ROCK MOMENT – REO Speedwagon ‘Time For Me To Fly”
REO Speedwagon’s ‘Time for Me to Fly’ is one of the band’s most emotionally resonant power ballads, capturing a moment of transition both musically and personally for the group. The song was released in 1978 on their album You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish, an album that marked REO’s commercial breakthrough and helped push them from hardworking Midwestern road warriors into mainstream rock stars.
Written by lead singer and keyboardist Kevin Cronin, ‘Time for Me to Fly’ is a reflective breakup song about recognizing when a relationship has run its course and finding the strength to move on. Cronin has explained that the lyrics were inspired by a real-life romantic relationship that had become emotionally draining. Rather than writing an angry or bitter song, he focused on the quiet realization that staying would only lead to more pain. Lines like “I’ve made up my mind, it’s time for me to fly” convey a sense of calm resolve, making the song relatable to anyone who has faced the difficult choice of letting go.
Musically, the track showcases the softer side of REO Speedwagon. Built around gentle piano, melodic guitar lines from Gary Richrath, and rich vocal harmonies, the song balances tenderness with the band’s trademark arena-rock polish. Producer Kevin Beamish helped craft a smooth, radio-friendly sound that allowed the emotion of the lyrics to take center stage without sacrificing the group’s rock identity.
Although ‘Time for Me to Fly’ was not initially released as a single in the United States, it became a major hit on FM radio and later charted in several countries, particularly in Canada, where it reached the Top 10. Over time, it has become one of REO Speedwagon’s most enduring and beloved songs, frequently included in their live shows and greatest-hits collections.
The song’s legacy grew even stronger in the 1990s and 2000s when it was used in films, television, and commercials, introducing it to new generations. Today, ‘Time for Me to Fly’ stands as a classic example of the late-1970s power ballad: heartfelt, melodic, and honest, capturing the universal moment when someone realizes it’s finally time to move on and spread their wings.
