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“13 Songs That Exemplify Being Free” features music courtesy of The Amity Affliction, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Khalid.   

Grammy-winning R&B singer Fantasia once brilliantly stated, “If you don’t want me, then don’t talk to me / Go ahead and ‘Free Yourself’.” Moving six years later, in 2010, on the superb “Free Mason”, Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross spit, “Free Mason, freelancer / Free agents, we faster / Big contracts, big contractors / Built pyramids, period, we masters.” One more example, arriving a year later, via Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa assisted by Bruno Mars: “…So what we go out? / That’s how it’s supposed to be / Living young and wild and free.”

If you couldn’t tell, the common thread between “Free Yourself,” “Free Mason,” and “Young, Wild & Free” is the word ‘free.’  Every song on 13 Songs That Exemplify Being Free features the word ‘free’ in some form in its song title.  Furthermore, MOST of the songs exhibit being free, just as the title of the playlist suggest. Of course, there’s an exception or two ;). Musicians contributing to the freedom include The Amity Affliction (“Set Me Free”), Ariana Grande (“Break Free”), Beyoncé (“Freedom”), Kendrick Lamar (“For Free – Interlude”), and Khalid (“Free Spirit”) among others.

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1. Khalid, “Free Spirit”

Free Spirit • RCA • 2019

“We’ll be free spirits, free spirits / Can you hear me calling? / Oh, it’s all or nothing…” “Free Spirit” appears on Free Spirit, the 2019 sophomore LP by Grammy-nominated R&B musician, Khalid. On the 11^th track on the album, contextually, Khalid continues to showcase his versatility.  That versatility encompasses embracing crossover appeal on this ‘pop’ song.  He’s arguably more effective on the more ‘urban-leaning’ songs from the album, but one can see the appeal this particular song/style of song can have.

Lyrically, there are plenty of highlights, beginning with the aforementioned excerpted chorus, which continues as follows: “When you’re free spirits, free spirits / Can you hear it calling? / ‘Cause I don’t wanna live and die alone, don’t let me go.” The verses also have notable moments such as “You were so in love with simple things / And now we’re searching for the fire dipped in kerosene” (Verse one) and “Is this heaven or Armageddon? / I’ll be getting’ high with you to watch the endin’” (Verse two). It feels so good to be free, right?

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2. Meek Mill, “What’s Free”

Ft. Rick Ross & Jay Z

Championships • Atlantic • 2018

“What’s free? / Free is when nobody else could tell us what to be / Free is when the TV ain’t controllin’ what we see / …Stay up, I know these times ain’t true / Real life, what’s free?” “What’s Free” runs long (six-minutes-plus in duration) but definitely keeps the hits coming for Meek Mill on his highly-anticipated 2018 album, Championships. The aforementioned chorus, performed by Meek, is just part of the charm of the record.

Meek Mill secures solid guest spots from Rick Ross (“Pot and kilo go hand in hand like we Gamble and Huff”) and Jay-Z (“In the land of the free, where the blacks enslaved / Three-fifths of a man, I believe’s the phrase”). Arguably, Jay-Z serves up the best verse on this soulful joint, but Meek has his moments, including the closing line from his verse: “Is we beefin’ or rappin’? I might just pop up with Drizzy like…” Of course, we all know that Drake ends up appearing on Championships a few tracks later (“Going Bad”).

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3. The Amity Affliction, “Set Me Free”

Misery • Roadrunner • 2018

“Oh God, I’m a broken man / Nothing left for me, and I am pleading / Heaven, take me now / Heaven, take me now.” Safe to say, Australian post-hardcore collective The Amity Affliction definitely need to be ‘set free.’  At least, that’s the request of Ahren Stringer and Joel Birch on the penultimate track, “Set Me Free” from their 2018 album, Misery.  For some context, Stringer handles the ‘clean’ vocals while Birch digs in with the ‘unclean’ vocals.

