11 Songs Where Free 🆓 is Key 🔑 | Playlist 🎧

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‘11 Songs Where Free 🆓 is Key 🔑, features music courtesy of Drake, G-Eazy, Kygo, Lady Gaga and Louis the Child.

“Well, your left hand’s free / And your right’s in a grip / With another left hand / Watch his right hand slip / Towards his gun / Oh, no.” Well, alt-J, “Left Hand Free” doesn’t sound, um like a freeing experience.  Nonetheless, the song is rad.  Years before those freed left hands, Queen informed us, “I Want to break Free” – “God knows, god knows I want to break free.” And last but not least, what about when Sia was a “Bird Set Free”? “I sing for love; I sing for me / I’ll shout it out like a bird set free.”  

11 SONGS WHERE FREE 🆓 IS KEY 🔑 serves as a follow-up to 13 Songs That Exemplify Being Free, which was published July 4, 2019.  “Bird Set Free” actually appeared on that 2019 list.  Similarly, the only requirement for the songs on this edition is that they feature some form of the word ‘free’ in their title. Musicians contributing to the freedom include Drake, G-Eazy, Kygo, Lady Gaga and Louis the Child among others.  Without further ado, lock-in 🔒 the freedom!

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1. G-Eazy, “Free Porn Cheap Drugs”

Everything’s Strange Here • RCA • 2020

“Free Porn Cheap Drugs” marked an about face for G-Eazy.  Not only does he sing, the backdrop (produced by Jesse Ack and Austin Ward) is quite a far cry from a hip-hop backdrop. Truly, Everything’s Strange Here, indeed. Sure, there’s a ‘vibe,’ but it’s alternative rock oriented to the core. What should be appreciated about “Free Porn Cheap Drugs” is the innovative spirit exhibited; it’s a surprising shift. The form isn’t standard, even if it uses a chorus (twice) and one verse.

Also, despite its bold title, lyrically, Eazy is far more conservative than normal:

“This vicious cycle spins and spins
It picks back up where it begins
Is this how the story ends?
Free porn, cheap drugs, and late-night friends...”

What does one make of “Free Porn Cheap Drugs?” Honestly, I’m still not sure! Within the context of an unpredictable, experimental album, it ranks among the better moments.

2. Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Free Bird”

Pronounced’ Leh-‘Nerd ‘Skin-‘Nerd • MCA • 1973

“‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now / And this bird cannot change /… Lord knows, I can’t change.” You can’t be ‘free’ as a music enthusiast and not include “Free Bird” in the listening rotation, right? Damn right! “Free Bird” is one of many timeless classics by the iconic southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. The legendary joint concludes the band’s colorfully titled, 1973 debut, Pronounced’ Leh- ‘Nerd ‘Skin- ‘Nerd.  Worth noting, this particularly album has another classic, “Simple Man”, though we all know that “Free Bird” is the crowning achievement.

At nine minutes and change, Lynyrd Skynyrd had plenty sing and play.  The lyrics, particularly the aforementioned chorus are superb.  “If I leave here tomorrow / Would you still remember me?” is as classic an opening line as you’ll find.  That said, there’s a pretty epic guitar solo, that occurs as the speed accelerates, for the final four-and-a-half-minutes of the record.  It’s a reminder that at one time, rock musicians also jammed TF out without ever singing a note. “FREE BIRD!”

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3. Lady Gaga, “Free Woman”

Chromatica • Interscope • 2020

In the context of Chromatica, how does Lady Gaga follow up a strong trio the likes of “Alice”, “Stupid Love”,  and “Rain on Me”? Well, the answer is with “Free Woman,” which is pretty strong in its own right.  With Chromatica reestablishing Gaga as an elite, dance-pop queen, listening to “Free Woman, you’ll want to keep those dance shoes on. Why? Well, she breaks out those house music vibes and there’s simply NO WAY you’ll eschew dancing.

More important than dancing and the lit house sound is the message of female empowerment.  Furthering the empowerment are assertive pipes by Lady G to match:

“I’m not nothing without a steady hand
I’m not nothing unless I know I can
I’m still something if I don’t got a man
I’m a free woman.”

Fkn slay queen!

4. Fantasia, “Free Yourself”

Ft. Missy Elliott

Free Yourself • 19 Recordings • 2004

“If you don’t want me, then don’t talk to me / Go ahead and free yourself.”  On 13 Songs That Exemplify Being Free, I used this Fantasia quote from “Free Yourself” to introduce the list.  The thing is, the Grammy-nominated “Free Yourself” from Free Yourself, the platinum-certified, 2004 debut album by the eventual Grammy-winning artist, deserves its own write-up.  What ‘Tasia tells him is simple, but I’mma break it down even more: Don’t want me? GTFO.

