Six songs to jam out to during the 2013 OC Air Show
Posted On: 6/7/13
Written By: Nathan Brunet
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“Daedalus” – Thrice
"Come Fly with Me” – Frank Sinatra
“Learning to Fly” – Pink Floyd
“Fly Like an Eagle” – Steve Miller Band
“Danger Zone” – Kenny Loggins
“Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
I hope none of you are too sensitive of loud noises; otherwise y,ou’ll be plugging your ears the majority of this weekend while the skies of Ocean City will be full of aerial entertainers during the 2013 OC Air Show. This Saturday and Sunday starting at 1:00 p.m. each day, several performances will be held on the beach, featuring stunt planes, a parachute team, jet demonstrations and more. Ocean City has been putting on this show for years, and although the lauded Blue Angels won’t be a part of this year’s show, the acts look to be as entertaining as ever. Now that I’m all excited to see numerous blazing-fast aircrafts twist, turn and flip through the skies, here are six of my favorite songs that have to do with flight.
“Daedalus” – Thrice
Off the album: The Alchemy Index Vol. III (2008)
A four-part album, The Alchemy Index is an amazing concept album in which each volume represents one of the four elements: fire, water, air and earth. Being that Vol. III’s subject is air, either flight or the sky is the subject matter of every song on it. “Daedalus” retells the story of the mythological Greek character who was imprisoned and made makeshift wings out of string and wax to fly away and escape with his son, Icarus. As most of you know, the tale has a grim ending, as Daedalus and Icarus have about as good of luck as the Stark family. Icarus flies too close to the sun, which melts his wings, and then he falls to the sea and drowns. The song is somber and slow, but very emotional and captivating at the same time.
Off the album: The Alchemy Index Vol. III (2008)
A four-part album, The Alchemy Index is an amazing concept album in which each volume represents one of the four elements: fire, water, air and earth. Being that Vol. III’s subject is air, either flight or the sky is the subject matter of every song on it. “Daedalus” retells the story of the mythological Greek character who was imprisoned and made makeshift wings out of string and wax to fly away and escape with his son, Icarus. As most of you know, the tale has a grim ending, as Daedalus and Icarus have about as good of luck as the Stark family. Icarus flies too close to the sun, which melts his wings, and then he falls to the sea and drowns. The song is somber and slow, but very emotional and captivating at the same time.
“Come Fly with Me” – Frank Sinatra
Off the album: Come Fly with Me (1957)
OK, we’re getting a little happier here. In this classic number, the jazz and swing-influenced icon gives a preview of what’s to come in the album, by inviting a special someone (you can pretend it’s yourself) to travel the world with him. While the song is technically categorized as pop, a lively and large jazz band accompanies Sinatra, which in my mind, puts it on a higher pedestal than any pop song recorded in modern times (I’m looking at you, Bieber). This is a timeless song that people will be dancing to for decades – and probably centuries – to come.
Off the album: Come Fly with Me (1957)
OK, we’re getting a little happier here. In this classic number, the jazz and swing-influenced icon gives a preview of what’s to come in the album, by inviting a special someone (you can pretend it’s yourself) to travel the world with him. While the song is technically categorized as pop, a lively and large jazz band accompanies Sinatra, which in my mind, puts it on a higher pedestal than any pop song recorded in modern times (I’m looking at you, Bieber). This is a timeless song that people will be dancing to for decades – and probably centuries – to come.
“Learning to Fly” – Pink Floyd
Off the album: A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
While this song was written near the end of Pink Floyd’s run as one of the greatest rock bands in history, it’s still recognized as a classic by many fans of the band. Starting with a riff that is undeniably the guitar of vocalist and guitarist David Gilmour, the song tells a story about Gilmour’s (who is a licensed pilot in real life) thoughts about flying. The tune also has an interesting double meaning, being that this was the first Pink Floyd album released without co-founder Roger Waters. Gilmour has confirmed that the song is also about the experiences of taking lead of the band after Waters’ departure. Even with the absence of Waters, it still sounds like classic Pink Floyd, down to the Darkside-esque choir in the background.
Off the album: A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
While this song was written near the end of Pink Floyd’s run as one of the greatest rock bands in history, it’s still recognized as a classic by many fans of the band. Starting with a riff that is undeniably the guitar of vocalist and guitarist David Gilmour, the song tells a story about Gilmour’s (who is a licensed pilot in real life) thoughts about flying. The tune also has an interesting double meaning, being that this was the first Pink Floyd album released without co-founder Roger Waters. Gilmour has confirmed that the song is also about the experiences of taking lead of the band after Waters’ departure. Even with the absence of Waters, it still sounds like classic Pink Floyd, down to the Darkside-esque choir in the background.