Things begin quite melodic for The Amity Affliction, with those smoother, cleaner vocals of Stringer dominating the first verse.  Birch provides some supporting vocals on first verse and following chorus (excerpted at the top of this blurb), before taking the reins on the aggressive, totally unclean second verse:

“Set me free, yeah
Let me bathe in your sunlight
Take my hand, and we’ll take flight
I’ve been feeling your love
I know you are the one who holds it all.”

A number of other happenings make “Set Me Free” a captivating track.  There’s a ‘breakdown’ by Birch, a spoken sample, and a key change that sounds like it’s straight from the 80s rock playbook.  Hey, I’m personally glad The Amity Affliction ‘freed’ the key change – underused these days for sure!

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4. Kids See Ghosts, “Freeee (Ghost Town Pt. 2)

Kids See Ghosts • GOOD / Def Jam • 2018

“I don’t feel pain anymore / Guess what, baby? I feel freeee (scoop!)!” Following a fitting Marcus Garvey sample, Kanye West explodes with a hook sure to make you giggle the first time you hear it on “Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2),” which appears on the self-titled Kids See Ghosts album released in 2018.  It’s a bit dramatic – perhaps even a wee bit outlandish – but he makes his point crystal clear with honesty.

Beyond the chorus, he’s assisted on a left-of-center, yet pleasing verse by Kid Cudi, and more frequently Ty Dolla $ign.  It’s weird mind you, but Ty’s unique tone is a perfect fit.  Throw in contributions from Anthony Hamilton alongside Ty and things grow even more soulful.  Also, worth noting, Cudi gets his own chorus and bridge to testify: “Died and came back twice / Now I’m freeee.”  Notably, it is the continuation of the 070 Shake outro from “Ghost Town” (Ye, 2018).  “Freeee (Ghost Town Pt. 2)” previously appeared on the playlist 13 Songs About All About Ghosts…Sort Of.

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5.Mary J. Blige, “Set Me Free”

Strength of a Woman • Capitol • 2017

Strength of a Woman, released in April 2017, can be best described as a post-divorce album.  It follows Mary J. Blige’s divorce from Kendu Isaacs and finds her capturing the sentiment of such. This is apparent early-on with the heartfelt opener, “Love Yourself” (“Oh, you gotta love yourself / If you really wanna be with someone else / You gotta feed yourself / Before you feed somebody else”), as well as the follow-up, “Thick of It” (“What a hell of a year / If I make it through hell and I come out alive I got nothing to fear / No more crying and trying …). Neither “Love Yourself” or “Thick of It” fit the ‘free’ criteria of this list, but “Set Me Free,” the third track from Strength of a Woman certainly does.

“Tell me how you figure that you made me
And you gave me what I had before I meet ya
Ain’t gon’ have it when you’re gone
And how you fix your mouth to say I owe you
When you had another bitch and taking trips and shit
With my money for so long.”

“Set Me Free” gives Strength of a Woman a jazzy, soul highlight.  Blige continues to exhibit fierceness, even with jazzier cues employed here. She’s incredibly blunt (“When you had another bitch and taking trips and shit / … You must have lost it, n*gga, you won’t get a dime”), solidifying the parental advisory sticker gracing the album.  Clearly pissed, on the chorus she sings:

“There’s a special place in hell for you
You gon’ pay for what you did to me
I’ma tell you ‘cause the truth will set me free.”

Yeah, MJB just threw the bible at that M-F’er!

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6. Drake, “Free Smoke”

More Life • Young Money / Cash Money • 2017

Five words: “Free smoke, free smoke, ayy!” “Free Smoke” kicks off Drake’s 2017 playlist-album (or whatever the hell it’s supposed to be), More Life, in electrifying fashion. Following a sample-driven introduction, hard drums and ferocious rhymes by Drake take over: “Yeah, I couldn’t get a bill paid / You couldn’t buy the real things / I was stayin’ up at yo place / Tryin’ to figure the whole thing out…”

It is great to hear Drizzy come out swinging, initially giving More Life punch.  What does he drop bars about? A familiar topic to say the least: his come-up. Regardless, it gives the opening banger authenticity. The first verse from Drake continues as follows:

“…I saw people doin’ things
Almost gave up on the music thing
But we all so spoiled now
More life, more everything.”

