I've never understood the negative reaction some people hold toward this song... I've always loved it since the first time I first heard it on the 1999 album way back when. I love the cleaned up boot version of it from Prince's birthday performance even more... Can someone explain to me what in the world there is to not like about this song? I don't get it... Great song with lyrics more applicable today than ever...

Didn't like it then and still dont. Worst song on 99 for me. Cheesy cheesy cheese cheese.

I like it, always have.

to purplethunder,I am with you - the track from "1999".. I love this song, and I've always loved it...

this is really great - same feeling as the later "Purple Rain" title track.

the other song "Free" from Larry Graham's GCS2000 album, THIS is terrible.

.

[Edited 3/7/13 1:29am]

Fonkyman said:

Didn't like it then and still dont. Worst song on 99 for me. Cheesy cheesy cheese cheese.

Yes, I agree. It just seems like a fairly weak song to me. I do like some of the bass bits and I can listen to the song but it is the weakest song on 1999 by a wide margin. It just strikes me as a very sappy and naive song.

Supposedly both "Free" and "Moonbeam Levels" were in contention for a spot on the album and I would have much preferred for the latter to have been included.

The lyrics are simple and naive, but I think they are supposed to be that way... In the context of Prince's instrumentation and the way he uses his voice, they become plaintive and evocative, like a lullabye sung to an infant to reassure the child against the nightmares that lie outside the illusion of safety (the sound of marching boots)... And then the song matures from that point as a call to action (wake up, children!) against those who threaten someone's freedom--turning into an emotional anthem against those who would take that away (check the Prince screams! LOL)... At least that's the take I've always had on that song, and listening to it again, I still have that reaction...

Some may call that "cheese," but I call it a good song by Prince...

[Edited 3/7/13 2:16am]

I kind of like it, and if you play it loud it is quite powerful, but what grinds our gears is one thing... A much better song called Moonbeam levels was axed from the album in place of it.

Moonbeam Levels is one of those Prince unreleased nuggets that people just love to hear. If you have not heard it, I suggest you do. Many feel that this song should have gone on 1999 instead.

Same thing happened on Purple Rain, The Beautiful Ones which is an excellent song was put on the album instead of an even better song called Electric Intercourse.

Adorecream said:

I kind of like it, and if you play it loud it is quite powerful, but what grinds our gears is one thing... A much better song called Moonbeam levels was axed from the album in place of it.

Moonbeam Levels is one of those Prince unreleased nuggets that people just love to hear. If you have not heard it, I suggest you do. Many feel that this song should have gone on 1999 instead.

Same thing happened on Purple Rain, The Beautiful Ones which is an excellent song was put on the album instead of an even better song called Electric Intercourse.

I've heard Moonbeam Levels and Electric Intercourse, which are excellent, but that doesn't take away from my appreciation for Free.

If it was instrumental I don't think it'd be much stronger. Personally speaking.

I'm not gonna start on TBO Or the other tunes, gorgeous the lot of em for me. If we all had our way 99 an PR would've been triple albums and prolly not as good as a result?

Off topic, but I just have to add OMG the infectious urgency of Erotic City on the birthday boot! Swoon! Don't think he can't still do that--I saw and heard an angry urgent insturmental encore of Bambi in Oakland... I love angry urgent Prince... Come back!

SoulAlive said:

I love "Free"! I never understood why it is so unpopular on this site. it's an excellent,well-written ballad with a great message.

Exactly! Glad someone else sees and hears what I hear.

"1999" was my first album "delving into Prince...

I love the album and I think the weakest song on the album is the last one ... "international lover" ... to me I guess it was "xrated" and too simple a ballad ..

"free" and "something in the water" to me are the quiet gems on the album ... altho "DMSR " and "lets pretend we are married" are close too ...

Free is a great song with a relatable message but it gets hated on because it knocked Moonbeam Levels off the album. Moonbeam Levels is a great track but two songs about nuclear armageddon on the same album would've been too much. Probably why it never made it as a b-side, 1999 (the title track) already touched upon the subject matter and was a funkier dance track.

"Free" used to be my 2nd favourite song on the album, back when I only liked his ballads and rock songs. Luckily I now feel the funk and love the dancier tracks, so it is about my 5th or 6th fave now. Still absolutely love it, but I completely overplayed it in my younger years.

I always loved Free

shadows of Purple Rain, love the guitar solo, Jill Jones, Lisa, Vanity, Wendy on vocals

purple passion

Love Free and always have. Whenever I hear that it is the throwaway from 1999 I cringe. The throwaway is obviously International Lover, the only non-great song on the set...

In my not-so-humble opinion, of course!

HonestMan13 said:

Free is a great song with a relatable message but it gets hated on because it knocked Moonbeam Levels off the album. Moonbeam Levels is a great track but two songs about nuclear armageddon on the same album would've been too much. Probably why it never made it as a b-side, 1999 (the title track) already touched upon the subject matter and was a funkier dance track.

Free is actually a lovely counterpoint to the apocalyptic tone of 1999 - in that it's hopeful and uplifting.

ColAngus said:

"1999" was my first album "delving into Prince...

I love the album and I think the weakest song on the album is the last one ... "international lover" ... to me I guess it was "xrated" and too simple a ballad ..

"free" and "something in the water" to me are the quiet gems on the album ... altho "DMSR " and "lets pretend we are married" are close too ...

djThunderfunk said:

Love Free and always have. Whenever I hear that it is the throwaway from 1999 I cringe. The throwaway is obviously International Lover, the only non-great song on the set...

In my not-so-humble opinion, of course!

to you too.

It's always been on the brilliant list for me. Like Garth said, 'It makes me feel kiiinda funny'

SoulAlive said:

There are no "throwaways" on the 1999 album. that album is perfect from beginning to end

Right. Except for International Lover...

Underappreciated because it stands out on the album, so it's kind of weak link in between all the sexysynthelectrofunkpopfuckery.

International Lover is a seduction ballad in the mold of Do Me, Baby - but Free is not a love song - not a 'sexy' love song - it's a utopian hippy drippy song, from the same well as other much-loved songs to come later like Graffiti Bridge and Strays Of The World - maybe Free is the first of these?

I like the song, but I'm just sayin' - it's pretty obvious why it's viewed the way it is.

djThunderfunk said:

SoulAlive said:

There are no "throwaways" on the 1999 album. that album is perfect from beginning to end

Right. Except for International Lover...

Double to you!

purplethunder3121 said:

The lyrics are simple and naive, but I think they are supposed to be that way... In the context of Prince's instrumentation and the way he uses his voice, they become plaintive and evocative, like a lullabye sung to an infant to reassure the child against the nightmares that lie outside the illusion of safety (the sound of marching boots)... And then the song matures from that point as a call to action (wake up, children!) against those who threaten someone's freedom--turning into an emotional anthem against those who would take that away (check the Prince screams! LOL)... At least that's the take I've always had on that song, and listening to it again, I still have that reaction...

Some may call that "cheese," but I call it a good song by Prince...

[Edited 3/7/13 2:16am]

I've always disliked "Free" because of the lyrics (mainly the chorus), but you almost changed my mind. I wonder why nobody ever defends some of Prince's current lyrics this eloquently?

SoulAlive said:

There are no "throwaways" on the 1999 album. that album is perfect from beginning to end

Hell yeah.. I agree with you, SoulAlive.

the 1999 album is 100% fantastic,

no weak song.. imho.

rialb said:

djThunderfunk said:

Right. Except for International Lover...

Double to you!

Treble that.