Rockin' in the Free World
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Rockin' in the Free World" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Neil Young | |
| from the album Freedom | |
| B-side | "Rockin' in the Free World" |
| Released | November 14, 1989 |
| Format | 45 RPM Record |
| Recorded | June 14, 1989 at Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY |
| Genre | Hard rock |
| Length | Acoustic version: 3:38 Electric Version: 4:40 |
| Label | Reprise |
| Writer(s) | Neil Young |
| Producer | Neil Young Niko Bolas |
"Rockin' in the Free World" is an anthem by Neil Young, released on his 1989 album Freedom.[1] Two versions of the song were released, similar to the song "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)" of Young's Rust Never Sleeps album, one of which is performed with a predominantly acoustic arrangement, and the other with a predominantly electric arrangement.
Contents |
[edit] Context
According to Neil Young's biography Shakey, while on tour in the late '80s, Young and Frank "Poncho" Sampedro looked at photos in a newspaper of the Ayatollah Khomeini's body being carried to his grave. These images showed mourners burning American flags in the street, which incited fear in Poncho. Sampedro commented, "Whatever we do, we shouldn't go near the Mideast. It's probably better we just keep on rockin' in the free world." Young asked if Sampedro was using that for the basis of a song and when Sampedro said no, Young said that he would instead.[2]
The lyrics, focused on the social problems of late Twentieth Century America make particular of mention patriotism, homelessness and failing family values.
This song is rated number 214 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
[edit] Performances
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008) |
- Pearl Jam regularly covers this song in concert, and along with "Yellow Ledbetter" is frequently played as the closer. The band played the song in their 1992 MTV Unplugged performance and also alongside Young at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards. They have performed the song 215 times live as of November 21, 2009.[1]
- Xavier Rudd, Australian born raggae/rock artist, has covered the song during his North American tours.
- The Alarm covers this song on their album Raw (The Alarm album) in 1991.
- Queensrÿche performed the song as the closing song of their performance on MTV Unplugged.
- Maroon5 performed it at Live 8, while the Canadian performance of Live 8 in Barrie closed with a group performance of the anthem.
- The song is often performed by Bon Jovi during their concerts (opening the show usually) and is included on their live album "One Wild Night Live 1985–2001." (Record from the One Wild Night Version: 01. December 1995 in Johannesburg)
- Indigo Girls and K's Choice record a live version of the song as a B-side, as has Drivin N Cryin. (Record: 1994 in Atlanta)
- Big Country have released the song twice as a b-side; a live version on the "Beautiful People" CD-single, and a studio version backing "Alone".
- Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Yngwie Malmsteen recorded two live versions of this song while on the G3 '03 tour. The first can be seen in the G3 Live in Denver video/DVD, and the second is on "Rockin' in the Free World", a recording of a different concert on the tour.[2] Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and John Petrucci performed the song several times in Australia and Argentina in late November and early December 2006.
- Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and John Petrucci also performed the song in late October, as G3/Latin America Tour
- In November 2006, Pearl Jam performed the song with U2's Bono and The Edge, under the moniker "U-Jam" for the Make Poverty History Concert in Melbourne, Australia.
- The Leningrad Cowboys performed a version of the song on their album Global Balalaika Show.
- It is covered by Hayseed Dixie on the 2005 album A Hot Piece of Grass in bluegrass style.
- It is also covered by Polish band, Pidżama Porno on the 2004 album Bułgarskie Centrum in rock / punk rock style.
- It was also covered by Jeffrey Walker of Carcass fame, and included on his solo album Welcome to Carcass Country, which was released on 9 May 2006.
- The song is also the signature song of Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein's band Trauser and is performed by them at all performances including at the annual Hot Stove, Cool Music concerts put together by them in conjunction with ESPN Sports Analyst Peter Gammons.
- This song was covered by The Almighty for the album Wild And Wonderful.
- Atomic garden recorded an acoustic cover for the compilation Gasoline Rainbow.
- The West Virginia group "The Mosteller Brothers" perform this song as a cover in support of Ron Paul and his political views, and to express their voice against the current Bush administration.
- The band Drive By Truckers also covers the song.
- It is covered by Suzi Quatro on the 2006 album Back To The Drive.
- In the eighth episode of the Israeli series Red Band, Red Band play it with T-Slam. Though they manage to perform the song well, the two lead singers fight over the microphone, a fight which after the performance quickly collides into a brutal brawl.
- It is covered by Simple Minds on their 2009's studio album Graffiti Soul.
- The Joe Perry Project used it to close the first concert of their 2009 Tour.
- Mike Tramp make a great version on his solo live album Rock N Roll Alive
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 1843531054.
