I Believe I Can Fly

Album: Space Jam Soundtrack (1996)
Charted: 1 2
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Songfacts®:

  • R. Kelly wrote this for Space Jam, a popular 1996 movie starring Michael Jordan and other NBA stars in a world of cartoons (including Bugs Bunny). The song plays in the opening scene where a young Jordan is practicing late at night. When his father comes to bring him inside, they talk about Michael's aspirations: to play at North Carolina; to play in the NBA; to fly.

    The movie was big at the box office, but this song was even bigger, becoming an inspirational anthem often played at weddings and used in video tributes.

    A Space Jam sequel (Space Jam: A New Legacy) appeared in 2021 with LeBron James in the starring role. Kelly was not invited to participate; in lieu of his legal troubles, having him involved in a kids' movie would have been problematic.
  • Kelly got an early copy of the movie to view for inspiration. According to Rolling Stone magazine, Kelly said, "I studied it and I prayed over it because I wanted the best thing to come out of it."
  • This won 1997 Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television.
  • Kelly may claim that he believes he can fly in this song, but in reality the R&B superstar has a chronic fear of air travel. Kelly is so scared of planes that he even takes boats when he tours Europe.
  • Speaking to The Boombox, Kelly revealed his creative process for this song: "When I met Michael Jordan on a basketball court at an athletic club - we hooped together in Chicago - he came to me and asked me if I wanted to do a song for his upcoming movie. I was like, 'Yeah!' I didn't even ask what it was. [Eventually] he let me know what it was, we went to a screening to watch it and that's when I ended up coming up with 'I Believe I Can Fly.' I knew from the first melody that was gonna be the song that was gonna take me out of R&B and into another genre of music."

    Kelly added that the Notorious B.I.G. came around while he was writing the song and immediately saw its hit potential. "I was in a hotel in a deep sleep, so I kinda dreamt that melody," he recalled. "I went down to the lobby and had the security unlock the piano because it was locked. I started messing around with three-finger chords to give myself a guide with the melody. And I started hearing… [hums the melody of 'I Believe I Can Fly']. I had a lot of 'duh duh duhs' before I actually wrote what it is. But after spending two hours at that piano, watching a whole 'lotta women and men coming in back and forth, I was over in that corner on that piano. By the time Biggie came in [the hotel] it was like two hours later, I had [begins singing] 'I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky, I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away' - I had about that much. He was like, 'Oh, B, that's a big hit, son.' And it ended up being exactly that."
  • Kelly co-directed the music video with Hype Williams. For most of the clip, Kelly sings in a cornfield but he eventually meets a choir in an auditorium. Scenes from Space Jam are also shown on a screen in the background.
  • "I Believe I Can Fly" powered the Space Jam soundtrack to over 6 million in sales. Another "fly" song - Seal's cover of "Fly Like An Eagle," was also part of the soundtrack, but most of the other songs were jock jams, including the title track by The Quad City DJ's.

Comments: 16

  • Lenin from Aleyh, Lebanonoh man i love this sooooo much it is perfect...
  • Helen from Milwaukee, WiTo Ben from Adelaide, Australia -

    This is interesting information - would you please tell me the name of the song that R. Kelly ripped off from the Lighthouse family?

    Thanks.
  • Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiI love this song,I also love the video,too.
  • Austin Read from Vancouver, WaI have the William Hung version of this song, it's just terrible, Hung totally destroyed this song!
  • Angel from Toronto, CanadaI really like this song and its one my favourite because its very inspiring and it gives you confidence that nothing is impossible!! Its a really beautiful song!! I hope who ever listens to it will enjoy it as much as I did!!!

    ~~Angel~~
  • Angel from Toronto, CanadaWe are going to use this song for our grade six graduation!!!!
  • Angel from Toronto, CanadaI love this song!!!
    It's really nice song and its beautiful and makes have confidence in yourself!! This song really helped me in my life!!
    Thanks!:D:D


    Angel,Canada
  • Sara from Traverse City, MiThis was a good song before R. Kelly decide he'd be weird. In my opion anyways.
  • Jody from Santa Fe, TxThis song was used for my 7 year old sisters kindergarden graduation.
  • Corryncia from Houston, Tx"I Believe I Can Fly" is a great song, but because people tend to overplay it, it has become dreadful to the ears.
  • Justin from Springfield, MoIt's about recognizing you can do anything if you put your mind to it. (at least thats what it seems to mean to me)
  • David from Guelph, CanadaWhy is this the only R.Kelly Song?

    There are at least 10 more that should be listed
  • Ben from Adelaide, Australiathis song was ripped off by a song by the Lighthouse family which done it orignally and was placed on the spacejam soundtrack, R.kelly just ripped it off and added some lyrics, theres a subliminal message in it aswell if played extremly loud.. "i wanna piss on you" by chappelle show absoloutly beats this guy hands down in rip-offism..lol
  • John-martin from Silver Creek, MsRegardless of whatever you are going through in life, this song should give you the inpspiration to press on even in adversity. I should know.
  • Sharon from Aucklandhmmmm well this song is ok if you take it seriously and don't actually think about the fact that it is impossible for r.kelly to fly as he is not a bird. but i do realize that that is not what the song is about
  • Matthew from East Brunswick, NjThis song is so beautiful, and so inspirational. Good work.
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