Philadelphia Freedom (song)
Encyclopedia
"Philadelphia Freedom" is a song released by Elton John
(as "The Elton John Band") as a single in 1975. The song was one of John's numerous number-one U.S. hit singles during the early and mid-1970s, which saw his recordings dominating the charts. In Canada
, it was his eighth single to hit the top of the RPM
national singles chart. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
as a favour to Elton's friend, tennis star Billie Jean King
. King was part of the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team. The song features orchestral arrangements by Gene Page
.
Recorded in the summer of 1974, during breaks between the sessions for "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy," the song was at the time the only song Elton and Bernie ever consciously wrote as a single, as Elton told journalist Paul Gambaccini. Elton, looking to honour his friend, tennis professional Billie Jean King, asked Bernie to write a song called "Philadelphia Freedom," and homage to her tennis team. In "His Song: The Musical History of Elton John," Elizabeth Rosenthal recounts that Taupin said, "I can't write a song about tennis," and didn't. Taupin maintains that the lyrics bear no relation to tennis, Philly Soul or even flag-waving patriotism. Nonetheless, his words have been interpreted as patriotic and uplifting, and even though released in 1975, the song's sentiment, intended or not, meshed perfectly with an American music audience already gearing up for the country's bicentennial celebration in July of the next year.In the U.S. it was
certified Gold on 4/23/1975 and Platinum on 9/13/1995 by the R.I.A.A.
The song, was however, dedicated in part to the sound of Philadelphia, especially the music of the Delfonics, producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and The Spinners and that group's producer, Thom Bell
, with whom John would work two years later (on The Thom Bell Sessions
EP).
Elton performed the song on "Soul Train
" (along with "Bennie and the Jets"). Another of Elton's stage favourites, crowds have heard it numerous times live in concert through the years, including a rarely-performed solo version performed in October 1999 and released on "Live in Madison Square Garden" Vol. 1 for EltonJohn.com subscribers.
This song plays in Philadelphia's Franklin Institute
IMAX
Theater before every show to express the city's love for freedom and impact on shaping the country. The lyrics can also be found printed on the walls of the Hard Rock Cafe
in Philadelphia.
The song was covered by Hall & Oates
on the 1991 tribute album Two Rooms
.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
(as "The Elton John Band") as a single in 1975. The song was one of John's numerous number-one U.S. hit singles during the early and mid-1970s, which saw his recordings dominating the charts. In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, it was his eighth single to hit the top of the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
national singles chart. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
as a favour to Elton's friend, tennis star Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King is a former professional tennis player from the United States. She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. King has been an advocate against sexism in sports and society...
. King was part of the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team. The song features orchestral arrangements by Gene Page
Gene Page
Eugene Edgar "Gene" Page, Jr. was an influential conductor, composer, arranger and record producer most active from the mid-1960s through the mid-1980s....
.
Recorded in the summer of 1974, during breaks between the sessions for "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy," the song was at the time the only song Elton and Bernie ever consciously wrote as a single, as Elton told journalist Paul Gambaccini. Elton, looking to honour his friend, tennis professional Billie Jean King, asked Bernie to write a song called "Philadelphia Freedom," and homage to her tennis team. In "His Song: The Musical History of Elton John," Elizabeth Rosenthal recounts that Taupin said, "I can't write a song about tennis," and didn't. Taupin maintains that the lyrics bear no relation to tennis, Philly Soul or even flag-waving patriotism. Nonetheless, his words have been interpreted as patriotic and uplifting, and even though released in 1975, the song's sentiment, intended or not, meshed perfectly with an American music audience already gearing up for the country's bicentennial celebration in July of the next year.In the U.S. it was
certified Gold on 4/23/1975 and Platinum on 9/13/1995 by the R.I.A.A.
The song, was however, dedicated in part to the sound of Philadelphia, especially the music of the Delfonics, producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and The Spinners and that group's producer, Thom Bell
Thom Bell
Thomas Randolph "Thom" Bell is an American songwriter and producer, best known as one of the creators of the Philadelphia style of soul music in the 1970s. He moved to Philadelphia as a child.-Biography:...
, with whom John would work two years later (on The Thom Bell Sessions
The Thom Bell Sessions
The Thom Bell Sessions is an EP recorded by Elton John in the second half of 1977 but was not released by MCA Records until June 1979. The project was a departure for Elton at the time. Up until that time he had worked almost exclusively with lyricist Bernie Taupin and record producer Gus Dudgeon...
EP).
Elton performed the song on "Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
" (along with "Bennie and the Jets"). Another of Elton's stage favourites, crowds have heard it numerous times live in concert through the years, including a rarely-performed solo version performed in October 1999 and released on "Live in Madison Square Garden" Vol. 1 for EltonJohn.com subscribers.
This song plays in Philadelphia's Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. The Institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.-History:On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughn Merrick and...
IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
Theater before every show to express the city's love for freedom and impact on shaping the country. The lyrics can also be found printed on the walls of the Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe is a chain of theme restaurants founded in 1971 by Americans Peter Morton & Isaac Tigrett. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock and roll memorabilia, a tradition which expanded to others in the chain. In 2006, Hard Rock was sold to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and...
in Philadelphia.
The song was covered by Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
on the 1991 tribute album Two Rooms
Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin is a 1991 tribute album consisting of interpretations of sixteen songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The title refers to the song on Elton John's album 21 at 33, "Two Rooms at the End of the World", to the duo's unusual...
.