Philadelphia Freedom (song)

"Philadelphia Freedom"
Single by Elton John
B-side	"I Saw Her Standing There" (live with John Lennon
Released	24 February 1975
Genre	Rock
Length	5:38
Label	MCA (US/Canada) DJM Records
Writer(s)	Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Elton John singles chronology
"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (1974) "Philadelphia Freedom" (1975) "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" (1975)

"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 Taupin ever consciously wrote as a single, as Elton told journalist Paul Gambaccini. Elton, looking to honour his friend, tennis professional Billie Jean King, asked Taupin to write a song called "Philadelphia Freedom," an 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 did not. 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 23/4/1975 and Platinum on 13/9/1995 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.

References

Preceded by "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton	US Billboard Hot 100 number one single April 12, 1975 - April 19, 1975	Succeeded by "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" by B. J. Thomas
Preceded by "No No Song" by Ringo Starr	Canadian RPM number-one single April 19, 1975 – April 26, 1975	Succeeded by "I Don't Like To Sleep Alone" by Paul Anka