On Silent Wings

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"On Silent Wings"
Single by Tina Turner featuring Sting
from the album Wildest Dreams
B-side"Do Something"
ReleasedMay 27, 1996 (1996-05-27)[1]
Length4:22
LabelVirgin, Parlophone
Songwriter(s)Tony Joe White, James Ralston
Producer(s)Trevor Horn
Tina Turner singles chronology
"Whatever You Want"
(1996)
"On Silent Wings"
(1996)
"Missing You"
(1996)
Sting singles chronology
"I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying"
(1996)
"On Silent Wings"
(1997)
"I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying (with Toby Keith)"
(1997)
Music video
"On Silent Wings" on YouTube

"On Silent Wings" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tina Turner with guest vocals from English musician Sting. Released in May 1996 in support of Turner's ninth album, Wildest Dreams (1996), the single performed well on the US and Canadian adult contemporary charts, peaking at numbers 24 and 13 respectively. The dance version of "On Silent Wings", remixed by Soul Solution, charted at number 47 on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart. Like much of Turner's later work, "On Silent Wings" enjoyed greater success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.

The single included the country-flavoured single edit with additional guitar overdubs, later appearing on the 2004 compilation All the Best, as well as a second alternative version of the track. Some formats also featured the non-album track "Do Something", written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman and produced by Trevor Horn.

Critical reception[edit]

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "On the eve of La Tina's first stateside concert tour in eons, Virgin plucks one of the strongest and more radio-friendly tunes from the diva's gorgeous (and sadly underappreciated) current disc, Wildest Dreams. Her worldly perspective adds depth to the lyrics of this melancholy rock ballad, which also shows producer Trevor Horn tempering his signature melodramatic keyboard sound with subtle acoustic strumming that never distracts the ear from Turner. Additional programming incentive comes from a laid-back cameo by Sting, though this lovely single would merit the ardent attention of pop, triple-A, and even mainstream rock radio without such stunt casting."[2]

Music video[edit]

The accompanying music video released to support the single featured Turner standing on the edge of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa in a white dress interspersed with live performance clips. The video showcases the concert held at Newlands Cricket Stadium, Noordehoek Beach, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain, the eight wonder of the world.

Track listings[edit]

Charts[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Tina Turner – On Silent Wings" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry (April 19, 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 89. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  3. ^ On Silent Wings (UK CD1 liner notes). Tina Turner. Parlophone. 1996. CDRS 6434, 7243 8 82905 2 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ On Silent Wings (UK cassette single sleeve). Tina Turner. Parlophone. 1996. TCR 6434, 7243 8 82904 4 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ On Silent Wings (UK CD2 liner notes). Tina Turner. Parlophone. 1996. 7243 8 82906 2 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ On Silent Wings (European CD single liner notes). Tina Turner. Parlophone. 1996. 7243 8 82897 2 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ On Silent Wings (Australian CD single liner notes). Tina Turner. Festival Records. 1996. D1358.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ "Tina Turner – On Silent Wings" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "Tina Turner – On Silent Wings" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  10. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3261." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  11. ^ "The Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. June 15, 1996. Archived from the original on March 11, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  12. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 32. August 10, 1996. p. 13. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  13. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 171 Vikuna 25.5. – 30.5. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). May 25, 1996. p. 26. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  14. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 25, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  15. ^ "Tina Turner – On Silent Wings" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  16. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  18. ^ "Tina Turner Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  19. ^ "Tina Turner Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  20. ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 15, 1997. Retrieved October 7, 2015.