There are all kinds of freedoms in society and our personal lives. Freedom comes in many forms, but the concept of liberty is almost always fundamental in the way we live. Consequently, there is no shortage of songs about freedom to cover this extremely important topic.
For any of you looking to delve a little deeper into the subject, I’ve put together a few of my favorite songs on the subject. I hope you enjoy my selection, and hopefully, there are some of your favorites among them.
So, let’s get straight to it and take a look at the first song talking about freedom…
Top 50 Songs about Freedom
1 Winds of Change by The Scorpions
The Scorpions are one of the greatest Rock bands of all time and one of the greatest groups to come out of Germany. The Scorpions have been together since 1965 and, incredibly, are still going strong today.
In that time, they have had some monster hits, including “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” “Send Me an Angel,” “Rhythm of Love,” and “Holiday.” However, “Winds of Change,” out of all of these amazing songs, is the one that has most defined the band since it was released in 1991.
So, what makes it so special?
The song is a commentary on the European political landscape in the late 80s and early 90s. At the time of the song’s release, the Berlin Wall had been torn down, and the Soviet era was quickly coming to an end.
It was a time of reunification for Germany and a period of immense hope for people in Western Europe as well as the rest of the world.
The song can best be described as a power ballad…
Typically, these kinds of songs are about personal relationships. Instead, The Scorpions, with “Winds of Change,” nailed the sentiment and mood of the nation. The lyrics are as powerful as the music, and I can honestly say that it’s undoubtedly one of the best songs about freedom that’s ever been written.
The buying public also seemed to agree since it became the best-selling single of all time in Germany. Additionally, worldwide it sold 14 million copies which made it one of the best-selling singles in history.
Plus, not surprisingly, it’s also The Scorpion’s commercially most successful song. The album it was taken from, Crazy World also enjoyed sales of over seven million copies globally.
2 Redemption Song by Bob Marley and The Wailers
This is possibly one of the best-known songs of freedom. It was released in 1980 as the final track from the album, Uprising.
It was written at a particularly difficult time in Bob Marley’s life since he was living with cancer. He knew that his days on earth were limited, and he was also going through considerable pain.
When we think of Bob Marley, we automatically think of his signature Reggae sound that he worked so hard to refine during his career. The fact is that more than any other artist, he was the one to bring Reggae to a much larger audience.
It’s fair to say that for many people, Bob Marley is Reggae…
Therefore, it’s a surprise that “Redemption Song” is a Folk song with no hint of Reggae anywhere to be found. It’s just Bob Marley and his acoustic guitar with no backing instruments or vocals.
This is a song about freeing yourself from oppression and slavery. It’s about finding your inner strength and utilizing the power of God to find a way to freedom. The song is a call for people to end their mental slavery for whatever reason.
Emancipate yourself…
It specifically refers to the empowerment of freeing the mind of thoughts around historic slavery. However, it’s also clear that he is also referring to the acceptance of his mortality and the preparation for his entry into the next world.
The song has consistently appeared in the Top 100 greatest songs of all time in Rolling Stone magazine. It’s also frequently used as a call for freedom during various conflicts around the world. If ever there was a universal anthem for freedom, then this is it.
3 Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the best-known Southern Rock bands. They were formed in 1964, and incredibly, after almost 60 years, they’re still recording and performing.
However, despite getting together in the 60s, it took until 1974 for them to release their debut album, Lynyrd Skynyrd. This was the album that contains the hits “Freebird” as well as “Simple Man.”
It’s fair to say that “Freebird” is one of the songs that would eventually come to define the band. The other is “Sweet Home Alabama.” They’re both great songs, but I much prefer the harder and more guitar-led single, “Freebird.”
Here’s the thing…
I liked this song enough to buy the single, which is saying something because I generally preferred to buy albums at the time. Most of that was down to the song, although I’d be lying if I failed to mention I was also attracted to the special-colored limited-edition release.
The song is a thumping nine minutes and eight seconds long. It feels like a full nine minutes of that is the final guitar solo, and I still love every second of it today. When they play live, this can even extend to 14 minutes or more.
Simply awesome…
Unlike some of the other songs about freedom that deal with the subject on a much wider scale, this song is more concerned with personal freedoms. To be more specific, it’s about a young guy who wants to leave his girlfriend because he doesn’t want to be tied down. He wants to be “as free as a bird.”
He sounds like a sensible kind of guy to me.
4 Freedom by Wham
What surprises me a little about “Freedom” is that it was brought out by Wham. I’d always assumed that it was a George Michael single from his solo career, but that’s not the case. The fact is that the song was released in 1985, and his solo career didn’t start until 1987.
The single was taken from the album, Make it Big. At the time of its release, Wham was riding high in the UK, so not surprisingly, the single made it to #1, and the album likewise. The single made it to #10 in the US, and the album hit the top spot.
All great numbers that are all the more impressive when you add in the ten million album sales.
Why is it so popular?
This is an out-and-out Pop song that has many of the elements of modern Boy Band Pop. It’s no real surprise as it’s what the duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgley built their career on. It’s also an image that George Michael tried hard to shed once he embarked on his solo career.
“Freedom” was written by George Michael and is essentially about the relationship between a supposedly committed couple. However, the man is seen with another woman. Not surprisingly, she is not happy about it but still doesn’t want to end the relationship.
She is adamant that she doesn’t want the freedoms that he desires. Plus, even if he continues to stray, she is equally steadfast that she will stick with him. Frankly, someone needs to have a quiet word with her.
5 Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty
The single was released in 1989 and was significant in his career. That’s because it was the first track on his debut album, Full Moon Fever, as a solo artist. What a great song and a fantastic way to begin a new musical chapter in your life.
