What does freedom mean to you?

When do you feel free?

Freedom is certainly one of the most important concepts in life, and it can refer to a myriad of things. So it’s sometimes hard to define it.

However, music about freedom can show you how different people see it.

And it can inspire you to think about what being free really means.

Therefore, we’ve made a selection of the 30 best songs about freedom.

We’ll show you lesser-known tunes as well as some iconic lyrics about freedom.

30 Songs About Freedom

1. Rudimental and Emeli Sande – “Free”

Let’s begin with one of the best modern songs about freedom.

It’s about finding your own way in life.

And it’s incredibly liberating and inspiring. It sounds like an ode to life and freedom.

“See, whoa, c’est la vie
Maybe something’s wrong with me
But, whoa, at least I am free.”

2. Anthony Hamilton and Elayna Boynton – “Freedom”

When it comes to movie soundtracks, this is arguably one of the best songs about freedom.

It’s featured in “Django Unchained”, Tarantino’s film about a freed slave who travels across America to free his wife.

“Well I am looking for freedom
Looking for freedom
And to find it, may take everything I have.”

3. Pharrell Williams – “Freedom”     

Pharrell Williams is known for writing catchy viral hits.

And “Freedom” is definitely one of his most powerful tracks.

He dedicated it to refugees fleeing to Europe and therefore tackled the important issue that’s still very relevant.

In one of the interviews, he said: “We have to be open. And it’s a tough conversation, but America is built on immigrants. We wouldn’t have a country without them.”

“Your first name is Free
Last name is Dom
We choose to believe
In where we’re from.“

4. Nina Simone – “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free”

This is an unforgettable classic.

Nina’s soothing voice, soulful atmosphere, thoughtful lyrics…

After all, she was a civil rights activist, a musical icon, and a huge inspiration.

“I’ll Tell You What Freedom Is to Me. No Fear”, said Simone after being asked what freedom means to her.

“I wish I could share all the love that’s in my heart
Remove all the bars that keep us apart
I wish you could know what it means to be me
Then you’d see and agree
That every man should be free.”

5. George Michael – “Freedom”

Are you ready for the most iconic song about freedom?

No matter how many times we listen to it, George Michael’s “Freedom” always feels fresh and motivating.

It’s a timeless feel-good hit.

“All we have to do now
Is take these lies and make them true somehow
All we have to see
Is that I don’t belong to you and you don’t belong to me.”

6. Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar – “Freedom”

Beyoncé has a lot of songs that could be described as freedom songs (“Formation”, “Single Ladies”, “Flawless”…)

However, nothing does it like her album “Lemonade” and its 10th track “Freedom.”

It’s an empowering ode to black women.

In one of the live performances, she dedicated it to black lives lost to police brutality.  

“I’ma wade, I’ma wave through the waters
Tell the tide, “Don’t move”
I’ma riot, I’ma riot through your borders
Call me bulletproof. “

7. Queen – “I Want To Break Free”

Lyrically, Queen’s iconic song “I Want To Break Free,” tells the story of someone who feels trapped in a relationship.

However, the song turned out to be a personal freedom anthem, and it’s undeniably one of the most popular songs of freedom ever written.

“I want to break free
I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies
You’re so self satisfied I don’t need you.”

8. ABBA – “Ode To Freedom”

Although ABBA’s popular hits sound incredibly liberating, they decided to literally write the “Ode To Freedom.”

The song was released in 2021 on ABBA’s comeback album “Voyage.”

With “Ode To Freedom”, the iconic group showed their calm and, genre-wise, almost classical side.

“I would like to think that freedom is
More than just a word
In the grand and lofty language
Odes to freedom often go unheard.”

9. Lana Del Rey – “Get Free”

Speaking of liberating songs, Lana Del Rey has recorded a handful of them.

And if “Get Free” sounds a little too familiar, it’s probably because of the song’s similarity with Radiohead’s “Creep.”

On the other hand, the song is authentically and unapologetically Lana.

“Sometimes it feels like I’ve got a war in my mind
I want to get off, but I keep ridin’ the ride
I never really noticed that I had to decide
To play someone’s game or live my own life.”

10. Major Lazer and Amber of the Dirty Projectors – “Get Free”

Major Lazer released a song of the same name in 2012.

And it somehow feels like it was yesterday; “Get Free” sounds like a fresh, captivating tune and it also raises awareness about the issue of poverty.

“Look at me
I just can’t believe
What they’ve done to me
We could never get free
I just wanna be (I just wanna be).”

11. Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Free Bird”

This Lynyrd Skynyrd classic is one of the upbeat, energetic rock songs about freedom.

It’s like a tribute to wanderlust and living free.

“If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see.”

12. Morcheeba – “The Sea”

Morcheeba’s Skye knows a thing or two about what it means to live free.

Her song “The Sea” will transport you to somewhere by the sea, where the only thing you can feel is a gentle breeze and the warmth of the sand…

“I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free.”

13. The Velvet Underground – “I’m Set Free”

Do you want to set free?

What would that mean for you?

The Velvet Underground’s music can motivate you to think about these questions.

They are not easy, but they might eventually set you free.

“And now I’m set free
I’m set free
I’m set free to find a new illusion.”

14. Scorpions – “Wind of Change”

Many people agree that “Wind of Change” is one of the best songs about freedom.

Well, considering the message of the song, that makes perfect sense.

Scorpions’ signature song talks about the desire to live in peace while making references to significant historical events.

“The future’s in the air
Can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change.”

15. Tom Petty – “Free Fallin'”

“Free Fallin'” is definitely one of the most famous songs with free in the title.

It was released as an opening track from Tom Petty’s debut solo album in 1989.

And it’s still a beloved tune.