#Free Smoke.

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7. Elton John, “Philadelphia Freedom”

Diamonds [via Captain Fantastic] • Island • 2017 [1975]

“Because I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom / From the day that I was born I’ve waved the flag.” Pennsylvania itself doesn’t have much of ring to it in regard to being the title of a song.  Hence, there aren’t many songs written explicitly about the state using its lengthy name as a title. However, Elton John and longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin knew that “Philadelphia Freedom” had a ring to it, or at least, superb songwriting, singing, and most of all, the makings of a hit.

The song is a tribute to Billie Jean King, a renowned tennis player who played on the Philadelphia Freedoms.  King, like John, is a member of the LGBTQ community. “Philadelphia Freedom” originally appeared on the playlist, 50 Songs About the 50 States, representing the fine state of Pennsylvania, as well as making a reprisal on 18 Songs that Encompass Various Sports.

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8. Beyoncé, “Freedom”

Ft. Kendrick Lamar

Lemonade • Sony • 2016

“Tryna rain, tryna rain on the thunder / Tell the storm I’m new / I’ma walk, I’ma march on the regular / Painting white flags blue…” Sigh, on “Freedom,” a Grammy-nominated record from her Grammy-winning album Lemonade, Beyoncé has a new outlook. The aforementioned lyrics, excerpted from the powerful first verse, continue, “…Lord forgive me, I’ve been running / Running blind in truth / I’ma rain, I’ma rain on this bitter love / Tell the sweet I’m new.”

Clearly, no barriers can stop her from reclaiming her shine.  More importantly, black women shouldn’t let anything hold them back. Among the most powerful moments occurs on the liberated chorus:

“I break chains all by myself
Won’t let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I’ma keep running
Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves.”

Of course, Beyoncé is assisted by the one-and-only Kendrick Lamar on the third verse and outro of “Freedom.” As always, K-Dot ‘shows out’:

“Open correction gates in higher desert
Open our mind as we cast away oppression
Open the streets and watch our beliefs
And when they carve my name inside the concrete
I pray it forever reads…”

“Freedom” previously appeared on the playlist 27 Contemporary Songs That Capture the Black Experience.

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9. Sia, “Bird Set Free”

This is Acting • RCA • 2016

“Clipped wings, I was a broken thing / Had a voice, had a voice but I could not sing / You would wind me down / I struggled on the ground.” Sigh just read those poetic, thoughtful lyrics once again.  Adding to the awesomeness are expressive, authentic, powerhouse vocals by Sia. Amazingly, somebody passed on the liberating, unleashed, soaring ballad, “Bird Set Free,” which commences the pop singer/songwriter’s 2016 album, This is Acting.

“And I don’t care if I sing off key
I found myself in my melodies
I sing for love; I sing for me
I shout it out like a bird set free.”

Again, why did anyone pass this up? Regardless, Sia absolutely kills this awesome song, co-written by the great Greg Kurstin. “Bird Set Free” previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Songs to Channel Your Inner Animal.

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10. DJ Khaled, “For Free”

Ft. Drake

Major Key • Epic • 2016

“I got girls that I shoulda made pay for it / Got girls that I shoulda made wait for it.” Wow!  The premise of DJ Khaled’s “For Free”, featuring Drake, is pretty simple.  “For Free” is an infectious anthem about awesome sex.  Finding something more meaningful within “For Free” simply isn’t possible. This 2016 summer anthem (Major Key) is nothing more than “dessert” – it’s certainly not nutritionally sound.  Booty is the modus operandi; there’s no doubt about it, particularly with the occasional stripper reference…

Drake on autopilot with his lustfully assembled rhymes.  The chorus is the song’s best attribute, with Drake spitting, “I always wonder if you ask yourself / Is it just me? / Is it just me? / Or is this sex so good I shouldn’t have to fuck for free?” Obviously, the “free” part adds a whole new level of ‘scandalous.’ Besides the hook, there are plenty of other clever references.  The best is his reference to Kendrick Lamar’s “For Free? (Interlude)” from To Pimp A Butterfly: “And like your boy from Compton said / you know this dick ain’t free!”

