Sweet Freedom (Michael McDonald song)
"Sweet Freedom" is a song by Michael McDonald, and his last Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single's music video featured McDonald, along with actors Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, in the film Running Scared.[1]
| "Sweet Freedom" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Single Cover | ||||
| Single by Michael McDonald | ||||
| from the album Sweet Freedom and Running Scared soundtrack | ||||
| Released | June 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Genre | R&B, blue-eyed soul, soft rock | |||
| Length | 4:07 (radio mix) / 7:38 (12" version) | |||
| Label | MCA Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rod Temperton | |||
| Producer(s) | Rod Temperton, Bruce Swedien, Richard Rudolph (credited as Dick Rudolph) | |||
| Michael McDonald singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
In addition to being featured on Running Scared's soundtrack, the song was featured on the 1986 re-release of McDonald's 1985 album No Lookin' Back.
Credits
- Lead vocals – Michael McDonald
- Backing vocals – Michael McDonald and Siedah Garrett
- Guitars – Paul Jackson, Jr. and Michael Thompson
- Keyboards – Greg Phillinganes, Anthony Patler, Danny Sembello, Rod Temperton and Larry Williams.
- Synthesizer – Larry Williams
- Synclavier – Wells Christie
- Horns – David Boruff, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft, Bill Reichenbach and Larry Williams.
- Arrangements – Rod Temperton
- Producers – Bruce Swedien, Rod Temperton and Dick Rudolph.
- Recorded and Mixed by Bruce Swedien at Westlake Audio (Los Angeles, CA).
Charts
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada The Record Singles Chart | 25[2] |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 12 |
| U.S. Adult Contemporary Tracks | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | 17 |
| Year-end chart (1986) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[3] | 75 |
Safri Duo version
| "Sweet Freedom" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Safri Duo featuring Michael McDonald | ||||
| from the album Episode II | ||||
| Released | 10 June 2002 | |||
| Genre | World music, electronic | |||
| Length | 3:23 | |||
| Label | Universal | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rod Temperton | |||
| Producer(s) | Safri Duo, Michael Parsberg | |||
| Safri Duo featuring Michael McDonald singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
In 2002, Danish electronic percussion duo Safri Duo covered the song featuring Michael McDonald. It was released in June as the fourth and final single from their debut album, Episode II.
Track listing
- CD maxi
- "Sweet Freedom" (Radio Version) - 3:23
- "Sweet Freedom" (Tillmann Uhrmacher Remix) - 7:35
- "Sweet Freedom" (Jan Driver Vocal Mix) - 7:41
- "Sweet Freedom" (Extended) - 5:09
Charts
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] | 50 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] | 50 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[6] | 3 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[7] | 29 |
| Italy (FIMI)[8] | 39 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] | 20 |
| Scotland (Official Charts Company)[10] | 39 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[11] | 2 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] | 52 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[13] | 54 |
In popular culture
- On June 21, 2010, the song was played in an episode of the British television talk show The 5 O'Clock Show.
- The song is the culmination of the storyline of the online video series Yacht Rock.
- The song was performed in a 1987 episode of the children's music series Kids Incorporated.
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References
- "Songfacts". songfacts.com. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
- Nielsen Business Media, Inc (December 27, 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 98 (52): Y-21.
- "Austriancharts.at – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- "Ultratop.be – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- "Ultratop.be – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in French). Ultratip.
- "Musicline.de – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
- "Italiancharts.com – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom". Top Digital Download.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Spanishcharts.com – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" Canciones Top 50.
- "Swisscharts.com – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom". Swiss Singles Chart.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
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