"Time for Me to Fly" is a song by American rock band REO Speedwagon, released in 1978 as the second single from the album You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish. It was written by lead singer Kevin Cronin and took 10 years to write. The song originally reached number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100, but later reached number 34 on the Digital Songs chart after being used in Netflix's Ozark. It also reached number 90 on the Canadian charts. The song has a BPM of 81 BPM and plays in time signature.

Writing and recording Cronin originally wrote the song in the early 1970s and he wanted to include it on the 1976 album R.E.O. but it was rejected by the album's producer John Stronach. After Cronin redid the song's arrangement and completed the chorus, the song was included on You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish, which was produced by the band.

Cronin said:

Cronin also said:

Lyrics and music The lyrics of "Time for Me to Fly" are about a man who decides he's had enough of his lover and decides to leave her for good. They were inspired by Cronin's first breakup. The music has the sound of a country music ballad. Cronin plays an acoustic guitar using an open tuning.

Reception Cash Box praised the "melodic singing and acoustic guitar work...enveloping chorus and...catchy lyric." Record World said that it is "characteristic of the group's imaginative use of rock's common raw materials."

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matt Wardlaw rated it as REO Speedwagon's all-time 3rd best song.

In 2021, REO Speedwagon's home state of Illinois used the song as "Time for Me to Drive" for a tourism campaign.

It was used in the 2010 film Grown Ups and in the "Kevin Cronin Was Here" episode of season 3 of the TV series Ozark. After the Ozark episode it returned to the charts, reaching number 34 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart and number 15 on the Hot Rock songs chart.

Charts Chart (1978)PeakpositionCanada RPM Top Singles90 Chart (2020)Peakposition

Other versions Dolly Parton recorded a bluegrass version for her 1989 album White Limozeen. It was released as the fourth single from the album in January 1990 and peaked at No. 39 on the U.S. Billboard Country chart.

References

External links