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11. Kendrick Lamar, “For Free? (Interlude)”

To Pimp a Butterfly • Interscope • 2015

Four words: “This dick ain’t free.” Only a select few musicians can make an interlude be a highlight.  Kendrick Lamar is special – understatement.  As to how To Pimp a Butterfly missed out on winning the Grammy for Album of the Year, well, I just don’t know.  Focusing on this playlist, the ‘free’ song that we highlight from the album is “For Free? (Interlude).” If you read the aforementioned blurb regarding DJ Khaled’s “For Free” featuring Drake, then you know that Drizzy had to reference this awesome K-Dot interlude.

“For Free? (Interlude)” features a superb jazz production work courtesy of Grammy-winner Robert Glasper on piano.  With an ambitious backdrop to work with, Kendrick Lamar devises unorthodox rhymes that fit the production perfectly.  Beastly to the nth degree, the second half of his verse is nothing short of epic:

“Matter fact it need interest, matter fact it’s nine inches
Matter fact see our friendship based on business
Pension, more pension, you’re pinchin’, my consensus
Been relentless, fuck forgiveness, fuck your feelings…”

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12. Ariana Grande, “Break Free”

Ft. Zedd

My Everything • Republic • 2014

“I only wanna die alive / Never by the hands of a broken heart / I don’t wanna hear you lie tonight / Now that I’ve become who I really am.” Okay… “Break Free” arrived as an electro-pop standout from Everything, the 2014 sophomore LP by Grammy-winner Ariana Grande. Amazingly, it seems it’s been forever since Grande dropped Everything and the many hit singles (“Problem” and “Bang Bang” included) given her hella impressive run of albums released afterwards (Dangerous Woman, Sweetener, and Thank U, Next). Zedd guests on “Break Free,” co-producing alongside pop hitmaker Max Martin.

The premise of this EDM/pop record is Ariana Grande “breaking free” from a potential broken heart and unhealthy relationship. Hence, on the chorus, she asserts:

“This is the part when I say I don’t want ya
I’m stronger than I’ve been before
This is the part when I break free
‘Cause I can’t resist it no more.”

Some other notes.  The bridge is pretty sweet, as Grande dreams and is wooed by the thought of his body, but ultimately, “woke up every time.” Also, her falsetto – for lack of a better word – is stunning!

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13. Jack White, “Freedom at 21”

Blunderbuss • Sony / Third Man • 2012

Jack White is truly a musical genius.  He pretty much has the music thing on lockdown whether he’s releasing his own solo albums, performing with a band, or producing and writing songs for others.  His debut album as a solo artist, Blunderbuss (2012), was nothing short of intriguing. Unsurprisingly, White found himself nominated for a total of five Grammys associated with Blunderbuss, including a nomination for Album of the Year.  White won none of those, but don’t be sad – he’s came out victorious 12 times out of 33 nominations.  Among the best moments from this captivating affair comes by way of “Freedom at 21.”

Three things in particular stand out about “Freedom at 21.”  First is the production and sound, which is characterized by the prominent use of electric guitar and the drum groove.  Second is the vocal performance by Jack White, which is quite distinct, yet exemplifies the spirit of rock and roll you could say. White quasi-sings and quasi-‘raps’ within the context of an alternative rock of course – he’s not really dropping ‘bars.’ The third and final thing that shines about “Freedom at 21” is the songwriting.  A prime example:

“Two black gadgets in her hand
That’s all she thinks about
No responsibility, no guilt or morals
Cloud her judgement, smile on her face
She does what she damn well please…”

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“13 Songs That Exemplify Being Free” [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Capitol, Cash Money, Def Jam, Epic, GOOD, Interscope, Island, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Republic, Roadrunner, Sony, Third Man, Young Money]

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