Freedom (Jimi Hendrix song)

"Freedom" is a rock song by Jimi Hendrix that is often regarded as one of the most fully realized pieces he wrote and recorded in the months before his death.[1] It incorporates several musical styles and the lyrics touch upon his relationship with Devon Wilson and her heroin addiction:[1]

You know you hooked my girlfriend,
You know the drugstore man
Well I don't need it now,
I'm just tryin' to slap it out of her hand!
Freedom! So I can live![2]

"Freedom"
Italian single picture sleeve
Single by Jimi Hendrix
from the album The Cry of Love
B-side	"Angel"
Released	March 8, 1971
Recorded	June–August 1970
Studio	Electric Lady, New York City
Genre	Rock
Length	3:24
Label	Reprise
Songwriter(s)	Jimi Hendrix
Producer(s)	Jimi Hendrix Mitch Mitchell Eddie Kramer
Jimi Hendrix U.S. singles chronology
"Stepping Stone" (1970) "Freedom" (1971) "Dolly Dagger" (1971)

The song is one of the post-Band of Gypsys developed numbers that Hendrix regularly performed in concert.[3][4] In 1971, "Freedom" was used as the opening track on The Cry of Love. In the US, the song was also released as a single and was only one of two posthumous Hendrix singles to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached number 59.[5]

"Freedom" is now one of the more popular songs in the Hendrix catalogue and is included on several compilations. In 1997, it was used to lead off First Rays of the New Rising Sun, the most comprehensive attempt to present Hendrix's planned fourth studio album.[3]

Other releases of "Freedom" include:

Demos

• The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Record Plant, New York City, February 6, 1970[6]
• West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology – Record Plant, May 15, 1970[7]

Performances

• Isle of Wight (1971) – recorded August 31, 1970
• Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight (2002) – as above[8]
• Freedom: Atlanta Pop Festival (2015) – recorded July 4, 1970
• Live in Maui (2020) – recorded July 30, 1970

Compilations

• The Essential Jimi Hendrix (1978)
• Cornerstones: 1967–1970 (1990)
• Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix (1997)
• Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection (2001) – live version from Isle of Wight[9]

Notes

Citations

1. McDermott, Kramer & Cox 2009, p. 211.
2. Hendrix 2003, p. 62.
3. McDermott 1997, p. 5.
4. Others include "Dolly Dagger", "Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)", "In from the Storm", and "Straight Ahead". McDermott, Kramer, Cox; 2009, pages 207–208, 211–215.
5. "Jimi Hendrix: Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
6. McDermott 2000.
7. McDermott 2010.
8. McDermott 2002.
9. Loder 2001.

References

• Hendrix, Janie (2003). Jimi Hendrix: The Lyrics. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Hal Leonard. ISBN 0-634-04930-5.
• Loder, Kurt (2001). Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection (CD compilation booklet). Jimi Hendrix. Universal City, California: MCA Records. 066 112 603-2.
• McDermott, John (1997). First Rays of the New Rising Sun (CD booklet). Jimi Hendrix. Universal City, California: MCA Records.
• McDermott, John (2000). The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Box set booklet). Jimi Hendrix. Universal City, California: MCA Records. 08811 23162.
• McDermott, John (2002). Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight (DVD booklet). Jimi Hendrix. Santa Monica, California: MCA Records. OCLC 806443759. 088 170 341-9.
• McDermott, John; Kramer, Eddie; Cox, Billy (2009). Ultimate Hendrix. New York City: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-938-1.
• McDermott, John (2010). West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology (CD set booklet). Jimi Hendrix. New York City: Legacy. 88697769272.
• Shadwick, Keith (2003). Jimi Hendrix: Musician. San Francisco, California: Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-764-1.
• Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Cesar (1990). Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy. New York City: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-05861-6.