Free Me (album)

Free Me is the second solo studio album by English singer Emma Bunton. It was released on 9 February 2004 by 19 Recordings.[1] The album peaked at number seven on the UK Albums Chart and spawned three top-10 singles: "Free Me", "Maybe" and "I'll Be There". With this album, Bunton became the only former Spice Girl to have sold more copies of her second album than her first.

Free Me
Studio album by Emma Bunton
Released	9 February 2004
Recorded	2003
Studio	Sarm West, London[lower-alpha 1] Olympic, London[lower-alpha 2]
Genre	Pop
Length	45:30
Label	19
Producer	Yak Bondy Boo Dan Productions Cathy Dennis Simon Ellis Ray "Madman" Hedges Tim Lever Pete Lewinson Steve Lewinson Lipso Facto Mike Peden Mike Percy Fabien Waltmann
Emma Bunton chronology
A Girl Like Me (2001) Free Me (2004) Life in Mono (2006)
Alternative cover
US and Canadian cover
Singles from Free Me
"Free Me" Released: 26 May 2003 "Maybe" Released: 13 October 2003 "I'll Be There" Released: 26 January 2004 "Crickets Sing for Anamaria" Released: 31 May 2004

Background

In 2001, Bunton released her solo debut album A Girl Like Me through Virgin Records. It spent over 12 weeks inside the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number four and earning a gold certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It also produced her only solo chart-topper "What Took You So Long?", as well as the top-five singles "What I Am" and "Take My Breath Away", and the top-20 entry "We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight". When it came to her second album, her record company "came to me and said, 'Let's do a demo thing for the second album.' And I thought, 'Hold on a minute.' Not a lot of people know this, but I actually walked away from it. We put so much into it, and when they don't give you that support anymore, it's quite heartbreaking", says Bunton. "I said, 'Thank you very much for the demo idea, but I want to take this where I know people are going to be right behind me and work as hard as I do.'"[2]

Composition

The album was inspired by 1960s sounds, like bossa nova, motown and french pop.[1][3][4][5][6] The album was largely produced by Mike Peden and Yak Bondy, who have produced tracks for acts such as S Club 7 and Lucie Silvas. Other contributions on the album are courtesy of Cathy Dennis, Henry Binns, and Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi. The album was released via 19 Recordings, which is a division of 19 Management, the company owned by Simon Fuller. Bunton says of the inspiration behind the album: "I've been listening to Motown since I was about five, and just loving it, being very passionate about the fact how it was all done live, and I thought, 'Hold on, I always talk about the fact I love '60s and Motown', so I thought I'd take elements of it, bits of it, and put it into my album, so that's exactly what I did." However, Bunton's songs on this album mainly started life as a simple scribble. She says, "I have a little book beside my bed, where I put all my ideas for songs and stuff. It's kind of weird, 'cuz usually when I'm having a dream, I'll wake up, and I'll write something down, then I'll look at it again and think, 'God, what was I dreaming about?'"

Singles

The album's lead single, "Free Me", was released in May 2003. The song immediately picked up airplay, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart.

"Maybe" was released as the second single in October 2003, and also gained extensive airplay throughout the United Kingdom, peaking at number six.

In January 2004, "I'll Be There" was released as the third single from the album. Like its two predecessors, it performed well on the charts, peaking at number seven on the UK chart.

Later in the year, in May, "Crickets Sing for Anamaria", was released as the fourth single. The song peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.

In the United States, both "Free Me" and "Maybe" were dance club regulars, reaching numbers four and six on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, respectively.[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
BBC Music	positive[8]
Blender	[9]
The Daily Telegraph	positive[10]
musicOMH	mixed[11]
Rolling Stone	[12]
USA Today	[13]

The album was acclaimed by critics for its catchy and fun use of sounds from the Motown and the 1960s era. BBC Music says the album is "light and frothy, like a good cappuccino, but this time it's with the sugar taken out".[8] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave a positive review saying, "This music is stylish without being flashy, thanks in large part to the charmingly tuneful, sturdy songs (all but one bearing a writing credit from Emma). While Bunton may still have a small, sweet voice, she's developed a stronger presence on record, giving this album not just a face, but a fetching persona that's hard to resist".[1]

According to Lynsey Hanley from newspaper The Daily Telegraph, Bunton's new musical direction was "a brave move, given that high-sheen, saucy R&B is currently the main mode of expression for female pop performers, but Emma's lilting vocals and only faintly suggestive image suit this album's less aggressive style".[10]

