Freeway of Love
| "Freeway of Love" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Until You Say You Love Me" |
"Freeway of Love" is a Grammy Award-winning hit song released as the first single from Aretha Franklin's Platinum-certified 1985 album Who's Zoomin' Who? produced by Narada Michael Walden. It was one of 1985's biggest hits in the United States, reaching the #3 position of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and topping the Hot R&B Singles chart for five weeks (from July 27, 1985 to August 24, 1985).[1]
The accompanying promotional music video was filmed entirely in Detroit, Michigan, and was one of the most popular videos of the year. In a remixed "rock" version, the song also topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.[2] This single became Aretha's fifteenth Top 10 pop hit in the United States and earned her 12th Grammy Award, for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
The song features a notable contribution from Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Sylvester and Jeanie Tracy provided backup vocals.
Music video
The video was filmed primarily in black and white and shows videos of automobiles being manufactured in the early seventies (Ford Mustang) and a then-current Cadillac Cimarron.
Franklin co-owned Detroit's Club Taboo on Woodbridge where her "Another Night" music video was filmed. Portions of the "Freeway of Love" video were filmed at Doug's Body Shop, at 22061 Woodward, in Ferndale, Michigan.
Clarence Clemons, who performs the saxophone during the song, is featured in the video, as well.
Personnel
- Aretha Franklin: Lead Vocals
- Narada Michael Walden: Drums, Percussion
- Randy Jackson: Electric & Synthesized Bass
- Walter Afanasieff: Keyboards
- Preston Glass: Keyboards & Keyboard Vibes, Backing Vocals
- Greg Gonaway: Tambourine
- Santana Rhythm Section: Percussion
- Clarence Clemons: Saxophone, Guest Appearance (courtesy of Columbia Records)
- Carolyn Franklin, Sylvester, Jeanie Tracy, Vicki Randle, Jim Gilstrap, Kitty Beethoven, Laundon Von Hendricks: Backing vocals
Versions
- "Freeway of Love" (single version) 4:09
- "Freeway of Love" (LP version) 5:52
- "Freeway of Love" (Rock Mix) (available on 12" single) 4:40
- "Freeway of Love" (Extended Mix) (available on 12" single) 6:28
Notably, Prince guitarist Dez Dickerson was featured on lead guitar on the Rock Mix.
Chart positions
Weekly charts
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 6 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50)[4] | 27 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[5] | 3 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[6] | 27 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[7] | 16 |
| UK Singles Chart[8] | 51 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | 11 |
Cover versions
In 1986, "Weird Al" Yankovic covered the song as part of his polka medley "Polka Party!".
The song was covered in 2009 by house music/dance singer Pepper Mashay.[9]
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 216.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 103.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "ultratop.be Aretha Franklin – "Freeway of Love"". Hung Medien (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "charts.org.nz Aretha Franklin – "Freeway of Love"" (ASP). Hung Medien. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
- ^ "dutchcharts.nl Aretha Franklin – "Freeway of Love"". Hung Medien. MegaCharts. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Aretha Franklin – Freeway of Love". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "OfficialCharts.com". Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Pepper Mashay's "Freeway Of Love" Out Now On Capp Records". PRLog. August 6, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
External links
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