Between the albums ‘Standing on the Edge” and “The Doctor”, Cheap Trick were asked to do a song on an upcoming movie starring this two-bit actor named Tom Cruise. The movie was ‘Top Gun’ and would blow up the silverscreen and was a massive hit. What also was a massive hit was the soundtrack to that movie. What a line-up of who was big in the 80’s. You get Kenny Loggins, Loverboy, Berlin, Miami Sound Machine and Teena Marie to name most of the artist.
Cheap Trick were asked to do the song “Might Wings” which was written by Mark Spiro and Harold Faltermeyer who also produced the soundtrack. The song was the third single off the soundtrack and the only one to not chart which is a big surprise to me as it was my favorite song on the soundtrack. The song appeared in the movie twice. First as an instrumental piece during the scene first training session at Mirimar and then the full version of the track was played during the end credits.
A-SIDE:
“Mighty Wings” was a pure 80’s rocker full of power chords, sweeping vocals, synthesizers and an intensity that lived up to the feeling of the movie. It is one of the heaviest songs I have heard the band do and Robin’s vocals were picture perfect. It was a high energy, cheesy song that is so full of the 80’s it is almost comical, but it is also so brilliant, exciting and fun and will always be a favorite of mine. I especially love Bun E. Carlos as he is ripping it on the drums. A very powerful performance and the most rocking he has done. So what they didn’t write it and it is not like much of anything they’ve done before but it still so good and Robin hasn’t sounded better (who am I kidding, he has but still this is good). A mindless romp that brings back good memories of a movie I loved and that is all that matters.
B-SIDE:
The B-Side is another Harold Faltermeyer song called “Dog Fight #3” which I assume is played during the scene that had the 3rd Dog Fight in it. I’m just guessing here. It is an instrumental piece and think Miami Vice by Jan Hammer but no where near as good. It sounds like a boring dog fight and no real big sweeping moments that would make me think this was an intense, dramatic scene. It sounds more like one plane is sneaking up on another but no fighting is happening. The cool thing about it is I don’t think this is on the Soundtrack so it is a nice plus to have even if it isn’t that exciting of a song. By the way, Harold is the gentlemen that did the song “Axel F” from the Beverly Hills Soundtrack so you know he can do a good synthesizer based instrumental.
And there you have a nice little treat from my Cheap Trick Collection. We will get back to the albums on the next post.
UP NEXT: ‘THE DOCTOR’ (1986)
The Cheap Trick Collection Series:
- Cheap Trick (1977)
- In Color (1977)
- Heaven Tonight (1978)
- Cheap Trick at Budokan (1978)
- Dream Police (1979)
- Found All The Parts (1980)
- All Shook Up (1980)
- One On One (1982)
- Next Position Please (1983)
- Standing on the Edge (1985)
- “Tonight It’s You” (1985) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- “Mighty Wings” (1986) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
2 Loud 2 Old Music 
gonna raise hell, gonna raise hell. It’s a good song but less good than some classics like dream police, surrender and I want you to want me in my opinion.
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Nope, not as good as their classics, but I do like it a lot.
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I know of this tune but I didn’t realize CT did not write it. Guess this might have something to do by the time the band got around to doing The Flame in regards to working with outside writers. Crazy that it didn’t chart but thats the music biz.
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I didn’t realize they didn’t write it either until I researched the song for the post. Cool track though and was one of my favorites off that soundtrack.
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I never really got into this tune but I have the Top Gun soundtrack in the collection so I can say I have it.
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That qualifies as you having it!!
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It is the only time Kenny Loggins out did Cheap Trick!
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That is true!!
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It’s not their best song, but it fits the movie so well. I had no idea that the band didn’t write the song. I have the soundtrack, though I likely forgot what I read in the liner notes. Would I be correct in saying this song doesn’t fit their their style? My favourite song off the soundtrack is the anthem. Steve Stevens came up with such a memorable and melodic riff.
Thinking back, I can see the song fitting the Iron Eagle movie. That’s another good soundtrack from the era – Dio, Queen, Helix, Eric Martin.
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I don’t think I knew they didn’t write until i did this post. The 80’s had some great soundtracks and yes, i loved that Iron Eagle soundtrack. One of my favs!!
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Ah, ‘Top Gun,’ the movie that’s so good that they’re releasing a sequel to it over 35 years later lol.
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And the sequel must be so good because it was supposed to come out over 2 years ago and keeps getting pushed back.
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LOL!!!!!
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Top Gun was a big movie for us, when we were kids. As boys we liked the fighter jets and, unconsciously, soaked up the tidal wave of testosterone. Of course, girls rewound and watched the volleyball scene until the tape wore out, but that’s their lookout. But of course we had the soundtrack on cassette, and I still have a CD of it here. A cornerstone of the formative years. Cool 45!
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What beach volley ball scene?? I must’ve gone to get popcorn. I just remember the dog fighting.
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Haha I just remember the girls in university residence watching that scene over and over, years after the movie came out lol
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Cool song. I read in a mag that artists got paid up to $100K to do these kind of soundtrack songs.
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Can’t blame any artist for doing a soundtrack if that is the going rate.
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