The song was written together with Jeff Lynne, the genius behind ELO. I’m a big Tom Petty fan, but when it comes to writing songs and producing, Jeff Lynne is on a whole new level.
If you’re not familiar with ELO, take a listen to “Jeff Lynne’s ELO – Wembley or Bust.” There’s a chance you’ll remember a few songs once you hear them.
Now back to “Free Fallin”…
The single became Tom Petty’s most successful as a solo artist. It made it to #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album enjoyed similar success in the charts and sold over five million copies in the US.
I’m not surprised at these figures because I honestly believe this was his best single. It’s a beautifully crafted and produced Rock song with some of the best lyrics of any song I can recall.
How so?
The song’s main theme is about the self-absorbed culture within Los Angeles and the music industry. The singer becomes part of the selfish lifestyle and ends up breaking the heart of a girl without the slightest bit of remorse.
Although he appears to be tired of the Los Angles scene, he gets sucked into it, and he can’t seem or isn’t willing to fight his way back out. He’s effectively falling into a pit of despair.
6 It’s My Life by Talk Talk
I loved Talk Talk, and in particular, I loved Mark Hollis. They were a highly underestimated band, and Mark Hollis was a highly underestimated musician and vocalist. I find it incredulous that they sold less than two million albums throughout their career.
It makes no sense to me…
“It’s My Life” was originally released in 1984 as the lead track of their album of the same name. The single and the album became their most successful. However, when I tell you that the album still only sold 400,000 copies worldwide, you’ll understand that they never achieved global superstar status.
Ironically, No Doubt’s cover of the song, in 2003, not only sold substantially more records but also won a Grammy. I’m a fan of No Doubt and like their cover and the video that went with it. However, Talk Talk’s original is undoubtedly better on all fronts.
The song is about a struggle in someone’s life when faced with the prospect of having to fully commit to somebody. The singer realizes that he cannot be half in and half out. He has a conscience and knows that the only way to move forward is by making a decision and sticking to it.
The song is all the more poignant…
That’s because Mark Hollis, when faced with this same choice, decided to quit the music industry in favor of spending more time with his family. Unlike most musicians, he felt he couldn’t be a good father and husband if he pursued full-time music.
I commend him for his choice. Sadly, Mark Hollis passed away in 2019 at the age of 64.
7 It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
The song was released in 2000, and although it was a long time since their world domination of the 80s, Bon Jovi was still a force to be reckoned with. Something that they still are today after 40 years of recording and performing.
Bon Jovi has been packing stadiums since they first formed in 1983. Back in the 80s, they had huge hair and looked like girls. In 2000, their hair was still looking pretty good, and they had great teeth.
They also were still selling loads of records, although “It’s My Life” gave them a distinct boost, as it became their biggest hit since their cross-dressing days over ten years previously.
How much of a boost?
The single charted well globally, going double-platinum in the US and single-platinum in the UK. It was released from their seventh album, Crush. This sold 11 million copies worldwide, making a handy contribution to the 120 million albums they’ve now sold.
Lots to like about this song…
Bon Jovi knows how to write and record great soft Rock/Pop songs. They’re masters at it, which goes a long way to explain their enduring popularity. “It’s My Life” is no exception to this and is a very well-written song from both a musical and lyrical perspective.
The lyrics were written by John Bon Jovi and though essentially autobiographical, are still highly relatable. They contain a strong message that you should take a stand in life, fight for what you believe in, and fight for your freedoms.
The song acknowledges the struggles and difficulties in doing this but encourages the listener to be resolute. In turn, it’s an uplifting song about freedom.
8Born Free by Kid Rock
9Freedom by George Michael
10I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan
11Freedom! ’90 by George Michael
12Set Me Free by The Kinks
13Freedom Road by The Blind Boys of Alabama
14Freedom Fighter by Creed
15Freedom at 21 by Jack White
16Rockin’ in the Free World by Neil Young
17Free at Last by DC Talk
18No More Chains by Love and Theft
19We Shall Be Free by Garth Brooks
20Keep On Movin’ by Five
21Freedom ’97 by Robbie Williams
22Freedom of Speech by Above the Law
23Freedom Ain’t Free by Cory Morrow
24Free to Decide by The Cranberries
25The Freedom to Be by Sara Bareilles
26Freedom! ’90 by George Michael
27Freedom Fighters by The Music
28Freedom Is Coming Tomorrow by Mafikizolo
29Freedom Is Here by Hillsong United
30Fight for Your Right by Beastie Boys
31Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
32Fight The Power by Public Enemy
33Let Freedom Reign by Chrisette Michele
34Free Man in Paris by Joni Mitchell
35Liberty Walk by Miley Cyrus
36Liberation by Christina Aguilera
37Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson
38Master of Puppets by Metallica
39Break Free by Ariana Grande
40America by Simon & Garfunkel
41Brave by Sara Bareilles
42Free Your Soul by Johnny Marr
43Free Me by Joss Stone
44Freedom Is Mine by Corey Hart
45Rise Up by Andra Day
46Uprising by Muse
47We Shall Overcome by Pete Seeger
48Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
49Freedom Time by Lauryn Hill
50Free Spirit by Drake
Looking for More Inspiring Songs?
Well, check out our thoughts on the Best Songs About Life, the Best Songs About Hope, the Top Songs About the Future, the Best Songs About Heroes, and the Best American Patriotic Songs for more great song selections.
Songs about Freedom – Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. I hope you’ve enjoyed a look at some of the best freedom songs from my list. Hopefully, there were one or two you already knew. If there are some new songs that you’ve never heard before, then I hope you enjoy listening to them too.
Stay free and happy listening.
