Customer Reviews

Free to Be You & Me

5 star:		(228)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I love this record. I remember listening to it and watching a movie in elementary school at least 22 years ago and really THINKING about the messages in songs like "William Wants a Doll". Anything that inspires deep philosophical thought in a 7 year old is amazing. Later I came across this record when I was 17, brought it home and cried while listening to it over and over again. If you grew up in America in the 70's it's a little piece of your childhood. It's also amazing to think about how far we've come and where we got stuck trying to make this world a better place for all kids. I took the album with me to college and it was a favorite with everyone, men and women. I remember a guy on my floor said something about how lucky we were to grow up in a generation that began to question gender sterotypes. I just bought this CD for my nephew, as much as I love it I'm kind of sad that the messages are still pertinant nearly 30 years later.

I think it's funny that so many reviewers who didn't like this album (and yes in the 70's they were albums) refer to those of us who DO give high reviews as hippies. I have news for you. Children of the 70s were not hippies, their parents were. I was born in the early 70s, my teenage years were in the 80s and my young adulthood was in the 90s. I really don't qualify as a hippie in any way, shape or form.
Having said that, I still have my old album, which I saved all these years because this was my absolute favorite album of all time! (I no longer have a record player, but the album lives on!) I loved these songs so much as a child. I remember the movie we used to watch in school. They are such wonderful memories. Twenty something years later, I found the cd and purchased it immediately. I now sing and play these songs for my baby. True, the songs are somewhat dated. The 70s were very big on feminism and equality - but is that such a bad message? Plus, as a child, I didn't pay attention to the message, just to the silliness and the catchy tunes. I had no idea who Alan Alda, Carol Channing, and Marlo Thomas were. When I sing these songs to my son now, it's not becaue I want to raise a budding feminist, but because I loved it so much and I would love to share my fond memories. And if he doesn't enjoy it as much as I did, that's ok too.

PS - for other 30-somethings who want to relive another childhood memory - check out the School House Rock series (DVDs, Cd's etc)... another cheesy 70s tool to educate our children about grammar, science, politics, etc. (I'm sort of embarassed to admit this but most of what I know about how a bill is passed through Congress comes from the "I'm just a bill" song.)

The music from Free to Be was the best music that my kids listened to as they were growing up. If you're interested in a cd that shows children how there are lots of different ways to be special, this is the cd for you. It's such a positive role model and it's so much fun to sing along with, too. I was watching Inside the Actor's Studio and when he asked Gwyneth Paltrow if she had any actors or actresses that she loved when she was little, she smiled and said that she really didn't, that she spent lots of time in her room singing along with her Free to Be, You and Me record. My kids did, too.

"Free to be...." should be a yard-sale trifle, too corny for consideration as anything other than baby-boomer nostalgia.

If only...

We live in a time when the word "free" is subject to daily, fanciful redefinition, and even a cartoon sponge arouses suspicion.

The gentle lessons of "Free to Be..." are more relevant than ever. And they're political dynamite, as proved by the nasty reviews seen occasionally below.

Get this disc to remember. Get it for your kids, none of whom may ever have the luxury of taking tolerance for granted, as some of us did in an abbreviated era when cultural moments like "Free to Be..." helped heal the past, and made the future seem infinitely bright.

Belated cheers to Marlo and all participating artists. At this point in our decline and fall, I've begun to take down names...

