By Shannon Carlin
Nicki Minaj, Jimi Hendrix and Blues Traveler have all released a song called “Freedom,” but, like the music they each play, their take on the word is very, very different. Almost as if it’s not even the same word they’re singing about.
In honor of independence, whether it’s Fourth of July or Bastille Day you celebrate, we have compiled a list of 20 “freedom” songs, all with the one-word title of “Freedom,” but each very different in meaning.
With this list you can find the freedom song that best defines you. If for you freedom is about doing what you please, then you’re a lot like Kenny Chesney. If your idea of freedom is a bit more leftist, we think you’ll prefer Rage Against the Machine’s take on the concept.
Lucky for all those George Michael fans out there he’s got two (2!) songs titled “Freedom” for you to enjoy.
So celebrate your own independence by finding the song that best represents what freedom means to you.
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1. Jimi Hendrix “Freedom”
To Jimi Hendrix, freedom means the right to live so that he can give. That’s what he needs on this 1971 song, so set him free.
“You don’t have to say that you love/ If you don’t mean it/ You’d better believe/ If you need me/ Or you just wanna bleed me/ You’d better stickin’ your dagger in someone else”
2. Rage Against the Machine “Freedom”
To Rage Against the Machine freedom is akin to anger, which is a gift in Zach De La Rocha’s opinion. Their 1994 song focuses on those who have been locked in prison for crimes they did not commit, while the video specifically looks at Leonard Peltier, the American Indian Movement leader and activist who was sentenced to life in jail for first degree murder after being found guilty of shooting two FBI agents in 1975 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Many believe the now 70-year-old activist was framed.
“With poetry I paint the pictures that hit/ More like the murals that fit/ Don’t turn away/ Get in front of it”
3. Nicki Minaj “Freedom”
To Nicki Minaj, freedom is the feeling you get when you’re at the top of your game, but everyone seems to be hating on you for it. Minaj doesn’t seem to mind though, using nearly five minutes to spit venom at jealous b—-es while reflecting on her own past. She’s come a long way, baby.
“And if you are my rival, then that means you’re suicidal/ And if you in the club then it’s a Young Money recital/ I’m just that vital/ I’m busy, never idle/I’m ya idol, I’m ya idol, I’m ya mothaf—–‘ idol”
4. George Michael “Freedom”
To George Michael, freedom is finally being yourself, no matter who that is. In 1990, a leather jacket-wearing Michael was ready to reintroduce himself as a solo singer and an out and proud gay man and definitely didn’t care what anybody thought about it.
“I think there’s something you should know/ I think it’s time I told you so/ There’s something deep inside of me/ There’s someone else I’ve got to be”
5. Kenny Chesney “Freedom”
To Kenny Chesney, freedom is the power to do what one pleases. As Chesney learns on this ballad, through the joy and pain that living brings, it’s what everyone, from the country singer to the U.S. soldier, wants.
“It’s what the junkie needs that the needle can’t give/ The oppressed and forgotten are praying for it/ It’s what the brave and courageous are fightin’ for/ An open sail on a distant shore”
6. Akon “Freedom”
To Akon, freedom is an endless fight. With a little Auto-Tune and some marching band drums, the Senegalese-American singer tells his life story, from his mistakes to his wins, and celebrates how far he’s come thanks to his family.
“If you wanna be free, from all your misery/ Put your hands up, put your hands up”
7. Richie Havens “Freedom”
To Richie Havens, freedom is a word that can take hold of you at any moment. With nothing left to play during his set at Woodstock, Havens created this song completely spur of the moment, saying it was the word he kept hearing while looking out into the crowd. Chanting the word over and over while banging on his conga drum, he eventually started singing “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” a gospel song he had heard in church as a child, making it feel like this song was intended for the peace and love festival.
“I got a telephone in my bosom/ And I can call him up from my heart”
8. Anthony Hamilton & Elayna Boyton “Freedom”
To Anthony Hamilton and Elayna Boyton, freedom is something worth fighting for, no matter the cost. And this modern day spiritual off the Django Unchained soundtrack makes it clear, it could cost you everything.
“Life hasn’t been very kind to me lately/ But I suppose it’s a push for moving on/ In time the sun’s gonna shine on me nicely/ One day yeah/ Something tells me good things are coming and I ain’t gonna not believe”
9. Paul McCartney “Freedom”
To Paul McCartney, freedom is a right given by God. That’s what he was talking about in the wake of 9/11, writing this song, which features Eric Clapton on guitar, to make it clear, he would fight for his right to freedom and that we should too.
