When You're a Free Man
Encyclopedia
"When You're a Free Man" is a song by The Moody Blues
from their 1972 album Seventh Sojourn
. It was written by the band's keyboardist Mike Pinder
, who also sings the lead vocals.
"When You're a Free Man" basically describes a perfect world scenario, similar to the album's previous song "The Land of Make-Believe". However, "When You're a Free Man" uses the approach that we are psychologically imprisoned in the current world, which we will escape from. The details of the song reference Timothy Leary
(albeit not by name), who fled the United States. His wife was Rosemary, also referenced in the song.
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
from their 1972 album Seventh Sojourn
Seventh Sojourn
Seventh Sojourn, released in 1972, is the eighth album by The Moody Blues.In Seventh Sojourn, The Moody Blues used, besides the Mellotron, a keyboard called the Chamberlin, a device similar to the Mellotron created by the original inventor of the device, Harry Chamberlin...
. It was written by the band's keyboardist Mike Pinder
Mike Pinder
Michael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
, who also sings the lead vocals.
"When You're a Free Man" basically describes a perfect world scenario, similar to the album's previous song "The Land of Make-Believe". However, "When You're a Free Man" uses the approach that we are psychologically imprisoned in the current world, which we will escape from. The details of the song reference Timothy Leary
Timothy Leary
Timothy Francis Leary was an American psychologist and writer, known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs. During a time when drugs like LSD and psilocybin were legal, Leary conducted experiments at Harvard University under the Harvard Psilocybin Project, resulting in the Concord Prison...
(albeit not by name), who fled the United States. His wife was Rosemary, also referenced in the song.
Personnel
- Justin HaywardJustin HaywardJustin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
– acoustic guitar, backing vocals - John Lodge – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Mike PinderMike PinderMichael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
– vocals, ChamberlinChamberlinThe Chamberlin is an electro-mechanical keyboard instrument that was a precursor to the Mellotron. It was developed and patented by Iowa, Wisconsin inventor Harry Chamberlin from 1949 to 1956, when the first model was introduced. Various models and versions of these Chamberlin music instruments... - Ray ThomasRay ThomasRay Thomas is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.-Career:...
– backing vocals - Graeme EdgeGraeme EdgeGraeme Charles Edge is best known as the drummer and a songwriter for the Moody Blues, but has also led his own outfit, the Graeme Edge Band.-Biography:...
– drums, percussion