Wings is a song originally released by English singer-songwriter Birdy in 2011. It was the lead single from her debut studio album, Birdy. The song achieved commercial success, reaching the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Many other artists have covered Wings since its release, putting their own spin on the track. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most popular covers of Wings and examine how each artist made the song their own.
Birdy’s Original Version
Birdy’s version of Wings was released in 2011 when she was just 14 years old. However, her emotionally powerful vocals and skilled piano playing made the track an instant hit. The song starts off slowly, with Birdy singing over simple piano chords. As the track builds, strings and drums come in to supplement the piano. Birdy’s voice effortlessly glides over the top, imbuing the lyrics about freedom and escape with a wisdom beyond her years. The song was a breakthrough moment for the young singer, proving she could captivate audiences with the emotional depth of her music.
Covers That Went Viral
Several covers of Wings went viral after being shared on YouTube. Two covers helped launch the artists to fame.
Sam Tsui’s Cover
In 2011, YouTube musician Sam Tsui recorded an emotional piano-vocal cover of Wings. His version copied Birdy’s arrangement but added sweeping orchestral strings. The cover quickly went viral, earning over 5 million views. Tsui’s success with the song helped him become an influential figure among YouTube musicians.
Megan Nicole’s Pop Cover
In 2012, singer Megan Nicole released a pop version of Wings. Her cover stripped away the piano, instead having a driving beat and synthesizers. Megan sang with a breathy, ethereal vocal tone. Her cover received over 4 million YouTube views and expanded her audience. This success ultimately led to Megan getting a record deal.
Covers by Established Artists
Some well-known artists also tried their hand at covering Wings. Their versions demonstrated how the song could be reinvented in new genres.
Mike Tompkins’ A Capella Beatbox Cover
Beatboxer Mike Tompkins created an a capella cover of Wings in 2012. He did all the instrumentation using just his voice and a loop pedal. Mike beatboxed drums and piano chords. He also added electronic vocals and acoustic guitar sounds. This unique cover garnered over 17 million YouTube views, expanding Mike’s audience.
Kina Grannis’ Folk Cover
Singer-songwriter Kina Grannis released a folk version of Wings in 2012. Her cover had a gentle guitar line supporting her wispy, emotive vocals. Kina’s harmonies and the sparse instrumentation gave the track an intimate feel. Her folk take on the song reached over 2 million Spotify streams.
Boyce Avenue’s Acoustic Cover
The pop-rock band Boyce Avenue recorded an acoustic cover of Wings in 2012. Their version transformed the song into a duet between the band’s two vocalists. Soothing acoustic guitars and piano provided the background. Boyce Avenue’s harmonized vocals brought out the song’s inspirational lyrics. This cover helped the band continue gaining a YouTube following.
Covers in Other Languages
International artists also created versions of Wings in their native languages. These covers demonstrated the song’s worldwide appeal.
Vitaa’s French Cover
French pop singer Vitaa released a cover of Wings in 2012, called “EnvolĂ©e.” Her version had a similar emotional piano ballad arrangement as Birdy’s original. However, Vitaa sang the lyrics in French. This brought the song to French radio and helped establish Vitaa in the Quebec market.
Uyanga Bold’s Mongolian Cover
Mongolian singer Uyanga Bold covered Wings in 2012 with Mongolian lyrics. Her version had a pop ballad production with acoustic guitars. Uyanga’s expressive, soaring vocals added unique flavors. This cover introduced many Mongolians to Birdy’s song.
Stephanie’s Malaysian Cover
Malaysian singer Stephanie released a cover of Wings in 2012 with Malay lyrics. She sang over a simple piano and string arrangement. Her emotional vocals connected with Malaysian audiences. This helped establish Stephanie’s career in Malaysia.
Use in TV Talent Competitions
Wings became a popular song choice for contestants on TV talent competitions. Young singers connected with its inspirational lyrics about taking flight.
Avery on The Voice
In 2012, Avery Wilson sang Wings in his blind audition on NBC’s “The Voice.” His smooth R&B vocals impressed the judges. Avery’s version added in ad-libs to showcase his vocal range. The cover helped him advance in the competition.
Carly on X Factor
That same year, Scottish teenager Carly Rose Sonenclar sang Wings on the American X Factor. Her strong vocals and passion helped her make it to the finals. Carly’s version built from a soft start to a dramatic climax with sweeping strings.
Jessica on America’s Got Talent
In 2013, Jessica Sanchez performed Wings on “America’s Got Talent.” Only 17, her mature vocals stunned the audience. Jessica began a capella before the piano entered. Her cover received a standing ovation and high praise from the judges.
Use in TV and Film
TV shows and films also featured Wings covers to heighten emotional moments. The evocative song worked well during poignant scenes.
Show | Artist | Scene Description |
---|---|---|
Glee | Glee Cast | During a scene about overcoming bullies |
90210 | Avery | Played while couples bonded romantically |
The Vampire Diaries | Tyler Ward | During a sad goodbye between characters |
Conclusion
Wings touched listeners around the world with its inspiring themes. As we’ve seen, many artists covered the song and made it their own. Covers went viral on YouTube, launched careers, and brought Wings to new countries and genres. On TV, contestants sang Wings to impress judges with their talent. TV shows and films featured covers to accentuate emotional scenes. Wings flew high with an enduring appeal proven by its wide-ranging covers. Birdy created a modern standard that continues to resonate across cultures.