Song #586: "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister

Date: Dec 7, 1985
Weeks: 2

I mentioned the other day that I wasn't certain how to describe the soft rock sound of the 70s, but boy oh boy can I tell you all about the soft rock sound of the 80s. This is a great example of the 80s soft rock genre. It's so cheesy.

The male singer screeches, trying to sound passionate but coming off whiny. The guitars are overly restrained and repetitive, pushed to the background and not allowed to break out and become the featured part of the song. Synthesized keyboard accents complement the singing, but don't sound very good. It's kind of amazing how many bands in the 80s were unafraid of featuring that fake keyboard sound.

The lyrics make their general meaning apparent, but are so insufficiently descriptive that it's hard to maintain interest in them. The gist is that the guy is worried his relationship is failing, but he thinks that by singing this song and recommitting to the relationship, he can save it. It's like a pre-breakup song. But you'll note it's not an apology song.

My inner cynic can't help but express the following thought: Was Mr. Mister attempting to profit from people's pain by writing a song specifically for people whose relationship was currently hanging from a thread? Because this isn't one of those songs where the sentiment is still applicable years later, after the relationship has either been repaired or ended. The target window is oddly specific.

I really dislike the lyric "the book of love will open up and let us in." What's the book of love? How do you enter a book, unless you are Gumby? This is an odd metaphor. I'll give them the metaphor about a bird learning to fly after breaking its wings but the book of love metaphor feels like filler.

My verdict: Don't like it. It kind of fails at all levels. It's an example of the 80s soft rock genre, but it also highlights what was wrong with 80s soft rock. I'm sure there will be some good 80s soft rock later, but this sure isn't it.