Customer Reviews

Freedom / From a Lover to a Friend

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

We've got NSync and Backstreet Boys CDs, etc., in the car, but my 7yr old and 12yr old keeping asking to hear "Freedom." There is a God.

Day one of the 2001 tragedy; Paul McCartney is in NYC to witness the whole thing. The next day, inspiration strikes Paul and on behalf of the free world, he writes the single greatest thing that has ever come to that genius brain of his: FREEDOM. On the first listen (for most of us, the Concert for NYC on VH-1) it immediately compels us to sing along loudly and proudly, as evidenced by the fact that he performed it twice, once with his band of New York musicians, then again with the ensemble crowd of superstars: Pete Townshend, Jon Bon Jovi, Roger Daltrey, Sheryl Crow, etc. etc.From the tragic intentional deaths of almost 5,000 people in the great city of New York, comes the biggest, baddest, most patriotic song of defiance against cowardly enemies of all that we live for in this Country: Paul McCartney's FREEDOM. BUY IT. PLAY IT LOUD. And be proud to be an American, because Paul McCartney certainly shows us that we can.(One other note: LOL@the ACLU comment, but Paul does mention 'God and Country' in "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" in '71...the last time he felt compelled to speak out against unnecessary slaughter of people for "religious" reasons.)

The criticisms you read here are mostly by people who don't really know Paul, and over-intellectualize about one simple song. "Freedom" doesn't do anything to change what happened on 9/11, with ONE EXCEPTION: I sounds heartfelt, it felt good for this saddened soul to hear, and I don't need to analyze it or Paul beyond that. It wasn't meant to replace the Star Spangled Banner that you patriot-types hold it up against. It wasn't a snipe at Lennon's songs or legacy, it was a song written by a man who was moved by this tragic happening. He's not American, but he tears down borders by saying simply that God gave us our freedom (he did NOT specify, because God indeed gave it to us ALL-even those who can't fathom the possibility of God or spirituality). It's a song. If you don't like it, why go into a tirade against Paul?

"Freedom" is pure Paul, written from the heart out of a well of deep emotions,
and so simple and catchy a tune as to make you wonder how no one had written it before... but Paul is brilliant at writing ur-tunes, such as Mull of Kintyre, Let It Be, And I Love Her-- the list is endless.

The other song on the CD, "From a Lover to a Friend", is pretty good -- I actually prefer the remixed version (there are 2 versions on the CD)! It's not my favorite Paul song, but very good.
Paul is the 8th Wonder of the World! :)
Go cat go!

One's again McCartney shows the world this simplistic way of writing, as he do it in the last two albums, Some times it has to be simple to be big. Congratulations to Paul, one's again a little of one of the biggest songwrites in world's history.

I try to see the value in every song. I am a songwriter who has had his work both praised and slammed by critics. Therefore, I don't make blanket statements about someone's art unless I strongly feel they apply. I try to see the value in every song. I see absolutely no value in this song.

It may be too soon to say this, but this might be the worst song of the millenium. This is the Battlefield Earth of music.

Good Intentions do not equal Good Music. In fact, they often equal the polar opposite... case in point "We are the World."

McCartney has always had a way of taking a phrase and a musical hook and building it into something inspiring. This is no exception. It could just as easily have been the anthem of America's founders as it was the anthem of freedom lovers after 9-11. Eric Clapton guests on lead guitar too.

Paul McCartney, or 'Fab Macca Wacky Thumbs Aloft' (thank you Smash Hits) delivered this song exactly when the world needed it/him. In times of despair, people often turn to the stars for support and guidance - this term applies to both spirituality and celebrity. With this song, Paul led the world in reclaiming its freedom. Thank you.

I could not agree more with others about the poor quality of "Freedom," but I have to add that "From a Lover to a Friend" is one of the finest songs Paul ever wrote. Lovely, innovative, and heartbreaking.

Can you imagine anyone who knows anything whatsoever about music taking more than two minutes to compose this cynical jingoistic exploitation piece? It's astounding how low some people will stoop.