Wings” has continuously become a staple cover song for big artists like Wim Sengers and The Haley Sisters. 

RELATED: Cherished Melodies: 35 Top Country Love Songs

The charming melody and Johnson’s gentle yet powerful vocals are what drew listeners and artists into listening to it. 

Apart from that, though, the heartfelt meaning of the song’s poignant lyrics is what made it so successful. Now, let’s explore the timeless wisdom found in Michael Johnson’s classic, “Give Me Wings.”

Meaning Behind the Song

Composed by Kye Fleming and Don Schlitz, the song narrates a story of a couple’s personal development and desire for freedom.

Freedom, in the sense that they are able to pursue their passions while preserving their love for one another. It is a song that could be considered a hymn of liberation, as it expresses the want to be freed from the bonds of love that prevent us from reaching our goals.

Sometimes, when a person is in love, they tend to forget that they also have a life to live. That is why the song simply suggests giving your partners the wings they deserve to have. As it will greatly help them become independent and discover their true selves.

Consequently, it will provide you the bravery to accept change and maintain your optimistic view on life when the moment comes that you have both encountered adversities. 

After all, a partner ought to be someone who would unwaveringly encourage and support us as we venture beyond our comfort zones, confront our fears, and follow our aspirations. 

The freedom you have always desired may become yours with the help of this timeless Michael Johnson song, “Give Me Wings.” You can watch his performance below. 

Latest Stories

Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver, who announced her passing, is shown after being dismissed from guarding her properties.

Dolly Parton’s Nephew Who Announced Her Death Was Reportedly Fired From Guarding Her Properties

Three weeks after Bryan Seaver stood in front of a camera to tell the world his aunt had died, he was reportedly told to hand over the keys. Seaver, the ...

The late Dolly Parton on stage in sequins and blonde hair, singing into a microphone. CMA will honor her with a live special on October 21.

The CMA Will Honor Dolly Parton With a Two-Hour Live Special on October 21

Dolly Parton wrote the most famous goodbye song in American music. Now, country music is using it to say goodbye to her. The Country Music Association announced it will honor ...

Reba McEntire appears at the Emmys in Dolly Parton’s butterfly ring and rhinestone earrings as her gown matches Dolly’s first look.

Reba Wore Dolly Parton’s Rhinestone Earrings and Butterfly Ring During Her Emmys Tribute

The first time Reba McEntire ever saw Dolly Parton in person, Dolly was covered in rhinestone butterflies. McEntire has told the story more than once. She was backing up against ...

Sally Field appears emotional during her Emmys tribute speech calling Dolly Parton an angel on earth.

Sally Field Called Dolly Parton an Angel on Earth in Her Emmys Tribute Speech

Sally Field worked with Dolly Parton on one movie in 1989. She spent the next thirty-seven years loving her anyway. Field introduced the Dolly Parton tribute at the 78th Primetime ...

Reba McEntire looks emotional as she sings Appalachian Memories for Dolly Parton at the Emmys.

Reba McEntire Sang “Appalachian Memories” for Dolly at the Emmys and Got Emotional at the End

Forty-three years ago, Dolly Parton stood on the Emmy stage and sang a song she wrote about her daddy and the mountains that raised her. On Monday night, her friend ...

A massive Dolly Parton mural covers a honky-tonk wall in Fort Worth after an artist painted her because his daughter was hurting.

A Massive Dolly Parton Mural Went Up on a Fort Worth Honky-Tonk and People Keep Pulling Over

His daughter took the news hard, so he went and found a wall. Juan Velazquez saw how Dolly Parton’s death hit his daughter and decided he wanted to honor her. ...

Jennifer Nettles sings emotionally as she honors the 9/11 victims with Vince Gill’s Go Rest High on That Mountain.

Jennifer Nettles Honored the 9/11 Victims With Vince Gill’s Go Rest High on That Mountain

Vince Gill wrote that song for his own dead. On Friday, Jennifer Nettles sang it for nearly three thousand of them. Nettles performed “Go Rest High on That Mountain” at ...

Garth Brooks is shown with a circular photo of Dolly Parton after declaring September 25 Dolly Day and giving bar sales to the Imagination Library.

Garth Brooks Declared September 25 ‘Dolly Day’ and Is Giving the Full Day’s Bar Sales to the Imagination Library

Two days after Dolly Parton died, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood picked a date and made a promise. On Thursday, August 27, the couple announced that their Nashville bar, Friends ...

Lainey Wilson stands in a black suit with a choir behind her as she honors the 9/11 victims with Amazing Grace at the 25th anniversary.

Lainey Wilson Honored the 9/11 Victims With “Amazing Grace” in a Black Suit and a Choir Behind Her

She left the bell-bottoms and the cowboy hat at home and walked out in a black suit with a choir behind her, singing a hymn that has carried this country ...

Budweiser Clydesdales bow toward the New York skyline in the 9/11 tribute ad that aired once during the 2002 Super Bowl.

Budweiser’s 9/11 Tribute Aired Once During the 2002 Super Bowl and People Still Remember It

Sixty seconds, no words, and a horse named Ringo doing the only thing the country needed to see. On Sunday, February 3, 2002, during Super Bowl XXXVI, Anheuser-Busch ran a ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.