Free World (song)

"Free World" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, released in 1989 as the lead single from her second studio album Kite. It was written by MacColl and produced by Steve Lillywhite.[2] "Free World" reached No. 43 in the UK and remained in the charts for seven weeks.[3] A music video was filmed to promote the single.[4]

"Free World"
Single by Kirsty MacColl
from the album Kite
B-side"Closer to God?"
Released20 March 1989[1]
Length2:35
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)Kirsty MacColl
Producer(s)Steve Lillywhite
Kirsty MacColl singles chronology
"Fairytale of New York"
(1987)		 "Free World"
(1989)		 "Days"
(1989)

Background

Speaking to the Evening Times in 1989, MacColl said of the song: "It's really about greed. But it's all part of the great divide between North and South. This Government has probably done more than any other to worsen it." She added in an interview with New Musical Express: ""Free World" is very direct and simple; hopefully it'll make people think a bit. The subject matter is Thatcherite Britain – you know, grab whatever you can and sod the little guy. That's a fashionable way of looking at things, and I don't agree with it."[5]

Critical reception

In a review of Kite, Steve Hochman of Rolling Stone felt the song "slams home a warning of women's frustration in the world with U2-like frenzy".[6] CD Review considered the song to be "U2-influenced".[7] Stewart Mason of AllMusic described the song as one of MacColl's "most combative songs".[2] In the 2003 book The Rough Guide to Rock, authors Peter and Jonathan Buckley said of the song: ""Free World" is an unusually melodic example of an anti-Thatcherite diatribe. It's not the MacColl that casual visitors to the charts would recognize, but then that was her all over."[8] The Trouser Press Guide to '90s Rock described the song as having a "full-bodied pop style".[9]

Track listing
7" single
  1. "Free World" - 2:35
  2. "Closer to God?" - 3:55
10" single (UK limited edition release)
  1. "Free World" - 2:35
  2. "Closer to God?" - 3:55
  3. "The End of a Perfect Day (Original Demo Version)" - 3:13
12" single
  1. "Free World" - 2:35
  2. "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby" - 2:44
  3. "Closer to God?" - 3:55
CD single
  1. "Free World" - 2:35
  2. "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby" - 2:44
  3. "Closer to God?" - 3:55
  4. "La Forêt De Mimosas" - 3:37
CD single (UK promo)
  1. "Free World" - 2:35

Chart performance
Chart (1989) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[10] 162
UK Singles Chart[3] 43

Personnel
  • Kirsty MacColl - vocals
  • Pete Glenister - acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • James Eller - double bass
  • David Palmer - drums
  • Paul Crowder - tambourine
Production
Other
  • Bill Smith Studio, Kirsty MacColl - sleeve design
  • Charles Dickins - photography
  • XL Talent - management

References
  1. Smith, Robin (11 March 1989). "News". Record Mirror. p. 6.
  2. AllMusic Review by Stewart Mason. "Kite - Kirsty MacColl | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  3. "KIRSTY MACCOLL | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  4. "Kirsty MacColl - Free World". YouTube. 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  5. https://www.kirstymaccoll.com/media/interviews/interviews-1989/
  6. Kirsty MacColl (1990-05-31). "Kirsty MacColl: Kite : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Archived from the original on 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  7. "CD Review - Google Books". 1990. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  8. (Firm), Rough Guides (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock - Rough Guides (Firm) - Google Books. ISBN 9781858284576. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  9. Robbins, Ira A. (1997). The Trouser Press Guide to '90s Rock: The All-new Fifth Edition of The ... - Google Books. ISBN 9780684814377. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  10. "The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Kirsty' (from irishcharts.ie)". Imgur.com (original source published by Fireball Media). Retrieved 4 September 2016.
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