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"Freedom"
FreedomUS
Song Details
Album (track #) The Cry of Love ({{{number}}})
Length 3:24
Writer(s) Jimi Hendrix
Recorded January 23rd and February 16th, 1970
June 25th, 1970
Studio(s) Record Plant Studios
Electric Lady Studios
First live performance April 25th, 1970
Last live performance September 6th, 1970
Single Details
Released 1971
Publisher(s) Template:CANflag US: Reprise
JAP: Polydor
B-side(s) "Angel"
Charts None
Jimi Hendrix Wiki rating
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"Freedom" is a song by Jimi Hendrix, originally released on heis 1971 posthumous album The Cry of Love. The song was written by Hendrix and recorded at Electric Lady Studios on June 25th, 1970[1][2] with drummer Mitch Mitchell, bassist Billy Cox (The Cry of Love), percussionist Juma Sultan, and guest backing vocalists Arthur and Albert Allen.[3]

"Freedom" was released posthumously as a single in the United States, Canada and Japan on March 8th 1971, and was backed with "Angel".[4] The song also featured as the B-side to the German "Angel" single, also released in March 1971.

History[]

Analysis[]

Meaning[]

"Freedom" refers largely to Devon Wilson, metaphorising her as a restriction on personal freedom.[5] Despite this negative connotation, Wilson is also saluted as a useful person to have around, in that she gets rid of unwanted/extra women ("you've hooked my girlfriend") and has useful connections ("you know the drugstore man"). The song can be considered the second half of "Dolly Dagger", as both songs refer to Wilson and her character, and they also show Jimi's growing dislike of electronic studio tricks and his favouring of instrumentally complex arrangements.[5] Both songs also feature backing vocals from Arthur and Albert Allen. It also can be tied to the African American struggle of the early 1900's.

Style[]

Live[]

Lyrics[]

Lyrics in (brackets) are backing vocals.

You got my pride,
Hangin' outta my bed.
You messin' with my life,
So I bought my lead.
You even messin' with my children,
And you're screamin' at my wife, baby.
Get off of my back,
If you wanna get outta here alive.

(Freedom,)
Freedom,
(Give it to me.)
That's what I want now.
(Freedom,)
Freedom,
(Give it to me.)
That's what I need now.
(Freedom,)
Freedom,
(Give it to me.)
To live.
(Freedom,)
Freedom,
(Give it to me.)
So I can give.

You got my heart,
Speak electric water.
You got my soul,
Screamin' and howlin'.
You know you hook my girlfriend,
You know the drugstore man.
But I don't need it now,
I was tryin' to slap it out of her hand.

(Freedom,)
Freedom,
(Give it to me.)
So I can live.
(Freedom,)
Freedom,
(Give it to me.)
So I can give.
(Freedom,)
Freedom,
(Give it to me.)
Yea-eah!
(Freedom,)
Freedom,
(Give it to me.)
That's what I need.

You don't have to
Say that you love me.
If you don't mean it,
You better believe.
If you need me,
Or you just wanna please me,
You better stick in your dagger someone else,
So I can leave!
(Set me free!)

Yeah!

Right on,
Straight ahead.
Straight up, yeah.
Straight ahead, freedom,
So I can live, baby.
Freedom,
So, girl, I can give, baby.
Freedom,
(Keep on pushing,)
So I can leave.
(Straight ahead.)
Freedom.
(Keep on pushing,)
(Straight ahead.)
(Keep on pushing,)
(Straight ahead.)
(Keep on pushing.)

Appearances[]

Studio albums[]

Compilation albums[]

  • 1997: First Rays of the New Rising Sun

Track listing[]

Side A[]

  1. "Freedom" – 3:24

Side B[]

  1. "Angel" – 4:25

Credits[]

  • Jimi Hendrix – guitars, lead vocals
  • Billy Cox – bass guitar
  • Mitch Mitchell – drums
  • Juma Sultan – congas
  • Arthur Allen – backing vocals
  • Albert Allen – backing vocals
  • Unknown (possibly Hendrix) – piano

Release details[]

Country
Date
Format
Record label
Catalogue
number
Sources
CAN Canada 1971 Vinyl Reprise 1000 [6]
JAP Japan 1971 Vinyl Polydor DP 1804 [7][8][9]
US United States 1971 Vinyl Reprise 1000 [10]

Gallery of artwork[]

Cover versions[]

References[]

  1. June 25, 1970. The Jimi Hendrix Encyclopedia. JimiHendrix.com. Retrieved on June 29th, 2008.
  2. Foley, Randy. Jimi Hendrix Recording Chronology. Rockmine.com. Retrieved on June 28th, 2008.
  3. Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Caesar [September 17th, 1990] (August 15th, 1995). "Appendix 1: Music, Sweet Music: The Discography", Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy, 2nd Edition, New York: St. Martin's Griffin, p. 537. ISBN 978-0-312-13062-6.
  4. Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Caesar [September 17th, 1990] (August 15th, 1995). "Appendix 1: Music, Sweet Music: The Discography", Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy, 2nd Edition, New York: St. Martin's Griffin, p. 538. ISBN 978-0-312-13062-6.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Caesar [September 17th, 1990] (August 15th, 1995). "Chapter Thirteen: New Rising Sun", Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy, 2nd Edition, New York: St. Martin's Griffin, pp. 436-437. ISBN 978-0-312-13062-6.
  6. Jimi Hendrix Freedom Canada 7" RECORD (347983). eil. Retrieved on June 1st, 2008.
  7. Jimi Hendrix Freedom Japan 7" RECORD (214387). eil. Retrieved on June 1st, 2008.
  8. Jimi Hendrix Freedom Japan Promo 7" RECORD (319293). eil. Retrieved on June 1st, 2008.
  9. Jimi Hendrix Freedom/Angel Japan Promo 7" RECORD (255017). eil. Retrieved on June 1st, 2008.
  10. Jimi Hendrix Freedom USA Promo 7" RECORD (333695). eil. Retrieved on June 1st, 2008.
  11. Song: Freedom - The Jeff Healey Band. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 29th, 2008.
  12. Song: Freedom - Glenn Hughes. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 29th, 2008.

Links[]

Navigation[]

Template:COL

First Rays of the New Rising Sun

1. "Freedom" • 2. "Izabella" • 3. "Night Bird Flying" • 4. "Angel" • 5. "Room Full of Mirrors" • 6. "Dolly Dagger" • 7. "Ezy Ryder" 8. "Drifting" • 9. "Beginnings" • 10. "Stepping Stone" • 11. "My Friend" 12. "Straight Ahead" • 13. "Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)" 14. "Earth Blues" • 15. "Astro Man" • 16. "In From the Storm" • 17. "Belly Button Window"

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