Song Stories: George Michael: Freedom! 90

Freedom! 90 has something that not many songs have. It;s both a culturally significant symbol of a new decade but also an anthem of self expression, and personal liberation. A song that pointed reflection on the pitfalls of fame and a bold declaration of independence, not only for Michael but for the countless people who could relate to his struggle for authenticity.

By the time George Michael released Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, he had already achieved global stardom with his first solo album, Faith (1987), which included hits like "Faith," "Father Figure," and "I Want Your Sex." However, while Faith cemented Michael’s position as a pop icon, the album also locked him into a public image that he found increasingly suffocating. He had already been a huge star, with Wham years before, and it was happening again. George had become the biggest pop star in the world.

By 1990, he was yearning for artistic freedom, wanting to distance himself from the commercial trappings of celebrity that had come to define him. In this context, "Freedom! '90" became his battle cry

"Freedom! '90" is a funk-infused pop song with infectious energy, featuring a groovy bassline, a driving beat, and Michael’s unmistakable vocals. The song’s production, characterized by a seamless blend of pop, rock, and dance elements, was designed to appeal to a wide audience. But behind its upbeat melody lies a deeply introspective message.

The lyrics tell the story of Michael’s disillusionment with the music industry and his determination to take control of his identity. This sentiment is emphasized in the chorus, where the repeated phrase "Freedom!" becomes a rallying cry for liberation, not just from external pressures but from the internal constraints of living up to an image that wasn’t real.

Michael used the songs music video to further his cries. In an act of defiance he did not appear in the video.  Instead, director David Fincher (who would go on to direct films like Fight Club and Gone Girl) cast a group of supermodels—Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Tatjana Patitz—to lip-sync the song.

He wanted to distance himself away from the person he had become, with his previous record. It was as if he was blowing up the glossy, commercialized version of himself—literally, as objects from his Faith era (the jukebox, the leather jacket) explode in flames throughout the video. This was Michael saying, once and for all, that he was no longer going to be bound by the constraints of the music industry’s expectations, nor would he be defined by his past image.

The song was a huge turning point for Michael, and it arguably gave him his biggest hit. It was a stab at the music system but also the sound of a man trying to grapple with his own identity. Michael’s desire to break free from both public and private shackles made "Freedom! '90" resonate with a wide range of listeners, especially those who felt pressured to hide their true selves.

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