Blowin' Free

Album: Wishbone Four (1973)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about Annalena Nordstrom, the Swedish girlfriend of bass player Martin Turner from his days with Empty Vessels, an Ash precursor. They were playing at Torquay when there were about 200 Swedish girls on holiday. When he met her again in London a few years later, "She hadn't changed a bit."
  • In an in-depth interview with Lawrence Pugliese at the Moonshine Theatre, Scranton, during the 2005 Ashfest, Andy Powell was asked about "Blowin' Free." He said it was one of the very first songs they ever wrote, about 1971. Although he didn't comment on its inspiration, he remembered where it was written, at the Whisky A Go-Go on Sunset Boulevard.

    By "they" he meant himself and Wishbone Ash as it was then, because by the time of this interview, he was the only remaining original member, having clocked up over 35 years with the band, (although the original bass player and vocalist Martin Turner was still performing as Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash). >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
  • In a 2013 Songfacts interview with Andy Powell, he talked about coming up with the guitar riff on this song: "We were on tour with the Who, and I liked some of the chord progressions that Pete Townshend was doing, so all I did was take some of those ideas that he was coming up with and sped them up."
  • "Blowin' Free" is a track from Wishbone Ash's career-defining third album, Argus. It was named Album of the Year in the 1972 year-end issue of Sounds, beating the likes of Machine Head by Deep Purple and David Bowie's The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust.

Comments: 4

  • Di. Still Have This Vinyl from Daytona FlI made love to this album first time in 70s in Bong Air ForceBase corn field
  • Steve from Great Wakering, United KingdomI first heard the 'Argus' album in 1975 & was really impressed with the twin guitar sound. It's just so melodic, & Blowin Free is an all time favorite. It's got a great intro & I enjoyed working it out on guitar. Nice to know the name of the girl that inspired this too. Excellent song & album!
  • Jerry from Los Angeles, CaAndy Powell( Playing the flying V )is the only remaining original member. One of my brother's and I catch them in So. Calif every couple of year's. They are an excellent band, anybody that like's good rock and roll should make an attempt to see them whenever possible, you won't be sorry.
  • Lester from New York City, NyTwin Barrels Burning. These guys ROCK.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

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.