Freedom Cadence

Album: Thank You For Your Service (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Bruce Springsteen recorded this song for the closing credits of the movie Thank You For Your Service. The film drama is based on the real-life experiences of Iraq War veteran Adam Schumann.
  • Springsteen recorded the song at his Stone Hill Studio in Colts Neck, New Jersey and recruited Schumann and Thank You For Your Service producer Jon Kilik as backup singers. As well as supplying lead vocals, The Boss also contributes banjo and harmonium.
  • Springsteen took melodic inspiration from the soldiers' marching cadence called "Freedom." (Often known as "Some Say Freedom is Free.")

    "Adam had a cadence that they sang in boot camp, and [Kilik] recorded him singing it on his cell phone," director Jason Hall told Backsteets.com. "Jon is friends with Bruce and played it for him. Bruce was like, 'Oh, that's cool. How'd the movie turn out?' 'Movie turned out great.' We played him the movie. Bruce loved it, watched it twice, and then said, 'Send me that recording, come back in a month, and bring that kid.' So Adam went up there with Jon and recorded the song with him."

Comments: 1

  • Eb from Scotland Very true in so many ways people would never understand
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?