Broken Wings

Released September 25, 1985, as the lead single from Welcome to the Real World, "Broken Wings" became Mr. Mister's breakthrough hit. Written by Richard Page, Steve George, and John Lang, the song blends soft rock with new wave, built around a descending synthesizer riff that anchors its polished, atmospheric production. Page's soaring tenor and the layered harmonies give the track an emotional weight that propelled it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on November 30, 1985, where it stayed for two weeks. It also hit number one on the Adult Contemporary chart and topped the RPM chart in Canada.

The song's international reach extended to number four on the UK Singles Chart, number two in Ireland, and top-five placements in Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland. The RIAA certified it Gold in February 1986, and the BPI followed with a Gold certification in March 2024. Critics praised its haunting melody and restrained arrangement; Rolling Stone called it a masterclass in synth-driven rock balladry, while AllMusic deemed it the band's crowning achievement.

The official music video, directed by Oley Sassone, intercuts the band performing in a dim industrial space with surreal imagery of a woman in flowing white fabric and a broken birdcage. Over the decades, "Broken Wings" has appeared in films, TV shows like The Goldbergs, and video games such as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. Artists from Apocalyptica to Black Veil Brides have covered it, and its iconic riff continues to be sampled in hip-hop and electronic tracks.[edit]