This is the first record I remember ever owning, sometime around 1983 or 4. I played it almost daily on my tan and orange Fisher Price record player...and enjoyed all of it, except maybe the Housework and Girl Land tracks. Most of the messages went right over my head; yes I understood what most of the songs were about but I was too young to grasp the real meanings. But even as a five or something year old, I loved the music. I dont remember how old I was when I put the record away for good though.
About two weeks ago, I was going through my vinyl (being a huge fan of Classic Rock, I own stacks and stacks of vinyl LPs from flea markets and used record stores) and I found my old Free To Be...You and Me record, complete with taped-up jacket and sticker on the record label indicating which was the A side. I immediately popped it on my 4 year old Kenwood turntable, plugged in the headphones, and started smiling as soon as I heard the banjo-like intro to the title track. I sat on my bed and listened to the album all the way through...and it sounded ten times better than I ever remembered. At age 24, I can now correctly interpret all those messages in every track, and I now appreciate Housework, and actually LIKE Girl Land.
Standout Tracks:
Free To Be You And Me....this song is just inspiring..the best. Awesome awesome singing by The New Seekers, and the music just grooves all the way through
Its Alright To Cry....beautiful piano track
Williams Doll...great singing by Alan Alda and Marlo Thomas
Girl Land...come on, its Shirley Jones! Yes the track does sound a bit scary and cynical, but listen to it again and note Jack Cassidy as the carnival barker sounds incredibly silly. Also note the last verse...and soon in a park that was girl land before, youll do what you like and youll be who you are....people who are giving the song a bad rap should listen again. Great carnival music track too!
Glad To Have A Friend Like You....The lovely Marlo Thomas at her best. She conveys the warmth and excitement the song needs. Upbeat and catchy, the music also grooves. I especially like the little vibraphone and Wurlitzer piano parts that are tastefully tossed in the mix.
Also to the reviewers who say Housework conveys negativity..listen again. The writer is simply being honest, thats all. Saying, OK, this is how it is, but heres how to make it better. Somebody further back said that all the songs sound whiny. Which ones? Even the tracks that sound negative Always end with a positive message or even happy ending. This is done for a reason, folks. Life is not all fun and games all the time; we deal with many negative issues on a regular basis. Marlos record is addressing some of these issues that mostly kids face (or will be facing in the future) and giving us an idea on how to improve them. And ya know what? They are so true. At 24 years old, I am actually getting more meaning out of the record now than I was when I was five. I cant wait to share this with my nieces and nephews. Theyll get the CDs; I am keeping my old record hee hee.
I actually taught myself to play some of those songs on the piano over the course of the last couple weeks.
You can also buy the CD and the Book at Borders bookstores. This record is something every kid needs to hear. It stresses independence, individuality, and teaches you to just be you. It seems these elements are sadly lacking in most kids today..being cool and following the crowd are more important than these things listed above. Id like to see this CD remastered with a few extra bonus tracks. This is not outdated music...good tunes are still good tunes 31 years later. A much nicer alternative to those silly Barney videos...and Id love to write to Ms. Thomas and tell her how much I appreciate her record!!!

As so many others have said, this album was just so cool when I was a child (yes, I had an LP too!) and it is still as cool today. I was listening to it last night for the first time in many years, and I almost had to pull off the road, I was laughing so hard. That "Housework" track was never my favorite as a child, but now that I am older and have my own place with my fiance, I know why I always expect him to help out when the house needs cleaning up.

And I like one of the messages in "When I Grow Up;" that "I don't care if I'm pretty at all/.../I like what I look like/..." That more women would recite these lines while being confronted with those magazines like Cosmo and Ladies' Home Journal--where you're never *quite* pretty or thin enough. That song is great self-esteem for girls and women.

Truly awesome--and I thank the album's creators for giving me this view of life at a young age!

I was a kid in the 70s, and would listen to this, well an LP album back then, for hours. As a matter of fact, at 37 years of age I can still recite "William Wants a Doll" sung by Alan Alda. Although the music may be a bit dated, my niece of 4-years probably won't care as the music is pretty catchy. Definately a good resource to teach younger children the value of acceptance and to premptively dismiss notions of steriotypical behaviour between boys and girls.

My mother bought this album before I was born and I grew up listening and singing along with it so much that the LP finally wore out! I just saw a Lifetime program about Marlo Thomas and this album was mentioned, bringing back many wonderful memories. Imagine my surprise when I discovered this album is still available! I listened to the short audio files and I can still remember all the words and I haven't listened to this in years! The music is great, the messages are good and the skits are hilarious - escpecially Boy Meets Girl. This nearly 26 year old Peter Pan has asked his mother for a special birthday gift - this CD!!! I am also going to buy a copy for my two beautiful God-Daughters - this album is better than anything Barney or the Teletubbies ever dreamed about bringing to market (and it isn't annoying either!)!

I just ordered this CD and listened to it start to finish. Like some other reviewers here, I cried and was deeply touched by many of these songs. I was 2 when this album came out and remember hearing it throughout my childhood at different times. Its message is timeless, though the album's positive, progressive message shines through with a radiance that is no less dim nearly 30 years later. On the album's liner notes, Gloria Steinem expresses regret (her only one about this record) that her generation didn't have this to grow up to. I am proud and honored that we did -- and if you're reading this and have children, I hope you share this with them and teach the messages contained within.

My family got this record for me when they got me (I was adopted) and it has single-handedly has been the one thing that sticks out in my mind when I think of my childhood. My biological mother is full-blood Italian and my biological father is Black and Indian - so I'm sure you can imagine that trying to teach an adpoted, multi-racial child about the everyday world we live in was quite a task for my new family. This record was a God-send for my parents. The lessons it teaches are incredibly important for young children today to learn - everything from manners, to the ruthless teasing that kids are always so prone to, to how we're all "different" in our own special way. This album has had such an impact on my life, that once hearing it after 20 years, I still know most of the words! I used to sit for HOURS listening to this album just staring aimlessly at the album cover in complete bliss! My plans are to get this CD for a couple close friends and myself - even if I don't ever have any kids! This album is a classic and no family should be without it! What a help this CD will be for all who grace thier children with it!