Sweet Freedom

Album: Running Scared soundtrack (1986)
Charted: 12 7
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was Michael McDonald's second hit of 1986, his first being the duet with Patti Labelle "On My Own." McDonald writes many of his songs, but he didn't write either of these. "Sweet Freedom" was written by Rod Temperton who wrote many songs for Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and George Benson, and collaborated with McDonald on his song "Yah Mo B There."
  • The song was written for the movie Running Scared with Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal, who can be seen in the music video. It is a rather upbeat tune and a bit different then the ones McDonald did with The Doobie Brothers. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sara - Silver Spring, MD, for above 2

Comments: 5

  • Alan from Usthe lyrics say sweet freedom, but you hear only the free in the song...
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 16th 1986, "On My Own" by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #88; twelve weeks later on June 8tht, 1980 it peaked at #1 for three weeks...
    It also reached #1 {for 1 week} on May 11th, 1986 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    And on June 15th, 1986 it peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} on the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart....
    Nine years later in 1995 it was covered by Reba McEntire, her version peaked at #20 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart...
    Also in 1986 both Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald charted with solo efforts; Ms. LaBelle's "Oh People" peaked at #29 for one week, while Mr. McDonald's "Sweet Freedom" reached #7 for three weeks.
  • Jim from Pleasant Hill, CaI always found this tune inspiring, in the vein of Boston's "Don't Look Back," though musically much different.
  • Chris from Nashville, Tn'Sweet Freedom' doesn't appear on the original version of Michael McDonald's 1985 LP 'No Lookin' Back', but is included along with a remix of 'Our Love' on a re-release of the album in 1986.
  • Sara from Silver Spring, MdThis was also used as the theme song for the Yacht Rock internet series on Channel 101
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Songs About Movies

Songs About MoviesSong Writing

Iron Maiden, Adele, Toto, Eminem and Earth, Wind & Fire are just some of the artists with songs directly inspired by movies - and not always good ones.