Many have asked why this particular song resonates so deeply and why it’s sung repeatedly. The reason is simple: this song, often referred to as “I Can Fly I Can Fly Song,” embodies the power of belief. It’s about standing firm in what you believe, living by it, and making it an integral part of who you are. For the singer, this feeling of belief is profoundly connected to a sense of freedom, like a bird taking flight to escape mental burdens and find solace in a place untouched by the world’s reach. Whether imagining soaring above the tallest trees or the highest mountains, the song evokes a sense of limitless potential, no plane needed to achieve eagle-like heights.
This powerful imagery of flight and freedom is rooted in a deeply personal journey of overcoming adversity. Following graduation, life took an unexpected turn when a job at the U.S. Post Office, working the late “party shift,” was lost due to repeated unauthorized absences. This job loss triggered a downward spiral, a loss of self. Having always avoided alcohol due to a family tragedy, the singer turned to another destructive force: drugs. Life became a harsh reality of living on the streets, finding shelter in abandoned buildings, and the dangerous environments of drug dens. Each day was a struggle for survival, sinking deeper into despair, feeling like approaching one’s own grave. The thought of bringing children into such a painful existence was unbearable, leading to a solitary life.
A turning point arrived unexpectedly in the form of a small kitten that followed the singer home. Finding comfort in sleep, waking up to the kitten’s meows revealed a stark choice. The only money available was for drugs, but the kitten was hungry. A pivotal moment of clarity emerged – a quiet voice suggesting, “Take care of my child, and I’ll take care of you.” Returning with food for the kitten, the same voice resonated upon seeing a discarded plastic bag used for drugs, reinforcing the message: “Take care of my child, and I’ll take care of you.” A timely knock at the door brought a friend sharing information about Street Sense, a street newspaper.
Venturing into selling Street Sense marked the beginning of a slow climb back. Initially, earnings were meager, barely enough for kitten food (named Sugar) and enough drugs to stave off withdrawal. Hope flickered when overhearing a conversation about a methadone clinic, a place offering medical assistance to overcome drug addiction. That inner voice guided the decision to seek help. Since then, life has transformed. Sugar, the kitten, became a mother herself, and the singer achieved stability with their own place, earned a veterinary assistant license, and most importantly, achieved sobriety.
This incredible transformation is why the song, “I can fly I can fly song,” holds such profound meaning. The lyrics resonate with personal experience: “I used to think that I could not go on, and life was just an awful song. But now I know the meaning of true love, I’m leaning on the everlasting arm. If I can see it then I can do it. If I can just believe it, there’s nothing to it. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spreading my wings to fly away. I believe I can soar. I see me running through the open door. I believe I can fly. I was on the verge of breaking down, sometimes things seem so loud. There are miracles in life I must achieve, but first it starts inside of me. If I can see it, then I can be it. If I can believe it, there’s nothing to it. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away. I believe I can soar, I see me running through the open door.”
The belief to fly, to overcome, is deeply intertwined with faith. Feeling rejuvenated, reborn, and with a sense of purpose, there’s now an opportunity to contribute positively to society after a period of taking. A new attitude towards life has emerged. This song, this “I can fly I can fly song,” is more than just music; it’s a personal anthem, a testament to a life transformed, a declaration: “I do believe I can fly!”
