Wings of a Dove

Madness

About Wings of a Dove

"Wings of a Dove" (also known as "Wings of a Dove (A Celebratory Song)") is a song by Madness. It was released in 1983 as a stand-alone single and later in 1984 it was included on the American version of their album Keep Moving. The single spent 10 weeks in British charts peaking at number 2. It peaked at number 1 in Ireland. "Wings of a Dove" was written by Suggs and Chas Smash and they also share lead vocals here. The song is quite unusual for Madness, featuring steel drums by Creighton Steel Sounds and the gospel choir The Inspirational Choir of the Pentecostal First Born Church of the Living God. In 1985, Madness offered the song as their contribution to the multi-artist compilation Greenpeace – The Album. The song enjoyed a brief resurgence in popularity in 1999 when it was featured in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You. Madness performed a version live on BBC1 on New Year's Eve, 2018. 


Year:
2004
3:00
60 

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Take time for your pleasure
And laugh with love
Take the hand of another
And sing for the wings of a dove

Woah woah, for the wings of a dove
Woah woah, for the wings of a dove

Look up at the rooftops
When you're walking 'round
Don't think for a moment
Of looking down

Woah woah, (Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah) for the wings of a dove
Woah woah, for the wings of a dove
Woah woah, for the wings of a dove
Woah woah, for the wings of a dove

Ha-lellujah (lellujah)
Ha-lellujah (lellujah)

Look up at the rooftops (the roof)
When you're walking 'round
Don't think for a moment
Of looking down

At a room at the top
Where we're not allowed
Cheer to the echo 
Can you hear the sound

Woah woah, (Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah) for the wings of a dove
Woah woah, (Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah) for the wings of a dove
Woah woah, for the wings of a dove
Woah woah, for the wings of a dove

Yeah yeah yeah (etc.)
Woah woah, for the wings of a dove
Woah woah, for the wings of a dove
Et cetera

Blue Train!
Blue train taking me from you....

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Madness

Madness are an English ska band from Camden Town, London, that formed in 1976. One of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s 2 Tone ska revival, they continue to perform with their most recognised line-up of seven members. more »

2 fans

Written by: CATHAL SMYTH, CHRISTOPHER JOHN FOREMAN, DANIEL MARK WOODGATE, GRAHAM MCPHERSON, LEE JAY THOMPSON, MARK WILLIAM BEDFORD, MICHAEL BARSON

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Wings of a Dove" is a song by the British ska and pop band Madness. It is a fusion of ska and pop, embodying the diverse sounds that are characteristic of the band.
Chart Performance
Released as a single on August 29, 1983, this song proved to be a significant commercial success. It reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 10 for a month.
Album Information
"Wings of a Dove" can be found on the band's compilation album called "Complete Madness," which also featured other hits.
Musicianship
Unlike many Madness songs, which were collaborative efforts, "Wings of a Dove" was predominately written by band members Suggs (aka Graham McPherson) and Chas Smash (aka Carl Smyth).
Music Video
The song’s music video is particularly memorable. It shows the band members delivering musical instruments to an impoverished part of the world via a drop from an aeroplane.
Inspirations
The band used the Biblical story of Noah's Ark as an allegory in their song to deliver a message of hope and resilience in turbulent times.
Unique Instrumentation
Another interesting aspect of "Wings of a Dove" is its musical structure. The song uses an unusual mix of instruments including steel drums, a brass section, and a choir, which were not typically used in Madness’s previous music.
Critical Reception
The song has been critically lauded as one of Madness's finest. It is often cited as a testament to the band's versatility, creativity, and willingness to venture outside traditional ska and pop soundscapes.
Live Performances
Despite the complexity of the song, it has become a mainstay of Madness's live performances, featuring quite prominently in their gigs.
Cultural Impact
Over the years, "Wings of a Dove" has transcended being merely a pop hit and has become something of a cultural phenomenon in its own right in the UK, frequently appearing in pop culture, TV, movies, and advertisements.

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