"I'm Free" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and first released as the final track on their third album, Out of Our Heads (1965). It was also released at the same time as a single in the US and later included on the American December's Children (And Everybody's) album.
Release The Rolling Stones recorded a re-worked acoustic version for their 1995 album Stripped, and performed a live version in the 2008 film Shine a Light, which was included on the accompanying live album. The song was also performed at the free concert in Hyde Park, London, on 5 July 1969, released on the DVD The Stones in the Park in 2006.
In 2007, a remixed version of the original recording was used in a television commercial for the Chase Freedom credit card and in 2008 it was used in a UK commercial for a Renault SUV.
The original vinyl bootleg Live'r Than You'll Ever Be included a live version recorded in Oakland, California, in November 1969.
It appears on the Rolling Stones live album Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! as a re-release bonus track, following "Under My Thumb" without a break.
Music and reception Rolling Stone magazine ranked "I'm Free" as the 78th greatest Rolling Stones song, saying: "A tambourine-spangled folk rocker with chime-y, Byrds-like guitar, this offhandedly libertarian tune wasn't a big hit, but it's one of the Sixties' most pliant anthems." The Guardian identified the song as an example of the improving songwriting of Jagger and Richards at the time, describing the song as "gleefully hymning the arrogance of youth".
Cash Box described it as a "raunchy, hard-driving emotion-packed romancer".
Personnel Mick Jagger – lead vocals, backing vocals Keith Richards – lead guitar, backing vocals Brian Jones – rhythm guitar, organ Bill Wyman – bass guitar Charlie Watts – drums James W. Alexander – tambourine
The Soup Dragons version
Scottish alternative rock/dance band the Soup Dragons rearranged the song in 1990. Their version interpolates Donovan's 1969 song "Barabajagal" and contains a toasted verse by Junior Reid. The single was released by label Big Life and became the band's biggest hit, reaching the top ten in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and charted in other countries as well. The Soup Dragons' version was featured in the films Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even, The World's End and Renfield.
Critical reception Reviewing the single, David Giles of Music Week stated that the Soup Dragons "have fashioned a thoroughly contemporary piece of music that could well pay off at a commercial level".
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1990–1991)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 16Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "I'm Free" for Israeli chart history.7Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)Radio Luxembourg Singles. 29 July 1990.4Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) 9UK Dance (Music Week)6
Year-end charts Chart (1990)PositionUK Singles (OCC)40US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)12 Chart (1991)PositionAustralia (ARIA)61
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom1990Big LifeJapan25 October 1990Mini-CDPolydorAustralia5 November 19903 December 199012-inch vinyl18 February 1991CD
Other versions Pitbull heavily interpolated "I'm Free" in his song "Freedom" from the album Climate Change, which was featured on the soundtrack of the 2017 film Ferdinand. Dua Lipa sang a special version in a TV commercial for Yves Saint Laurent 2019 (released 2021).
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