| "Free" | ||||
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| Single by Mýa | ||||
| from the album Fear of Flying | ||||
| Released | March 13, 2001 | |||
| Format | Maxi single 12" single CD single |
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| Recorded | Summer 2000 Flyte Tyme Studios (Edina, MN) |
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| Genre | R&B Funk Disco |
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| Length | 5:21 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Writer(s) | Jimmy Jam Mýa Harrison Terry Lewis Alexander Richbourg Tony Tolbert |
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| Producer | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis | |||
| Certification | Platinum (ARIA) | |||
| Mýa singles chronology | ||||
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"Free" is a Dance Pop song by American singer-songwriter Mýa. The track was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for the re-release of Harrison sophomore studio album Fear of Flying. Free was written by Jimmy Jam, Mýa, Terry Lewis, Alexander Richbourg, and Tony Tolbert.
Free was released March 13, 2001 in the United States as the third single from Harrison’s sophomore studio album Fear of Flying. The single was a commercial failure; it reached number forty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number fifty-two on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single was a commercial success internationally; it reached number four in Australia and number eleven in United Kingdom. "Free" was certified platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association.
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Free is a dance pop song composed in the key of D major. The song's tempo is set at a moderate dance beat at 112 beats per minute in common time. Harrison's vocal range span from a F3 to D5.[1]
The lyrics of "Free" are composed in the traditional verse-chorus form. Mýa opens the song with brief spoken lyrics. She begins the first verse, followed by the chorus leading her into the second verse. The song continues to the bridge, chorus, then fades out with Mýa's chant.
NME gave the song a mixed review:
R&B's enduring (annoying?) cutesy pie has done the double. Released a single that ties in with her butter wouldn't melt image -how else to you explain the lyrics, "I'm me/single, sexy and free"? Yes, make no mistake, this is Mýa trapped in Lolita land (check out the video below) not sure if she's the insolent girlfriend ('Case of the Ex') or, as this track would paint her, a pre-teen with no idea of her temptation, but aware that she has 'something about her'. Musically, this is right up Janet Jackson's old alley - more so before Janet found 'Control' and became obsessed with sex. So, if you're a chick who's so cute you turn yourself on, but still a virgin, this is your anthem. But of course, you'll be singing it to yourself, cos you love yourself so darn much, won't ya?![2]
Free debuted at number seventy-five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number forty-two. It spent 2 non consecutive weeks at number forty-two before descending on the chart and 17 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart altogether. It is the second single released by Mýa to failed to enter the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and considered a commercial failure. The single failed to achieve success on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart peaking at a moderately low fifty-two and spending thirteen non consecutive weeks on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart.
Internationally, the single was a success. It reached the top five in Australia, peaking at number four and was certified platinum by ARIA selling over 70,000 copies. The single became Mýa's second consecutive top ten hit (solo) in Australia. It became a top twenty hit in the United Kingdom and Mýa's second non-consecutive top forty hit (solo).
The music video for Free was directed by Dave Meyers. Harrison explained to LAUNCH how involved she was in the making of Free speaking on following: the roller-skating, pop-locking, whacking, and the boogaloo were actually of all her concepts. Harrison, who is an exceptional dancer, a talent that has been highlighted in her intricately choregraphed videos got together with an underground dancer/choreographer and they kinda put it together on their own. Mýa revealed it was a struggle and a fight working with someone underground because he's not established, but continued by saying that was the best thing about making Free because I knew him and what he had to offer and it was great.[3]
U.S. CD Single
| Charts (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart[4] | 4 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[5] | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[5] | 8 |
| Dutch Singles Chart[6] | 41 |
| German Singles Chart[7] | 66 |
| Swiss Singles Chart[8] | 76 |
| Tokio Hot 100[9] | 76 |
| UK Singles Chart[10] | 11 |
| UK R&B Chart[9] | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] | 42 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[11] | 52 |
| U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40[11] | 11 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Tracks[11] | 22 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop Songs[11] | 13 |
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Australian Singles Chart[12] | 32 |
| Country (Provider) | Certification |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | Platinum[13] |
| Country | Date |
|---|---|
| United States | March 13, 2001 |
| Germany | April 27, 2001 |
| Australia | May 15, 2001 |
| United Kingdom | May 28, 2001 |
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