Note: this page is not yet finished due to the developing nature of this song.
One of the standout moments of Butterfly 3000 is the track “Shanghai.” The upbeat synth-led song focused on the process of becoming a better person through experience, allegorically connected to the life cycle of a butterfly. It was inspired by a heated, Jäger-fueled fight over hot pot in the titular city which led the band to a better understanding of themselves. However the experience “Shanghai” refers to could be anything. So many different events in our lives can cause us to change. It’s only natural that the band would continue to talk about this transformative process with four years of changes in their own lives.
“Grow Wings and Fly” is essentially the spiritual successor to “Shanghai,” even referencing the track in its first lyrics. The song, divided into three sections, tackles Stu, Joey and Ambrose’s perspective on personal growth with wondrous orchestration. Stu’s section goes through his feelings on love and how being loved has caused him to take risks. Joey’s section focuses on a “duckling” learning to fly and how that process helped him grow. Ambrose’s section is about liberating oneself from their troubles and overcoming self doubt. Beyond the song’s main themes, it also includes a few connections to The Silver Cord with references to “Swan Song” and “Extinction.”
The roots of this song go all the way back to a performance of “Shanghai” on 2023-03-11. During the extended jam Stu began to recite a number of phrases that weren’t in the original track like “let’s get real high” and “let’s eat apple pie.” As the band continued to perform the song throughout the year these improvisational lyrics continued to appear, becoming a staple part of the track. These lyrics would be developed into “Grow Wings and Fly.”
The studio version was performed by Ambrose (piano/vocals), Cavs (drums/percussion), Cook (bass/vocals), Joey (guitar/vocals), Lucas (bass) and Stu (guitar/vocals). Sam Joseph recorded the band at Gizz HQ and also contributed pedal steel as he had on Flight b741. The orchestra consisted of Wendy Clarke (flute), Lachlan Davidson (flute), Natasha Fearnside (clarinet), Matthew Kneale (bassoon), Madeleine Jevons (violin/concert master), Jos Jonker (violin), Miranda Matheson (violin), Ruby Paska (violin), Josephine Chung (violin), Merewyn Bramble (viola), Karen Columbine (viola), Gemma Kneale (cello) and Paul Zabrowarny (cello).
While there had been some speculation that these were part of a larger song, theories sprung up again as the band made their way through America in 2024. At these shows, Stu settled on a heartfelt passage with lyrics taking specific placements compared to prior performances. However the band also teased Joey and Ambrose’s sections such as during “Hot Water” on 2024-08-27 and “Shanghai” on 2024-11-08. “Grow Wings and Fly” wouldn’t seen any sort of official documentation until the band’s marathon show at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater in Austin on 2024-11-15. During a performance of “Shanghai,” Stu and Joey switched to guitar to jam with Stu providing the lyrics before Joey and Ambrose’s verses. After the show fans got a hold of the setlist which noted the lyrics as part of a completely separate track, something which is not typically done for any other songs that the band may quote within their shows. This separation carried over onto the show’s bootleg Live in Austin ‘24 where it appeared with the title “Grow Wings and Fly…” It reappeared a few days later on 2024-11-17 and would appear on the show’s bootleg like Austin’s performance did.
The band confirmed the song’s place on Phantom Island on April 9th, 2025 and showcased a section of the studio version on April 15th. Unlike the live versions before it, the studio version doesn’t have the ellipsis.
The music video for “Grow Wings and Fly” was first teased on April 22nd when they posted a photo of Ambrose in VFX makeup to their Instagram story. The band gave another look behind the scenes at the very end of the p(doom) newsletter on the 29th, once again showing Ambrose in VFX makeup. Over twenty five different behind the scenes photos were shared from May 8th to May 13th through King Gizzard’s, p(doom)’s and Ambrose’s Instagram stories. “Grow Wings and Fly” was released on the 13th alongside a single.
The video starts with a fish-man (played by Ambrose, referred to as “Gillbrose”) being carried to the Bass Strait by four marine biologists (Cavs, Cook, Joey and Lucas). Joey serenades him in the water before letting Ambrose swim away. We then cut to a fisherman (once again played by Ambrose) heading into the wilderness with his gear. As he ties his hook onto the line he reminisces about an old friend of his (played by Stu). The fisherman casts his line and catches the fish-man (with occasional cuts to Joey playing a PureSalem Classic Creep). As it lays on the ground, the fisherman looks up and sees the ghost of his friend in the water. Based on a post by Ambrose, the fish-man dies.
“Grow Wings and Fly” was directed by Hayden Somerville, who had previously directed the music video for the Murlocs song “Queen Pinky.” He said that he saw a story within the song and kept picturing gills. While this might seem strange for a song focused on wings, he said in a press release that “there are so many strange and beautiful ways to grow wings and fly.” A lot of hard work went into making sure Gillbrose was right as prosthetics designer Emily Stacey and costume designer Steph Hooke had to make everything waterproof. In the end the shoot, partially done at Kennon Cove Beach, went well. “We had a very special time down the coast with the band and our crew, releasing our sea creature — who somehow makes me feel a little ill and completely full of joy at the same time.”