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    Wham! - Freedom - UK 7'' Cover - Front
    1984 Number Ones Singles Wham!

    Wham! – Freedom

    3 Views1 Min Read

    The Eighties Archive

    Song Number 0098
    “Freedom” by the British pop duo Wham! remains one of the most vibrant, infectious, and culturally significant anthems of the mid-1980s. Released in August 1984 as the third single from their wildly successful second studio album, Make It Big, the track solidified George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s status as global superstars. At a time when British pop was transitioning from the moody, synth-driven textures of the early new wave era into a brighter, more soulful territory, “Freedom” arrived as a masterclass in classic songwriting. It perfectly merged the irresistible energy of contemporary dance-pop with the timeless, driving rhythms of 1960s Motown, creating a sound that was instantly nostalgic yet entirely modern.
    The brilliance of “Freedom” lies in its masterful deception, a songwriting technique that George Michael would perfect throughout his career. Musically, the track is a joyous, upbeat celebration, propelled by an effervescent brass section, a bouncing bassline, and an incredibly catchy melody that practically demands listeners to sing along. However, underneath this euphoric sonic surface lies a lyrical narrative that is deeply melancholy and vulnerable. The lyrics describe an unequal, agonizingly obsessive romance where the narrator is utterly helpless to his partner’s whims, begging for a sense of emotional freedom while simultaneously acknowledging that he cannot tear himself away. This poignant contrast between a sad lyric and a happy melody gives the song an enduring emotional weight that elevates it far above standard, disposable pop fare.
    Beyond its musical merits, “Freedom” holds a historic place in global cultural diplomacy. In April 1985, Wham! became the first major Western pop act to perform in the People’s Republic of China, a groundbreaking event that served as a pivotal moment of cultural opening after years of isolation. “Freedom” was a centerpiece of this historic tour, and the accompanying music video famously captured footage of Michael and Ridgeley interacting with Chinese citizens and performing for an initially stunned, but ultimately captivated, audience in Beijing.

    The song literally and figuratively came to symbolize a bridge between the East and the West, capturing the euphoric, liberating power of music to cross seemingly insurmountable political and cultural barriers.

    The song achieved massive commercial success, hitting the number-one spot on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks and reaching the top three on the US Billboard Hot 100. It proved beyond doubt that George Michael was not merely a teen idol, but a formidable, visionary songwriter, producer, and arranger who possessed absolute control over his artistic output. Decades after its release, “Freedom” continues to resonate, its timeless hooks and bittersweet lyrics remaining a staple of radio airwaves and pop culture. It stands as a definitive monument to the golden age of 1980s pop, encapsulating the sheer joy, flawless craftsmanship, and boundless ambition of a duo at the absolute peak of their creative powers.

    The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK charts on 20th October 1984.
    Wham! - Freedom - Eighties Archive - Promo Image
    Wham! - Freedom - UK 7'' Cover - Front
    Wham! - Freedom - UK 7'' Cover (Front)
    Wham! - Freedom - UK 7'' Cover - Back
    Wham! - Freedom - UK 7'' Cover (Back)
    A-Side Freedom (5:08)
    (George Michael)
    Produced By George Michael
    B-Side Freedom (Instrumental) (5:10)
    (George Michael)
    Produced By George Michael
    UK Top 40 Chart Run [10 Weeks] – 13th October 1984 – 15th December 1984
    03
    01
    01
    01
    02
    04
    09
    20
    25
    36

    Officially Released Versions

    Freedom (Single Version) (5:04)
    Freedom (US 7″ Version) (5:20)
    Freedom (Long Version) (7:14)
    Freedom (Long Mix) (6:16)
    Freedom (Instrumental Version) (5:10)

    See ALL releases of ‘Freedom’ on Discogs.

    Lyrics

    Doo-doo-doo
    Oh-oh-oh-oh
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo

    Every day, I hear a different story
    People sayin’ that you’re no good for me
    “Saw your lover with another
    And she’s makin’ a fool of you,” oh
    If you love me, baby, you’d deny it
    But you laugh and tell me I should try it
    Tell me I’m a baby and I don’t understand

    But you know that I’ll forgive you
    Just this once, twice, forever
    ‘Cause, baby, you could drag me to hell and back
    Just as long as we’re together, and you do

    I don’t want your freedom
    I don’t want to play around
    I don’t want nobody, baby
    Part-time love just brings me down
    I don’t need your freedom
    Girl, all I want right now is you

    Doo-doo-doo
    Woah-oh, yeah
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo

    Like a prisoner who has his own key
    But I can’t escape until you love me
    I just go from day to day
    Knowing all about the other boys
    You take my hand and tell me I’m a fool
    To give you all that I do
    I bet you someday, baby
    Someone says the same to you

    But you know that I’ll forgive you
    Just this once, twice, forever
    ‘Cause, baby, you could drag me to hell and back
    Just as long as we’re together, and you do, oh

    I don’t want your freedom
    I don’t want to play around
    I don’t want nobody, baby
    Part-time love just brings me down
    I don’t want your freedom
    Girl, all I want right now is you

    Doo-doo-doo (Can’t you see you’re hurting me?)
    Woah-oh, yeah (Ah-ah)
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo

    You’re hurting me, baby, hurting me, baby
    Oh-oh
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
    Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
    You’re hurting me, baby, hurting me, baby

    But you know that I’ll forgive you
    Just this once, twice, forever
    ‘Cause, baby, you could drag me to hell and back
    Just as long as we’re together, and you do, oh

    I don’t want your freedom
    I don’t need to play around
    I don’t want nobody, baby
    Part-time love just brings me down
    I don’t want your freedom
    I don’t want to play around
    I don’t want nobody, baby
    Part-time love just brings me down

    I don’t want your (I don’t want your)
    I don’t want your (I don’t want your)
    I don’t want your (I don’t want your)
    I don’t want your (I don’t want your)
    Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh

    Written By George Michael

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    Wham!
    Freedom
    Wham! - Freedom - UK 7'' Cover - Front
    Wham! - Freedom - VIT Album

    Date Released

    September 1984

    Highest Chart Position

    No. 01

    Genre

    Synth-Pop, Pop, EuroPop

    Date Of UK Top 40 Entry

    13th October 1984

    Record Label

    EPIC RECORDS

    Catalogue Number

    A 4743

    Other Songs In Archive

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