Learning to Fly
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Cover by: Redah
“I wanted to put a unique spin on this iconic song by Tom Petty, aiming to create a cover that no one else has thought of before. Using an ambient felt piano, acoustic guitars, mandolin, percussion, live cello by Jean Paul Barjon and ambient vocal pads, I set out to craft an ethereal soundscape for this reimagined version. I enlisted Redah for the lead vocals, and together we provided all the background harmonies, with his voice perfectly complementing this majestic adaptation.
Chris Barry did a fantastic job creating a captivating lyric video to showcase this reimagined cover.” - Robert Etoll
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"Learning to Fly" (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) Cover for TV & Film | Robert Etoll Productions
"Learning to Fly" comes with those instantly familiar guitar riffs from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' 1991 classic, only this time, imagined as a sincere male vocal cover sung by Redah. While the original song has a straightforward rock arrangement and embodied the heart of American heartland music, our male cover pulls all of that emotional recognition from the familiar Tom Petty sound and puts it into an ethereal soundscape, with ambient felt piano, acoustic guitars, mandolin, and live cello, making it very unique, first of its kind version in its expression.
About Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers & “Learning to Fly”
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were founded in 1976 in Gainesville, Florida. They made a brand of rock music that became synonymous with American culture. They were always expanding the boundaries of rock, folk, and country music. Petty, with his songwriting based on passion, and the band, with inspired creativity and synergy, produced classics that have transcended decades and generations. Petty's songs have been very flexible for re-imaginings in today's music culture.
"Learning to Fly" is off of the 1991 album, Into the Great Wide Open, and the song is co-written by Petty and Jeff Lynne. The lyrics have a simple power, marrying the Heartbreakers' American vernacular to Lynne's clean, crisp production. This song's themes of hope, resiliency, and personal transformation are universal. The construction of the song lends itself to being covered by contemporary male vocalists. “Learning to Fly” became one of Tom Petty’s most successful songs, climbing to #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining an essential part of classic rock radio playlists.
Why Choose Our Cover?
Robert Etoll Productions rediscovers Tom Petty's song as an ambient, cinematic experience, with Redah's expressive male lead vocals, turning heartland rock into ethereal sophistication. Layered felt piano, acoustic guitar, mandolin, live cello by Jean Paul Barjon, and airy vocal pads, with background harmonies from Redah and Robert, add warmth and depth while preserving Petty's themes of transformation. The result is a wholly unique sonic perspective that breathes new life into this classic song.
For film, tv and trailers, its perfect for inspirational montages, coming-of-age stories, notions of personal discovery, and moments of nostalgia. This cover is an excellent choice for streaming and broadcast content, drama series, or reflective cinematic moments. Its ambient textures, ethereal instrumentation, and cinematic depth make it a versatile tool for storytellers seeking emotional resonance and instant audience recognition. And for commercial advertising, its a great fit for brands focusing on growth, transformation, and aspiration, including luxury travel, personal development, technology and automotive campaigns. And especially, any airlines or Airforce recruitment ad campaigns. The arrangement provides emotional weight that suits storytelling-based advertising and fosters personal connections through brand associations. Its ideal for brands seeking a heartfelt, inspirational tone.
Ready to License?
Contact Robert Etoll Productions at covers@robertetollproductions.com for licensing inquiries, and to discover how “Learning to Fly” can add inspiring depth and instant recognition to your commercial, film, or television projects. Our catalog of professionally produced, heartfelt male vocal covers, offer versions of songs, reimagined for today’s media.