Of course, Fantasia is far more nuanced than my blunt breakdown on this classy, silky smooth ballad, produced by Craig Brockman and Missy Elliott.  Besides writing and producing “Free Yourself,” Elliott also provides backing vocals alongside a then, unknown Jazmine Sullivan (this was 2004 after all).  The big takeaway are Fantasia’s gorgeous, soulful pipes as she not only encourages him to ‘free himself,’ but she also seems to be ‘freeing herself’ of utterly needless bull💩. She says it best, with the help of her backing vocals, asserting, “Time and time again I tried it over and over and over / But the love I had inside has died.”

5. Louis the Child & Drew Love, “Free”

Here for Now • Interscope • 2020

Okay, after some smooth, heartfelt R&B, how about some more dance-pop? Lady Gaga already confirmed her status as a “Free Woman”. Chicago DJ duo Louis the Child (Robby Hauldren and Freddy Kennett) taps R&B singer Drew Love for “Free.” “Free” actually arrived as a single in 2019. Louis the Child’s album, Here for Now, didn’t arrive until 2020, with “Free” appearing as the 12^th track.

Drew Love sounds absolutely amazing over the colorful, electro-pop backdrop, singing about a break-up (“Don’t understand how you could wake up one day and just walk away”).  He remains smooth and expressive, painting the canvas with his gorgeous, nuanced instrument. His best moments arguably occur on the simplest portion of the song – the chorus (“At least you’re free”).  As for Louis the Child, they kill it where the production is concerned.  There are warm pads, twinkling piano, rhythmic synths, and an electric groove that appears beginning on the second iteration of the verse and beyond.  The pacing is spot-on.

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6. Drake, “Chicago Freestyle”

Ft. Giveon

Dark Lane Demo Tapes • OVO / Republic • 2020

“Chicago Freestyle” gives Dark Lane Demo Tapes a third consecutive standout.  Dark Lane Demo Tapes, of course, arrived as a second mixtape from rapper/singer Drake post-Scorpion (2018). The compilation has its share of moments, including “Chicago Freestyle.” Of course, the sole reason it appears on 11 SONGS WHERE FREE IS KEY is because of its very loose use of the word ‘free.’  There are lots of freestyles out there, and few of them actually embody the meaning of freedom.  But no need to get really deep here!

The subtle, moody “Chicago Freestyle” features a memorable, low-key chorus by Giveon.  Giveon creates a vibe, something that’s been key to Drizzy’s music for a minute!

“Windy city, she blowin’ me kisses, no
Thirty degrees, way too cold, so hold me tight
Will I see you at the show tonight?”

Drake packs more punch than Giveon, but even so, he doesn’t ‘slaughter’ with biting rhymes.  Again, it’s about vibe, so he’s more calm, cool, and collected.  That’s fine; he’s a grown-@$$ man who’s free to do whatever TF he wants to!

7. Bfb Da Packman, “Free Joe Exotic”

Ft. Sada Baby

“Free Joe Exotic” • The Lunch Crew Company • 2020

“My bitch ‘bout to leave me ‘cause I’m built like Patrick / I nut super quick and I be weighin’ down the mattress…” Well, that should give you an idea of how blunt and unapologetic rapper Bfb Da Packman is. Naturally, with Tiger King being a guilty pleasure during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no way that a song referencing Joe Exotic could be ignored. Indeed, Bfb Da Packman actually references the idiosyncratic gay zookeeper on “Free Joe Exotic” (“Came up from sellin’ pussy, free my n***a Joe Exotic”), if only briefly.  He does also mention the equally infamous Carole Baskin, for good measure (“My bitch cheatin’, fed her to the animals, Carole Baskin”). Most of his two verses on the record focus on sex and food.

He’s joined by Sada Baby, who delivers two verses on his own.  Sada Baby also keeps things sexed-up, opening the second verse with “I tell a bitch if she ain’t suckin’ dick, then leave me be.” Wow.  He is ‘woke,’ at least in one particular instance, asserting, “Hmm, fuck a pandemic, Flint water been fucked up, huh / Ain’t nobody send nobody there to help us, huh.” This hookless rap joint, which runs nearly five minutes in duration, is an interesting listen to say the least.

