I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly Lyrics Meaning – Unfolding the Embodiment of Hope and Self-Belief

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for R. Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I’m leaning on the everlasting arms

If I can see it, then I can do it
If I 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 (night and day)
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly hoo

See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me, ho oh

If I can see it hoo, then I can be it
If I 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 (night and day)
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
Oh, I believe I can fly hoo

Hey, ’cause I believe in me, oh

If I can see it hoo, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there’s nothing to it hey

I believe I can fly hoo
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 that open door
I believe I can fly (I can fly)
I believe I can fly (I can fly)
I believe I can fly (I can fly) hey

If I just spread my wings (I can fly)
I can fly (I can fly)
I can fly (I can fly) yeah
I can fly (I can fly) hey
If I just spread my wings (I can fly)
I can fly (I can fly)
(I can fly) whoa
(I can fly)
(Hmm, fly, fly, fly)

Few songs have struck a chord with the aspirational spirit quite like R. Kelly’s ‘I Believe I Can Fly.’ Soaring far beyond its melodic lines, this anthem has become synonymous with the limitless potential of the human spirit. With a simple yet profound message, its lyrics urge us to unshackle ourselves from the doubts that weigh down our wings and embrace the boundless skies of our dreams.

But beneath its glossy veneer of an inspirational song perfect for graduations and sports victories, what deeper meanings do the words of ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ conceal? Let’s delve into the layers of R. Kelly’s message and explore what makes this tune a timeless ode to self-empowerment and transcendence.

From Darkness to Light: A Tale of Triumph and Transformation

The opening lines of ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ unveil a familiar narrative: one of despair and defeat. Life, depicted as ‘nothing but an awful song,’ embodies the nadir of hopelessness. However, the ballad does not wallow in sorrow but instead uses that low point as a necessary backdrop for a story of personal revolution.

The protagonist’s discovery of ‘true love’ hints not just at romantic love but at a self-love that propels them forward. It’s a transformative love that finds support on ‘everlasting arms’—perhaps a metaphor for spiritual faith, a supportive community, or an unyielding belief in oneself without which ascent remains but a distant dream.

Visualize, Believe, Achieve: The Mantra Behind the Melody

On its surface, the chorus’ repetition of ‘I believe I can fly’ may read as a simplistic wish. But closer scrutiny reveals a psychological blueprint for success. The visual conviction (‘If I can see it’) combined with unwavering belief (‘then I can do it’) encapsulate a mental practice employed by athletes and moguls alike: visualization.

R. Kelly suggests that it is within the realm of our imagination that the seeds of our greatest achievements are sown. The absence of complexity in this strategy (‘there’s nothing to it’) underscores that the perceived difficulty of a task often lies not in its execution, but in the mental barriers we erect.

The Unheard Echo Inside: Confronting the Noise of Silence

Silence, for many, is a sanctuary of peace. Yet the lyrics, ‘Sometimes silence can seem so loud,’ speak to the isolation that stagnation can foster. In the interludes between action and inertia, the absence of progress or the encouragement of peers can scream silence into our conscience.

This silence is both a challenge and an opportunity. It forces the character—and by extension, the listener—to confront inner demons and to find miracles within, for it is ‘inside of me’ that the journey of ascension begins. This inward focus shifts away from external validation to a more potent source of affirmation: our own potential.

The Eternal Refrain: Quintessential Lines that Define a Generation

There are lines in music that transcend their origin, etching themselves into the cultural psyche, and ‘I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky’ are such lines. Far from mere lyrics, they’ve morphed into an international phrase of unlimited hope and human potential.

This repetition throughout the song holds a mirror to the act of affirmation, a psychological tool used to reinforce self-belief through constant repetition. Each statement is an act of defiance against the gravity of doubt and a reassertion of the power of conviction.

The Metaphorical Leap: Deciphering the Song’s Hidden Meanings

For many, ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ is more parable than pop song. The ideas of flight and doorways serve as powerful metaphors. To ‘spread my wings’ suggests the deployment of abilities or opportunities that, until that moment, were folded away, unused.

Furthermore, the ‘open door’ symbolizes new beginnings and the bravery required to dart through it. It’s not merely about recognizing the door but also seizing the moment to sprint towards a destiny that fears cannot blockade. Kelly’s refrain is an invocation to awaken the dormant courage we all possess to take that leap into the unknown.