That Sound of Music in the Air

Some songs can take you airborne without leaving the ground.

Monday, June 17, 2024 at 09:03 AM ET

Verified

The album that captures the romance of commercial flight was made in the 1950s. Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra featured songs about Chicago, New York, Brazil, and Paris. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The author, a pilot and surgeon, shares his personal evolution from enjoying music during flights and surgeries to discontinuing it in professional settings due to the paramount need for clear communication.
He distinguishes between songs about the exhilarating experience of personal flight, often associated with freedom and perseverance, and those about commercial air travel, which frequently evoke themes of separation and loneliness.
The article highlights iconic aviation-themed songs, from classic rock to country, emphasizing their metaphorical significance and emotional connection to the physical and aspirational aspects of flying.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Flying and drinking, flying and listening to good music, or thinking of flying and listening to good music are among the aviator’s most enjoyable moments.

“To live is to fly, low and high. So shake the dust off your wings and the sleep out of your eyes,” is a line from the song “To Live Is to Fly,” written by a Texan, the late Townes Van Zandt, and made popular by another Texan, the late Guy Clark.

Dick Karl

Dick Karl is a cancer surgeon who appreciates the beauty and science involved in both surgery and flying. Dick’s monthly Gear Up celebrates the human side of flying. He writes about his enthusiasm for both the machines and the people who fly and maintain them.