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“13 Songs That Exemplify Being Free” features music courtesy of The Amity Affliction, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Khalid.
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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
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?
2. Meek Mill, “What’s Free”
Ft. Rick Ross & Jay Z
Championships • Atlantic • 2018
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”).
3. The Amity Affliction, “Set Me Free”
Misery • Roadrunner • 2018
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!
4. Kids See Ghosts, “Freeee (Ghost Town Pt. 2)
Kids See Ghosts • GOOD / Def Jam • 2018
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
“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!
6. Drake, “Free Smoke”
More Life • Young Money / Cash Money • 2017
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.
7. Elton John, “Philadelphia Freedom”
Diamonds [via Captain Fantastic] • Island • 2017 [1975]
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.
8. Beyoncé, “Freedom”
Ft. Kendrick Lamar
Lemonade • Sony • 2016
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
“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.
10. DJ Khaled, “For Free”
Ft. Drake
Major Key • Epic • 2016
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!”
11. Kendrick Lamar, “For Free? (Interlude)”
To Pimp a Butterfly • Interscope • 2015
“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…”
12. Ariana Grande, “Break Free”
Ft. Zedd
My Everything • Republic • 2014
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!
13. Jack White, “Freedom at 21”
Blunderbuss • Sony / Third Man • 2012
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…”
“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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