Flying Horses

Album: Silent Steeples (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Flying Horses is a carousel on Martha's Vineyard, an island off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. On the carousel there are two dispensers in which you can grab rings from. In one round you can grab dozens of rings and if you get the brass ring, you get a free ride. In the song, he stole one of these rings and now it's old and rusty. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Derek - Boston, MA

Comments: 9

  • Tony from 80126Wow! I thought it was just me that this song reminded me of Martha's Vinyard. Besides the rings in the carousel in town, the 'girl with the most beautiful hair that wraps around her for clothes she did not wear.' makes me think of the nude beach at Gay Head beach.
  • Derek from ConnecticutI've always felt it was a metaphor for appreciating the beauty around us without having to seize it for yourself, the ring became rusty , stone lost, and the hair flew away, etc.
  • Annie from Sagamore Beach, MaI stole a couple of rings from the flying horses in Martha's Vineyard as well. I, too, wondered if it was the same flying horses as in this song.
  • Sean from Sandwich, Mai went to the flying horses today. great place. America's oldest carousel. great great song.
  • Noblelaureat from Anysignificanttown, InHmm, I'm seeing a wind in the willows influence to be quite honest..badger, one-eyed toad, "wise old look of the old," honestly? Definitely one influence...
  • Dean Beaver from Glens Falls, NyDude, obviously the song involves more that brass rings from a carousel. Its a song about love lost as well.
  • Ryan from Philly, Pathere is actually a couple of these carousels around the US. i have been to one in San Diego
  • Kevin from Mansfield, CtI think this song has to do with catcher in the rye.Because in the catcher in the rye the child grabs the ring off of the carousel and this sybolizes their growing up because they cant be controlled by their parents. Catcher in the rye is all about how a boy doesnt want to grow up and he wants to catch the kids going off the hill to adult hill.
  • Nick from Pepperell, MaHey, i love this song. I've actually been to the flying horses carosel on Martha's Vineyard quite a few times. I always wondered if thats what the song was about.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?