8. Kygo, “Freedom”

Ft. Zak Abel

Golden Hour • Sony • 2020

“You give me freedom, freedom / Freedom I’ve been looking for.” Hallelujah! Oops – this isn’t a gospel song – sorry! “Freedom” is a single from Golden Hour, the third studio album by Norwegian producer Kygo.  As with many dance/electronic music producers, Kygo often seeks out collaborators that complement his music.  On “Freedom,” he struck gold with British pop standout, Zak Abel.  Abel first caught my attention back in 2017 with his debut album, Only When We’re Naked.

Where does the “Freedom” occur on Golden Hour? It happens early on the album – the fourth track! Zak Abel, for those unaware, has quite a potent, soulful voice on his hands.  He unleashes them here, mostly untouched on the verse.  That said, on the chorus, those pipes get some of the Kygo treatment, with some cool, playful effects.  Beyond Abel reflecting on the freedom, Kygo is busy at work, delivering balanced and tasteful production.  What I’ve always liked about his approach is how he never overdoes it, which is again the case on “Freedom.”  Still, when he wants to ‘let her rip,’ well, he ‘lets her rip’ – for the most part, on the chorus.  Oh, FREEDOM!

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9. Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa, “Young, Wild & Free”

Ft. Bruno Mars

Mac and Devin Go to High School • Atlantic • 2011

“So, what we get drunk? / So, what we smoke weed? / We’re just having fun / we don’t care who sees…” Like Fantasia’s “Free Yourself”, a quote from the Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa joint, “Young, Wild & Free” was used to introduce 13 Songs That Exemplify Being Free. Of course, this song from a weed-driven stoner comedy (Mac and Devin Go to High School) deserves its own recognition.  Helping Snoop and Wiz supply their high is none other than Bruno Mars.

“Young, Wild & Free” is the perfect anthem that exemplifies carefree youthfulness. The aforementioned lyrics provide the perfect portrait of being young and totally not giving a 💩.  The chorus, the centerpiece, continues as follows:

“So, what we go out?
That’s how it’s supposed to be
Living young and wild and free.”

Perhaps it’s indeed harmless freedom, but sometimes being ‘young wild & free’ has its consequences.  In 2020, a prime example that comes to mind is a 30-year old who recklessly attended a COVID party, contracted coronavirus, and ultimately, died.  So, to you young, wild, and free folks out there, just be careful, okay?

10. Rick Ross, “Free Mason”

Ft. Jay-Z

Teflon Don • The Island Def Jam Music Group • 2010

“Free Mason, freelancer / Free agents, we faster / Big contracts, big contractors / Built pyramids, period, we masters.” First and foremost, “Free Mason” is one of my very favorite Rick Ross songs.  Honestly, Teflon Don is one of my favorite Rick Ross albums.  Here, Ross collaborates with Jay-Z and an uncredited John Legend, who provides the soulful sung vocals on the chorus.  Not only are Legend’s vocals soulful, so is the production, which fuses soul and gospel cues with hip-hop.

Rick Ross commences the first verse of “Free Mason” unapologetic AF: “I go to the grave before I be a bitch n***a / Better behave, you dealing with some rich n***as.” Mic drop! Essentially, Ross paints the picture of the ambitious king who is a free thinker and of course a rich, savvy businessman.  Jay-Z echoes such sentiments on the second verse, as well as, um, some interesting religious references:

“Fuck all these fairytales; go to hell, this is God engineering
This is a Hail Mary pass, y’all interfering
He without sin shall cast the first stone
So, y’all look in the mirror, double check your appearance...”

11. Rush, “Freewill”

Permanent Waves • Anthem / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 1980 

“I will choose a path that’s clear, I will choose freewill.” Yep, that’s what Canadian prog-rock veterans Rush assert on classic “Freewill.” “Freewill” appears on their 1980 album, Permanent Waves. Late, great drummer Neil Peart, also the lyricist for iconic band, was a humanist responsible for many of the freethinking references within the band’s music.  Of course, all members of Rush – Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson – are self-proclaimed atheists.

Merriam-Webster does a pretty bang-up job of defining freewill. At its simplest, freewill is “voluntary choice decision.” Adding the religious angle, free will is the “freedom of humans to make choice that are not determined by divine intervention.” Basically, Rush focuses on the latter in “Freewill,” which makes perfect sense given their collective atheism.  Simple as the concept is, Peart manages to give Lee some awesome, poetic, and thought-provoking lyrics, such as the fifth and final verse.

“Each of us, a cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt that’s far too fleet.”

11 Songs Where Free 🆓 is Key 🔑 | Playlist 🎧 [Photo Credits: 19 Recordings, Anthem, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Interscope, MCA, OVO, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Republic, Sony, The Island Def Jam Music Group, The Lunch Crew Company, The Musical Hype, UMG Recordings Inc., Unsplash]

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