My Gen X Playlist: Fly Away – Lenny Kravitz

Having played sports growing up, there is a long list of athletes that I enjoyed watching and admire. There are so many to choose to write about, there is so much talent in each sport. One athlete that came to mind is not widely known, but I remember being in awe of his ability to fly.

Rick Noji was a high jumper from the Pacific Northwest. He was an All American at the University of Washington, competed in three World Championships and eventually retired from competition in 1996. I once watched him high jump at a height completely over his head. His form as he sailed over the bar was so graceful, it was poetic. What made it so amazing was he only stood 5’8” tall and was able to jump well over 7 feet high. His personal record was 7’7”, almost two feet over his head. Keep in mind, this entailed clearing his entire body over the bar. For context, when Noji eventually retired in 1996, the world record was 8’0” and the Olympic record was 7’10”. Not too far off – he definitely was world class. He was ranked second of all time for jumping a height over his head. I can’t imagine being able to fly like that. He defied gravity and was truly amazing to watch.

I wonder what music Noji listened to before competition. Maybe Lenny Kravitz’s Fly Away?

I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly

– Fly Away

I have problems jumping over the cracks on the sidewalk. I wonder how it feels to fly?

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly

I'd fly above the trees
Over the seas in all degrees
To anywhere I please, oh

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Let's go and see the stars
The Milky Way or even Mars
Where it could just be ours

Let's fade into the sun
Let your spirit fly
Where we are one
Just for a little fun
Oh, oh, oh yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah

I got to get away (get away, get away)
Girl, I got to get away (get away, get away)
Oh, oh, oh yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah (with you), yeah, yeah (oh yeah)

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah (with you) yeah, yeah
I got to get away

I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away, yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah (with you) yeah, yeah
Oh girl, I got to get away

I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away, yeah

I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah (with you) yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah