Sweet Freedom (Michael McDonald song)

"Sweet Freedom" is a song by Michael McDonald, and his last Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single's music video featured McDonald, along with actors Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, in the film Running Scared.[1]

"Sweet Freedom"
Single Cover
Single by Michael McDonald
from the album Sweet Freedom and Running Scared soundtrack
Released	June 1986
Recorded	1986
Genre	R&B, blue-eyed soul, soft rock, post-disco
Length	4:07 (radio mix) / 7:38 (12" version)
Label	MCA Records
Songwriter(s)	Rod Temperton
Producer(s)	Rod Temperton, Bruce Swedien, Richard Rudolph (credited as Dick Rudolph)
Michael McDonald singles chronology
"Lost in the Parade" (1985) "Sweet Freedom" (1986) "Our Love" (1986)

In addition to being featured on Running Scared's soundtrack, the song was featured on the 1986 re-release of McDonald's 1985 album No Lookin' Back.

Credits

• Lead vocals – Michael McDonald
• Backing vocals – Michael McDonald and Siedah Garrett
• Guitars – Paul Jackson Jr. and Michael Thompson
• Keyboards – Greg Phillinganes, Anthony Patler, Danny Sembello, Rod Temperton and Larry Williams.
• Synthesizer – Larry Williams
• Synclavier – Wells Christie
• Horns – David Boruff, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft, Bill Reichenbach and Larry Williams.
• Arrangements – Rod Temperton
• Producers – Bruce Swedien, Rod Temperton and Dick Rudolph.
• Recorded and Mixed by Bruce Swedien at Westlake Audio (Los Angeles, CA).

Charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Canada The Record Singles Chart[2]	25
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[3]	14
UK Singles (OCC)[4]	12
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[5]	4
US Billboard Hot 100[6]	7
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[7]	8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8]	17

Year-end chart (1986)	Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[9]	75

Safri Duo version

"Sweet Freedom"
Single by Safri Duo featuring Michael McDonald
from the album Episode II
Released	10 June 2002
Genre	World music, electronic
Length	3:23
Label	Universal
Songwriter(s)	Rod Temperton
Producer(s)	Safri Duo, Michael Parsberg
Safri Duo featuring Michael McDonald singles chronology
"Baya Baya" (2001) "Sweet Freedom" (2002) "Fallin' High" (2003)

In 2002, Danish electronic percussion duo Safri Duo covered the song featuring Michael McDonald. It was released in June as the fourth and final single from their debut album, Episode II.

Track listing

CD maxi

1. "Sweet Freedom" (Radio Version) - 3:23
2. "Sweet Freedom" (Tillmann Uhrmacher Remix) - 7:35
3. "Sweet Freedom" (Jan Driver Vocal Mix) - 7:41
4. "Sweet Freedom" (Extended) - 5:09

UK CD Single (Enhanced)[10]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Sweet Freedom (Radio Version)"	3.23
2.	"Sweet Freedom (Jan Driver Remix)"	6.30
3.	"Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song) (Radio Cut)"	3.03
4.	"Sweet Freedom (Video)"	3.34

Charts

Chart (2002)	Peak position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11]	50
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[12]	50
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[13]	3
Germany (Official German Charts)[14]	29
Italy (FIMI)[15]	39
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16]	20
Scotland (OCC)[17]	39
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[18]	2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19]	52
UK Singles (OCC)[20]	54

In popular culture

• On June 21, 2010, the song was played in an episode of the British television talk show The 5 O'Clock Show.
• The song is the culmination of the storyline of the online video series Yacht Rock.
• The song was performed in a 1987 episode of the children's music series Kids Incorporated.

References

1. "Songfacts". songfacts.com. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
2. Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
3. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0728." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
4. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
5. "Michael McDonald Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
6. "Michael McDonald Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
7. "Michael McDonald Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
8. "Michael McDonald Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
9. Nielsen Business Media, Inc (December 27, 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 98 (52): Y-21.
10. "Safri Duo Feat. Michael McDonald - Sweet Freedom". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
11. "Austriancharts.at – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
12. "Ultratop.be – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
13. "Ultratop.be – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" (in French). Ultratip.
14. "Offiziellecharts.de – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom". GfK Entertainment Charts.
15. "Italiancharts.com – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom". Top Digital Download.
16. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
17. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
18. "Spanishcharts.com – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom" Canciones Top 50.
19. "Swisscharts.com – Safri Duo feat. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom". Swiss Singles Chart.
20. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.