“I wanna glide down over Mulholland
I wanna write her name in the sky
I’m gonna free fall out into nothin’
Gonna leave this world for a while.”

16. Nelly Furtado – “I’m Like a Bird”

Nelly Furtado’s most iconic hit is a song about being free and independent.

In the song, she warns her partner that she might eventually just fly away.

“I’m like a bird
I’ll only fly away
I don’t know where my soul is (soul is)
I don’t know where my home is.”

17. Jon Batiste – “Freedom”

Jon Batiste’s 2021 track should definitely go on your freedom songs list.

It’s upbeat, catchy, and positive. Let the music take over.

“When I move my body just like this
I don’t know why
But I feel like freedom
I hear a song that takes me back
And I let go
With so much freedom.”

18. Jungle – “Keep Moving”

It’s true, music can make you feel free, confident, and fearless.

And this energetic Jungle tune is one of the examples.

Next time you feel down or insecure, turn up the volume and just keep moving.

“Unless you understand it and find out what to do
Don’t think about it, I’ll be running with you
If I can’t understand it, I’ll find another way
Keep moving, keep moving.”

19. LEISURE – “Feeling Free”

“Feeling Free” has a dreamy, laid-back vibe.

It has everything you need to feel completely free.

“Feeling free
I feel like cuttin’ loose.”

20. Alt-J – “Left Hand Free”

This quirky indie gem will motivate you to go out and do whatever makes you feel free.

Sometimes you just need to take it easy and let your mind wander.

“Ain’t shady baby, I’m hot
Like the prodigal son
Pick a petal, eenie, meenie, minie, mo
And flower you’re the chosen one.”

21. M.I.A. – “Borders”

“Freedom, ‘I’dom, ‘Me’dom
Where’s your ‘We’dom?
This world needs a brand new ‘Re’dom
We’dom – the key
We’dom the key’dom to life!”

At the beginning of “Borders”, M.I.A. announces what the song will be about.

It’s a powerful depiction of the 2015 European migrant crisis.

And it’s still a relevant song that needs more attention.

22. Beirut – “Elephant Gun”

Beirut’s “Elephant Gun” is a type of song that will encourage you to enjoy your life and appreciate the little things.

Ironically, the lyrics refer to war, refugee camps, and all of the things that are the opposite of freedom.

“Far from home, elephant gun
Let’s take them down one by one
We’ll lay it down, it’s not been found, it’s not around.”

23. LP – “Into The Wild”

“Somebody left the gate open
You know we got lost on the way
Come save us a runaway train
Gone insane.”

This song literally sounds like freedom.

It’s one of those hopeful, uplifting songs that can help you get through the day. You can almost feel the wind and hear the sounds of nature.

Although it’s not one of the LP’s most popular tunes, it definitely deserves to be on every freedom playlist.

24. Natasha Beddingfield – “Weightless”

“Weightless” is also one of the pop songs about freedom.

It will remind you to let go of all the things that hold you down.

It’s true, you should be focused on finding your own freedom. Unfortunately, it’s much easier said than done.

But of course, it’s not impossible, and songs like “Weightless” will make you believe that anything is possible.

“The sky is the limit
And I just wanna flow
Free as a spirit on a journey of hope
Cut the strings and let me go
I’m weightless, I’m weightless.”

25. London Grammar – “Big Picture”

There is something very liberating in looking at the bigger picture.

We’re all just trying to do our best, achieve our goals, and enjoy the journey. And that’s alright.

The energy of London Grammar’s “Big Picture” will help you look at the world from a similar perspective. And it will help you appreciate it.

“Only now do I see the big picture
But I swear that these scars are fine
Only you could’ve hurt me in this perfect way tonight.”

26. Bob Sinclair – “Freedom”

This is hands down one of the most dancey songs with freedom in the lyrics.

And maybe that’s exactly what you need right now.

“Freedom to joke
Freedom to hope
Freedom to win
Freedom to be in.”

27. Cream – “I Feel Free”

“Feel when I dance with you
We move like the sea
You, you’re all I want to know.”

Cream’s “I Feel Free” is simple but somehow very empowering.

Isn’t feeling free the best feeling in the world?

Well, life can often get in our way. But sometimes, we are the ones who stop ourselves from being free. And things can be pretty simple…

28. The Rolling Stones – “I’m Free”

One thing is for sure: The Rolling Stones’ music will always make us feel free.

And their song about being free is no exception.

They released it in 1965 on their album “Shine A Light.”

“I’m free to do what I want any old time
I’m free to do what I want any old time
So love me, hold me
Love me, hold me
But I’m free any old time to get what I want.”

29. En Vogue – “Free Your Mind”

Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

“Free Your Mind” was released in 1992, and in a way, it was very progressive.

The song suggests letting go of all superficial, unjust, and prejudicial opinions.

And they were right: free your mind and the rest will follow!

“I wear tight clothing, high heeled shoes
It doesn’t mean that I’m a prostitute no, no!
I like rap music, wear hip-hop clothes
That doesn’t mean that I’m out sellin’ dope no, no, no!”

30. Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Redemption Song”

Bob Marley is undoubtedly one of the biggest inspirations in music history.

He was always advocating for freedom, peace, and unity.  

And “Redemption Song” is an anthem of all these things.

It’s a call to free your mind, and that’s why it’s also a perfect ending to our list of the best songs about freedom.

“Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
‘Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs.”

Final Thoughts

Freedom is one of the most common themes in music.

And probably the most important one.

Although most of the songs we picked portray freedom as an emotion, the concept of freedom is much more than that.

It’s a goal we all need to work on: to create a free and equal world.

We still have a long way to go, but making small changes is a good start.  

And all of these songs about freedom can be a great inspiration.   

Finally, as Robert Frost said, “Freedom lies in being bold.”

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