Sweet Freedom (song)

"Sweet Freedom" is a song by Michael McDonald, written by Rod Temperton originally featured on Running Scared's soundtrack, before the 1986 re-release of McDonald's 1985 album No Lookin' Back. The track peaked at #7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (his last Top 10 hit in that chart), #12 in the UK, and #14 in Canada.

The single's music video directed by Leslie Libman featured McDonald, along with actors Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, in the film Running Scared.

Credits

 * Lead vocals – Michael McDonald
 * Backing vocals – Michael McDonald and Siedah Garrett
 * Guitars – Paul Jackson Jr. and Michael Thompson
 * Keyboards – Greg Phillinganes, Anthony Patler, Danny Sembello, Rod Temperton and Larry Williams
 * Synthesizer – Larry Williams
 * Synclavier – Wells Christie
 * Horns – David Boruff, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft, Bill Reichenbach and Larry Williams
 * Arrangements – Rod Temperton
 * Producers – Bruce Swedien, Rod Temperton and Dick Rudolph
 * Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien at Westlake Audio (Los Angeles, CA)

Other notable versions

 * In 1998, Shawn Christopher released her version of the song Sweet Freedom which reached number 60 in France.
 * In 2002, Danish electronic percussion duo Safri Duo, featuring Michael McDonald, covered the song. It was released in June as the fourth and final single from their debut album, Episode II. This version charted in many European countries, hitting number 2 in Spain and number 3 in Wallonia.