| "Sweet Freedom" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Single Cover | ||||
| Single by Michael McDonald | ||||
| from the album Sweet Freedom and Running Scared soundtrack | ||||
| B-side | "The Freedom Eights" | |||
| Released | June 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Studio | Westlake Audio, Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | R&B, blue-eyed soul, dance-pop | |||
| Length | 3:57 (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 | ||||
| ||||
"Sweet Freedom" is a song by Michael McDonald, written by Rod Temperton originally featured on Running Scared's soundtrack, before the 1986 re-release of McDonald's 1985 album No Lookin' Back. The track peaked at #7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (his last Top 10 hit in that chart), #12 in the UK, and #14 in Canada.
The single's music video directed by Leslie Libman featured McDonald, along with actors Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, in the film Running Scared.[1]
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 (1986-1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada The Record Singles Chart[2] | 25 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[3] | 14 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[4] | 12 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[5] | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 7 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[7] | 8 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] | 17 |
| Year-end chart (1986) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[9] | 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, eurodance | |||
| 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, featuring Michael McDonald, covered the song. 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
UK CD Single (Enhanced)[10]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sweet Freedom (Radio Version)" | 3.23 |
| 2. | "Sweet Freedom (Jan Driver Remix)" | 6.30 |
| 3. | "Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song) (Radio Cut)" | 3.03 |
| 4. | "Sweet Freedom (Video)" | 3.34 |
Charts
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] | 50 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[12] | 50 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[13] | 3 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[14] | 29 |
| Italy (FIMI)[15] | 39 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] | 20 |
| Scotland (OCC)[17] | 39 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[18] | 2 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] | 52 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[20] | 54 |
In popular culture
- The song is the culmination of the storyline of the online video series Yacht Rock.
References
- ↑ "Songfacts". songfacts.com. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ↑ Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
- ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0728." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ↑ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ↑ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ↑ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ↑ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ↑ Nielsen Business Media, Inc (December 27, 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. p. Y-21.
{{cite magazine}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ↑ "Safri Duo Feat. Michael McDonald - Sweet Freedom". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ↑ "Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ↑ "Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ↑ "Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in French). Ultratip.
- ↑ "Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" Canciones Top 50.
- ↑ "Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
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