15 Songs About Freedom
By Rose Wythe
July 2, 2018
In honor of July 4th, we thought we’d take a break from our typical bbq-themed content. Instead, we found it appropriate to take the time and come up with a playlist of songs that expound on the vast subject of freedom. From Beyonce’s very directly titled “Freedom” to Kelly Clarkson’s now-iconic (not to mention throwback) “Miss Independent” to George Michael’s oft-sampled “Freedom! 90” and beyond, scroll on to see songs that deal with the theme of freedom — be it about moving on from a toxic ex, something far more metaphorical or even as a literal interpretation — in different ways.
1. “Freedom” - Beyoncé
Lyrics: “Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move / Freedom, cut me loose! / Freedom! Freedom! Where are you? ‘Cause I need freedom, too!”
2. “Freedom! 90” - George Michael
Lyrics: “It’s the one good thing that I’ve got, freedom / I won’t let you down, freedom / So please don’t give me up, freedom / ‘Cause I would really, really love to stick around”
3. “Miss Independent” - Kelly Clarkson
Lyrics: “Miss on her own / Miss almost grown / Miss never let a man help her off her throne”
4. “Freedom” - Pharrell
Lyrics: “Your first name is Free / Last name is Dom / Cause you still believe in where we're from”
5. “Born Free” - Kid Rock
Lyrics: “And I don't want no one to cry / But, tell 'em if I don't survive / I was born free! / I was born free”
6. “Blackbird” - The Beatles
Lyrics: “Blackbird singing in the dead of night / Take these sunken eyes and learn to see / All your life / You were only waiting for this moment to be free”
7. “Freedom” - Pitbull
Lyrics: “I'm free to do what I want and have a good time / Now somebody, anybody, everybody, say / Cause I'm free to do what I want and have a good time / Now somebody, anybody, everybody, say”
8. “Independence Day” - 5 Seconds of Summer
Lyrics: “I’m over this, I’m over you / I’m not gonna waste my life away / This is my Independence Day”
9. “Independent Women Pt. 1” - Destiny’s Child
Lyrics: “All the women who are independent / Throw your hands up at me”
10. “Miss Movin’ On” - Fifth Harmony
Lyrics: “I'm not the way that I used to be / I took the record off repeat / You killed me, but I survived / And now I'm coming alive”
11. “Stronger” - Britney Spears
Lyrics: “There's nothing you can do or say, baby / I’ve had enough / I’m not your property as from today, baby / You might think that I won't make it on my own / But now I'm / Stronger than yesterday”
12. “Fighter” - Christina Aguilera
Lyrics: “After all of the fights and the lies / 'Cause you're wanting to haunt me / But that won't work anymore, no more, it's over / Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture I wouldn't know how to be this way now and never back down”
13. “Miss Independent” - Ne-Yo
Lyrics: “She got her own thing / That's why I love her / Miss Independent / Won't you come and spend a little time?”
14. “Freedom” - Nicki Minaj
Lyrics: “I feel free, I feel freedom / Why they mad? You should see them”
15. “American Soldier” - Toby Keith
Lyrics: “Oh, and I don't want to die for you / But if dying's asked of me / I'll bear that cross with an honor / ‘Cause freedom don't come free”
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