I Believe I Can Fly
R. Kelly
1997
Annual listening-list association, not an original-release-date field. Original release year reconciled with reviewed recording-specific Artist Essentials evidence in v3.6.
Release: 1996
Release: 1996Source checked | Recent carryover
V3.6 reconciles the original release year with the reviewed Artist Essentials entry for this exact retained recording ID. Year precision is used; an album-first release is not silently replaced by a later single, reissue or annual-list year. The original soundtrack and label history establish 1996. The 1998 R. album is a later placement of the recording, and the anthology radio edit is separately labeled. Only the original year is assigned.
The large badge identifies this listening list, not a newly issued recording. Later reissues and renewed chart popularity do not replace an original release date. How years are assigned.
Owner-supplied release annotations
Reported dates in 1996.html, 1996.html, 1997.html. Not independently established; neighboring dates can reflect album/single or regional differences.
Space Jam - original 1996 soundtrack program
The original fourteen-track soundtrack program includes I Believe I Can Fly in 1996. Its subsequent 1998 R. album placement is a later event, not the first release of this recording.
Rhino - original Space Jam soundtrack and 2021 reissue distinction
The label identifies the original soundtrack as a 1996 release and specifically names R. Kellys I Believe I Can Fly among its recordings. The 2021 vinyl edition is explicitly a later reissue; no sales or chart claims are used.
Inspiration and background
Supplied note - not independently verified
This note came with the supplied collection and has not been independently verified.
Written for the movie "Space Jam," the song is about self-belief and achieving one's dreams.
Evidence scope: Source-provided note, not an established account of the songwriter's intent
Sources for this information
Owner-supplied 1997.html, song-list position 6
Supplied annotation reproduced with attribution; underlying historical claims have NOT been independently verified.
Other appearances and versions
catalog version unspecified
Textual identity reconciliation, not audio-fingerprint or exact-pressing verification. Version labels are catalog safeguards.
An annual chart year and an original release date are different. Similar titles may be covers or different masters; no audio fingerprint has been performed.
Sources and scope
Source-backed annual association (secondary source; not a complete discographic review)
Editorial artist-repertoire classification
Billboard year-end 1997 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription reviewed for title, artist and annual association. Not proof of release date, genre or inspiration.
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.