Grow Wings and Fly
{{Infobox song
| name = Grow Wings and Fly
| cover = Phantom Island Album Cover.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
| album = Phantom Island
| B-side =
| released = {{Start date|2025|5|13|df=yes}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 5:08
| label = P(doom)
| writer =
| producer =
| prev_title = Deadstick
| prev_year = 2025
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|TWUIsRsvJC8|"Grow Wings and Fly"}}}}
}}
"Grow Wings and Fly" is the third single from the album Phantom Island by the rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.
Background
"Grow Wings and Fly" originally began as a continuation of "Shanghai",{{cite web |title=History of "Grow Wings and Fly" by King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard |url=https://kglw.net/song/grow-wings-and-fly/about?artist_id=1 |website=KGLW.net |access-date=13 May 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Jonathan |title=King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 'Fly' High On New Single |url=https://www.spin.com/2025/05/king-gizzard-grow-wings-and-fly/ |website=Spin |date=13 May 2025 |access-date=13 May 2025}} however, the first mention of it as a separate track was at the 2024 Germania Insurance Amphitheatre show in Austin, Texas. It was then announced as a part of Phantom Island on 15 April, on the band's Instagram.{{cite web |last1=Pearis |first1=Bill |title=King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard detail new orchestral album, share "Deadstick" video |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-detail-new-orchestral-album-share-deadstick-video/ |website=BrooklynVegan |access-date=13 May 2025}}
Release
The first verse mirrors the lyrics of "Shanghai", off of Butterfly 3000, and the theme mirrors "Le Risque", off of Flight b741, as the song's lyrics are about taking risks, casting off self-doubt, and living life to its fullest.{{cite web |last1=Vance |first1=Will |title=Grow Wings and Fly King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Lyrics And Meaning: Letting Go, Burning Bright, and Learning Through Love |url=https://magneticmag.com/2025/05/grow-wings-and-fly-king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-lyrics-and-meaning-letting-go-burning-bright-and-learning-through-love/ |website=magneticmag |date=21 May 2025 |access-date=7 June 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Moderelli |first1=Rob |title=Watch: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Preview 'Phantom Island' with "Grow Wings and Fly" Music Video |url=https://relix.com/news/detail/watch-king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-preview-phantom-island-with-grow-wings-and-fly-music-video/ |website=relix |date=13 May 2025 |access-date=7 June 2025}}
Reception
It has been called a "breezy tune" by Stereogum,{{cite web |last1=Chelosky |first1=Danielle |title=King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – "Grow Wings And Fly" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2307721/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-grow-wings-and-fly/music/ |website=Stereogum |date=13 May 2025 |access-date=13 May 2025}} and Spin magazine said "King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard soar heavenward with the smily, major-key jam 'Grow Wings and Fly'.
Music video
The music video, which was directed by Hayden Somerville, starts with Ambrose Kenny-Smith as a washed up fish-like humanoid, that is then carried into the sea by his band-mates, Cook Craig, Joey Walker, Michael Cavanagh, and Lucas Harwood. Ambrose, now playing a fisherman, reminisces over a photo with him and Stu Mackenzie, and then spends all day battling to reel in and catch his fish-like self, with a ghost of Stu smiling and waving at the end after he succeeds and fish-Ambrose dies. When talking about the music video, Somerville said "There are so many strange and beautiful ways to grow wings and fly, we had a very special time down the coast with the band and our crew, releasing our sea creature — who somehow makes me feel a little ill and completely full of joy at the same time."{{cite web |last1=Redfern |first1=Mark |title=King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Share Video for New Song "Grow Wings and Fly" |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/king_gizzard_the_lizard_wizard_share_video_for_new_song_grow_wings_and_fly/ |website=Under the Radar |access-date=7 June 2025}}