“Anyone tries to take it away/ They’ll have to answer/ ‘Cause this is my right”
10. Rebecca Ferguson “Freedom”
To Rebecca Ferguson, freedom is the sound of peace. In this ballad she pulls at the heartstrings, singing about those who’ve been knocked down but got back up again.
“There is hope/ Even as the tears fall on my lips/ Even as I take another sip/ And cough from all I’ve smoked the night before/ I didn’t lose the war”
11. Wham! “Freedom”
To Wham!, freedom is the thing they don’t want to take away from you. George Michael sings about part-time love bringing him down and not wanting to oppress the one he’s with because he just wants her love. As we already know, by 1990 freedom would mean something entirely different to Michael. Though the melody of this song would become the introduction to his solo track “Faith.”
“I don’t need your freedom/ Girl all I want right now is you”
12. David Gray “Freedom”
To David Gray, freedom has nothing to do with running away but is about honesty. On this sweet ballad, Gray sings about taking vows that he shouldn’t have taken and finally realizes that the truth will set him free: he has to leave her.
“It’s time to clean these boots/ Fold up these parachutes/ The words goodbye but I can’t say it/ The end is close at hand I think we understand/ There ain’t no use trying to delay”
13. Tegan and Sara “Freedom”
To Tegan and Sara, freedom is the ability to walk out if they drag you down and raise your voice when they try to silence you. Before these twin sisters were pop, they were Ani Defranco-loving folkies who were jamming about the world’s problems, specifically about how the world was bringing them down. But they knew to be free, they had to get back up again.
“So they’re looking for a new face/ With a voice to go along/ I can tell you right now that ain’t my style/ I don’t do no sing alongs”
14. Afrojack & D-Wayne feat. Jack McManus “Freedom”
To Afrojack, freedom means to be able to dance like nobody’s watching. Since this song has so few words, just a lot of bass dropping, we think this is a safe assumption.
“Caught in the last line/ With you tonight/ Falling to the other side/ And it feels/ And it feels/ Alright”
15. Pharrell – “Freedom!”
To Pharrell, freedom is what is in every molecule in this universe, from the spiritual on up.
Man’s red flower/ It’s in every living thing/ Mind, use your power/ Spirit, use your wings/ Freedom!
16. Allen Stone “Freedom”
To Allen Stone, freedom is the feeling he’s got rushing through him. For Stone though, it’s less about patriotism and more about love, which has him wishing he’ll die young, drink up and make love. It’s also got him hitting high notes that are bound to make Justin Timberlake jealous.
“And everyday when I rise/ You break me from my chain/ Supernatural high/ Gets me out my way”
17. Blues Traveler “Freedom”
To Blues Traveler, freedom is something we shouldn’t take for granted. In other words, freedom isn’t free so don’t act like it is. You may have it, but not everyone’s so lucky and don’t think it can’t be taken away.
“Who will I have to fight/ To defend my created right”
18. Sugababes “Freedom”
To the Sugababes, freedom is about being alive and not having a care in the world. For this English pop girl group, it’s all about liberating yourself. Entice the freedom people.
“It’s getting late/ But we’re right on time/ And I wanna be nameless/ For a little while”
19. Clipse “Freedom”
To Clipse, freedom is something good…until it’s not. As Pusha T makes clear on this 2009 track he’s free to write his life in each of his songs, but it sometimes causes pain for others. With freedom, comes responsibility and it’s something King Push takes seriously.
“Speaking my truth in rhyme no matter how bland it is/ A heavy heart lighting that’s just what my ransom is/ All apologies, I bear the cross I wear the blame/ We in the same group but I don’t share my brothers pain”
20. The Isley Brothers “Freedom”
To the Isley Brothers, freedom is the ability to go where you wanna go, live where you wanna live and love who you wanna love. Definitely a beautiful thing.
“When you can laugh when you wanna laugh/ And cry when you wanna cry/ And don’t have to feel ashamed/ Sing the song you wanna sing”
21. Spiritualized “Freedom”
To Spiritualized, freedom is yours if you want it. Simple as that. Though, in this English band’s case, freedom is the catalyst for breaking up.
“But you just don’t know what you need/ I made up my mind to leave you behind/ ‘Cos you just don’t know what you fear”
