John Parr

Songwriter: John Parr

Producer: John Parr

I am an American Airman
My nation's sword and shield
Its sentry and avenger
I live the Airman's creed

First we got integrity
Service before self
Excellence in all we do
We're gonna give 'em hell

'Cross the open sky
The boys are comin' for you now
'Cross the open sky
They'll see those birds in flight
I can see those storm clouds buildin'
I can taste the rain
I can hear those engines roarin'
I can see the plane
Across the open sky
Fly boys fly

I am an American Airman
I am a warrior
I'll never leave a man behind
I will never fail

First we got integrity
Service before self
Excellence in all we do
We're gonna give 'em hell

'Cross the open sky
The boys are comin' for you now
'Cross the open sky
No they won't let you down

They take off from their carriers
Thunder 'cross the ground
The shout goes out for air support
When they hear you cry man down

'Cross the open sky
The boys are comin' for you now
Cross the open sky
No they won't let you down

Engines screaming through the air
I remember
The boys are cheering on the ground
Guns a blazin' lightin' up the sky
People prayin'
Fly, fly boys fly

'Cross the open sky...

John Parr (born 18 November 1952) is a Grammy-nominated English musician, best known for his 1985 US #1 single “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” and for his 1984 single “Naughty Naughty” (US Rock #1). Parr was nominated for a Grammy award for “St Elmo’s Fire” in 1985.

Parr first entered the music scene when he was 12 years old and formed a band with two fellow schoolmates, which they named The Silence. The band had achieved some success. They eventually became professional and started to tour Europe. He then joined a band named Bitter Suite who were a huge success in the working men’s clubs in Yorkshire, he then formed a “Super Band” with musicians from other working men’s club bands, and named the band Ponders End , a band that set a new precedent for the bands in the north.

Parr secured a publishing deal with Carlin America in 1983 and in the same year Meat Loaf asked him to write some songs for his new album. It led to a fateful meeting with John Wolff, who was tour manager for The Who. Foreseeing the initial demise of The Who, Wolff was looking for a new venture and considered Parr to be a suitable partner. Parr first visited America in 1984 and worked with Meat Loaf on Bad Attitude. Meanwhile, Wolff secured Parr’s solo Atlantic recording deal in New York.

more tracks from the album

The Mission

From the album

The Mission (2012)

John Parr popular songs

Fly Boys FlyJohn Parr

John Parr

The Mission