"The album's got charm, grace and it's fun", said Q magazine. Marie Claire magazine said it "mixes up bossa nova with James Bond soundtrack" and that "Emma resembles a seductive Brigitte Bardot".[14]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Free Me"	Emma Bunton Hélène Muddiman Mike Peden	Peden	4:28
2.	"Maybe"	Bunton Yak Bondy	Peden	3:43
3.	"I'll Be There"	Bunton Muddiman Peden	Peden	3:23
4.	"Tomorrow"	Bunton Bondy	Bondy	3:55
5.	"Breathing"	Bunton Henry Binns Yoyo Olugbo	Boo Dan Productions	4:00
6.	"Crickets Sing for Anamaria"	Marcos Valle Ray Gilbert	Peden	2:46
7.	"No Sign of Life"	Bunton Simon Ellis Steve Lee	Ellis	3:38
8.	"Who the Hell Are You"	Bunton Ray Hedges Nigel Butler	Ray "Madman" Hedges	3:18
9.	"Lay Your Love on Me"	Bunton Cathy Dennis	Dennis Fabien Waltmann	3:23
10.	"Amazing" (featuring Luis Fonsi)	Bunton Peden Muddiman Nina Marander	Peden	4:06
11.	"You Are"	Bunton Tim Lever Mike Percy	Lever Percy	3:46
12.	"Something So Beautiful"	Bunton Steve Lewinson Pete Lewinson	S. Lewinson P. Lewinson Lipso Facto^[a]	3:46
Total length:				45:30

US edition bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
13.	"Free Me" (Dr. Octavo Seduction Remix)	Bunton Muddiman Peden	Peden Dr. Octavo^[a]^[b]	3:38
14.	"Free Me" (Full Intention Freed Up Remix)	Bunton Muddiman Peden	Peden Michael Gray^[b] Jon Pearn^[b]	4:01

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies an additional producer
• ^{^[b]} signifies a remixer

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Free Me.[15]

Musicians

• Emma Bunton – lead vocals (all tracks); backing vocals (track 9)
• Charlie Russell – programming (tracks 1–3, 6); live drums (tracks 1–3); drums, live programming (track 10)
• Mike Peden – bass (tracks 1, 10); percussion (track 2); keyboards (tracks 3, 6)
• Graham Kearns – guitars (tracks 1, 2, 9, 10); bass guitar (track 6)
• Helene Muddiman – keyboards (track 1); backing vocals (tracks 1, 3)
• Martin Hayles – keyboards (tracks 1, 3)
• Nick Ingman – orchestra arrangement, orchestra conducting (tracks 1–4, 7, 10)
• Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader (tracks 1, 3, 7)
• Paul Turner – bass (track 2); guitar (track 6)
• Pete Gordeno – keyboards (tracks 2, 6); piano (tracks 2, 10)
• Yak Bondy – keyboards (track 4)
• Ralph Salmins – drums (track 4)
• Frank Ricotti – percussion (track 4); vibes (track 6)
• Paul Clarvis – percussion (track 4)
• Steve Pearce – bass (track 4)
• Hugh Burns – guitar (track 4)
• John Parricelli – guitar (track 4)
• Friðrik Karlsson – guitar (track 4)
• Richard Studt – orchestra leader (track 4)
• Allan Simpson – guitar (track 5)
• Pete Trotman – bass guitar (track 5)
• Simon Clarke – flute (track 5)
• Siemy Di – percussion (track 5)
• Alastair Gavin – string arrangement (track 5)
• Danny Cummings – percussion (track 6)
• Phil Todd – flute (track 6)
• Simon Ellis – all keyboards, programming (track 7)
• Paul Gendler – guitar (track 7)
• John Thompson – bass guitar (track 7)
• Brett Morgan – drums (track 7)
• Lisa Daniels – backing vocals (track 7)
• Ray "Madman" Hedges – arrangement (track 8)
• Nigel Butler – arrangement (track 8)
• Fabien Waltmann – programming, guitars (track 9)
• Nicky Brown – piano, Rhodes (track 9)
• Cathy Dennis – backing vocals (track 9)
• Luis Fonsi – vocals (track 10)
• Henrik Linnemann – flute (track 11)
• Tim Lever – all other instruments (track 11)
• Mike Percy – all other instruments (track 11)
• Toni Leo – backing vocals (track 11)
• Alex Clarke – additional programming (track 12)
• Steve Lewinson – all instruments (except piano and additional guitar), programming (track 12)
• Pete Lewinson – all instruments (except piano and additional guitar), programming (track 12)
• Paul "Harry" Harris – piano (track 12)
• Ian Lewinson – additional guitar (track 12)
• London Session Orchestra – orchestra (track 12)
• Simon Hale – orchestra arrangement, orchestra conducting (track 12)

Technical

• Mike Peden – production (tracks 1–3, 6, 10); mixing (tracks 3, 10)
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (tracks 1, 2)
• Martin Hayles – recording (tracks 1–3, 6); engineering (track 10)
• Isobel Griffiths Ltd. – orchestra contractor (tracks 1–4, 7, 10)
• Richard Dowling – mastering
• Yak Bondy – production (track 4)
• Dan Frampton – mixing (tracks 4, 7)
• Steve Price – recording engineering (track 4)
• César Gimeno – engineering assistance (track 4)
• Boo Dan Productions – production, mixing (track 5)
• Simon Ellis – production (track 7)
• Tony Taverner – engineering (track 7)
• Jim Brumby – Pro Tools (track 7)
• Ray "Madman" Hedges – production, mixing (track 8)
• Nigel Butler – mixing (track 8)
• Mark Emmitt – mixing (track 8)
• Cathy Dennis – production (track 9)
• Fabien Waltmann – production, additional recording (track 9)
• Steve Fitzmaurice – mixing (track 9)
• Richard Wilkinson – mixing assistance (track 9)
• Keith Uddin – recording (track 9)
• Phil Bodger – mixing (track 10)
• Tim Lever – production (track 11)
• Mike Percy – production (track 11)
• Dan Panton – engineering assistance (track 11)
• Steve Lewinson – production (track 12)
• Pete Lewinson – production (track 12)
• Lipso Facto – additional production (track 12)
• The Asian Sensation – mixing (track 12)

Artwork

• Yacht Associates – art direction
• Darren S. Feist – photography
• Roger Dean – architectural photography
• Core Digital – scanning, retouching

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2004) Peak position Scottish Albums (OCC)[16] 9 UK Albums (OCC)[17] 7 Chart (2005) Peak position US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[18] 30

Year-end charts Chart (2004) Position UK Albums (OCC)[19] 134

Certifications and sales

salesref=[20]

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[21]	Gold	140,000^^
United States (RIAA)[22]		17,000[23]
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Label
United Kingdom	9 February 2004	19
Australia	19 July 2004	Universal
Brazil	20 September 2004
Germany	21 January 2005
United States	25 January 2005	19

Notes

1. Tracks 1–3 and 6
2. Track 9

References

1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Free Me – Emma Bunton". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
2. Sexton, Paul (1 February 2004). "Emma Bunton: Bringing up baby". The Independent. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
3. "REVIEW: "FREE ME" BY EMMA BUNTON (CD, 2004)". Pop Rescue. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
4. "Ex-Spice Girls grava música de Marcos Valle". Folha de S.Paulo. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
5. "Ex-WHERE ARE THEY NOW? EMMA BUNTON – 'BABY SPICE'". Talk About Pop Music. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
6. "Albums from the Lost and Found: Free Me". The Great Albums. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
7. "Emma Bunton's biggest solo hits: What I Am and Maybe". Heart. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
8. Top of the Pops (13 February 2004). "Free Me – Emma Bunton (Review)". BBC Music. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
9. Andrew Harrison. "Emma Bunton – Free Me". Blender. Archived from the original on 5 April 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
10. Hanley, Lynsey (9 February 2004). "CD reviews: Norah Jones and more". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
11. Ahmad, Azeem (9 February 2004). "Emma Bunton – Free Me". musicOMH. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
12. Walters, Barry (27 January 2005). "Rolling Stone Review: Free Me – Emma Bunton". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 10 December 2006. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
13. Gardner, Elysa (31 January 2005). "Emma, Free Me". USA Today. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
14. "Música de Marcos Valle é destaque de CD de ex-spice girl" (in Portuguese). BBC Brasil. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
15. Free Me (liner notes). Emma Bunton. 19 Recordings. 2004. 986615-8.CS1 maint: others (link)
16. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
17. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
18. "Emma Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
19. "UK Year-End Charts 2004" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. p. 4. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
20. "Review: Emma Bunton - Free Me". Ciao.co.uk. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
21. "British album certifications – Emma Bunton – Free Me". British Phonographic Industry. 28 May 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2018. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Free Me in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
22. "American album certifications – Emma Bunton – Free Me". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
23. Caulfield, Keith (18 November 2006). "Ask Billboard: The Spice Is Right". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2018.