To Be Free

Album: Runaway (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is the story of Passenger, aka Mike Rosenberg's, paternal grandparents, who were Jews living in France during World War II. They fled to Switzerland and stayed there in a refugee camp. Rosenberg's grandparents then moved to the States after the war, where they raised their four children, including the singer's dad.

    "It was a difficult childhood for my dad," Rosenberg told The Sun. "I'm proud of that song. At that point I decided to go with this Americana idea and produce it in an American way."

Comments: 1

  • June from Sunderland EnglandMike I, adore your new album, birds that flew and ships that sailed especially. I won't be there what's the story behind it?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."