"Fly Like an Eagle” – Steve Miller Band
Off the album: Fly Like an Eagle (1976)
Well, at least some of these bands are creative with their album titles. I kid! I kid! Anyway, most of you are familiar with this trippy classic rock song that explains what Steve Miller really wanted to do as America dealt with a rough political climate in the 70s. It was simple; Miller wanted to just escape all of these problems, let his soul loose and fly freely and peacefully as an eagle. The song is slow but groovy, and includes a pretty trippy synthesizer that really makes you feel you’re flying higher and higher in the air…with its affects ranging depending on how sober you are. It upsets me that almost every radio station (and almost every YouTube user) omits the elevating synthesizer intro that sets the tone for the song. When listening, I urge you to find a version of the song that ends around the six minute mark.
Off the album: Fly Like an Eagle (1976)
Well, at least some of these bands are creative with their album titles. I kid! I kid! Anyway, most of you are familiar with this trippy classic rock song that explains what Steve Miller really wanted to do as America dealt with a rough political climate in the 70s. It was simple; Miller wanted to just escape all of these problems, let his soul loose and fly freely and peacefully as an eagle. The song is slow but groovy, and includes a pretty trippy synthesizer that really makes you feel you’re flying higher and higher in the air…with its affects ranging depending on how sober you are. It upsets me that almost every radio station (and almost every YouTube user) omits the elevating synthesizer intro that sets the tone for the song. When listening, I urge you to find a version of the song that ends around the six minute mark.
“Danger Zone” – Kenny Loggins
Off the album: Top Gun (1986)
I know you’ve all been waiting for this one. Honestly, I would rank some of the previous songs on this list higher than this song, but its relevancy to the air show brought it up a little higher. I’ll be surprised if you don’t hear this song at least 100 times over the weekend. Written for the film “Top Gun” starring America’s pretty boy, Tom Cruise, “Danger Zone” epitomizes the rock-star feeling of flying a jet through the skies. For a little bit of trivia, the iconic guitar riff was performed by Dann Huff, vocalist and guitarist of 80s hard rock group, Giant. Yes, I just learned this from Wikipedia, and I’ve never heard of Giant before. Now, I just have to let someone know where we are… LANAAAAAA!
Off the album: Top Gun (1986)
I know you’ve all been waiting for this one. Honestly, I would rank some of the previous songs on this list higher than this song, but its relevancy to the air show brought it up a little higher. I’ll be surprised if you don’t hear this song at least 100 times over the weekend. Written for the film “Top Gun” starring America’s pretty boy, Tom Cruise, “Danger Zone” epitomizes the rock-star feeling of flying a jet through the skies. For a little bit of trivia, the iconic guitar riff was performed by Dann Huff, vocalist and guitarist of 80s hard rock group, Giant. Yes, I just learned this from Wikipedia, and I’ve never heard of Giant before. Now, I just have to let someone know where we are… LANAAAAAA!
“Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Off the album: (Pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd) (1973)
No, I’m not insulting your intelligence; that’s really the name of the album. We complete our list with the greatest rock jam in music history. I don’t need to explain what this one sounds like; you’ve already played your air guitar to this song hundreds, if not, thousands of times. In my opinion, while other bands do great guitar duets, none have ever done it better than the performance on “Free Bird.” It is still the band’s finale while playing live, and the jamming can go on long after its normal nine minute run; sometimes even being a half an hour long. If you are likely to hear “Danger Zone” 100 times this weekend, prepare to hear “Free Bird” thousands of times, whether you’re watching the air show, walking the boardwalk or cruising down Coastal Highway. And that’s a good thing.
Off the album: (Pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd) (1973)
No, I’m not insulting your intelligence; that’s really the name of the album. We complete our list with the greatest rock jam in music history. I don’t need to explain what this one sounds like; you’ve already played your air guitar to this song hundreds, if not, thousands of times. In my opinion, while other bands do great guitar duets, none have ever done it better than the performance on “Free Bird.” It is still the band’s finale while playing live, and the jamming can go on long after its normal nine minute run; sometimes even being a half an hour long. If you are likely to hear “Danger Zone” 100 times this weekend, prepare to hear “Free Bird” thousands of times, whether you’re watching the air show, walking the boardwalk or cruising down Coastal Highway. And that’s a good thing.