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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
| Name = Freedom's Prisoner
| name = Freedom's Prisoner
| Cover = Steve Harley Freedom's Prisoner Single Cover 1979.jpg
| cover = Steve Harley Freedom's Prisoner Single Cover 1979.jpg
| Genre = [[Pop (music)|Pop]], Rock
| alt =
| Cover size =
| type = single
| Border =
| artist = [[Steve Harley]]
⚫
| album = [[The Candidate (album)|The Candidate]]
⚫
| Caption =
| Artist = [[Steve Harley]]
| B-side = One More Time
| released = 12 October 1979<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-10-20.pdf |title=International: United Kingdom |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |volume=41 |issue=23 |page=42 |date=20 October 1979 |via=World Radio History |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref>
⚫
| Album = [[The Candidate (album)|The Candidate]]
| A-side =
| recorded =
| B-side = "One More Time"
| studio =
⚫
| venue =
| Released = 7 September 1979<ref name="cat1">{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/2994 |title=Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner / One More Time - EMI - UK - EMI 2994 |publisher=45cat |date= |accessdate=2018-03-22}}</ref>
| Format = [[7"]]
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]
| Recorded =
| length = 3:51
| Length = 3:51
| label = [[EMI Records|EMI]]
| Label = [[EMI Records]]
| writer =
| Writer = [[Steve Harley]], Jimmy Horowitz
* [[Steve Harley]]
* Jimmy Horowitz
| Producer = [[Steve Harley]], Jimmy Horowitz
| producer =
* Steve Harley
* Jimmy Horowitz
⚫
| prev_title = [[Someone's Coming]]
| Audio sample? =
| Certification =
| prev_year = 1979
⚫
| next_title = [[Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)]] (re-issue)
⚫
| Last single = "[[Someone's Coming]]"<br />(1979)
| next_year = 1981
| This single = "'''Freedom's Prisoner'''"<br />(1979)
⚫
| Next single = "[[Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)]] (re-issue)"<br />(1981)
| Misc =
}}
}}
"'''Freedom's Prisoner'''" is a song by [[United Kingdom|British]] singer-songwriter [[Steve Harley]], released in 1979 as the only single from his second solo album ''[[The Candidate (album)|The Candidate]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-Freedoms-Prisoner/release/2095398 |title=Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner (Vinyl) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |date= |accessdate=2012-12-04}}</ref> It was written and produced by Harley and Jimmy Horowitz. The song reached No. 58 in the UK.
"'''Freedom's Prisoner'''" is a song by British singer-songwriter [[Steve Harley]], which was released in 1979 as the only single from his second solo album ''[[The Candidate (album)|The Candidate]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-Freedoms-Prisoner/release/2095398 |title=Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner (Vinyl) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=2012-12-04}}</ref> The song, which was written and produced by Harley and Jimmy Horowitz, reached number 58 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="officialcharts1">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/18068/steve-harley/ |title=STEVE HARLEY &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company |publisher=Officialcharts.com |access-date=2018-03-22}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
After Harley's 1978 debut solo album ''[[Hobo with a Grin]]'' was met with commercial failure, Harley returned to the UK in late 1978, having spent almost a year living in Los Angeles. He soon started writing and recording his second solo album ''The Candidate'', which was released in September 1979. During that month, "Freedom's Prisoner" was also released as the album's lead single. It reached No. 58 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 75 for three weeks, having originally debuted at No. 70 in late October.<ref name="officialcharts1">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/18068/steve-harley/ |title=STEVE HARLEY &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company |publisher=Officialcharts.com |date= |accessdate=2018-03-22}}</ref> The limited commercial success of both the single and ''The Candidate'' resulted in EMI Records dropping Harley, leaving him without a record deal.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t5oYAAAAIAAJ&q=steve+harley+freedom%27s+prisoner&dq=steve+harley+freedom%27s+prisoner&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JU2-UIXOEcvL0AXj0YCABw&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA |title=Rock movers & shakers - Dafydd Rees, Luke Crampton - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-12-04}}</ref>
Harley wrote and recorded "Freedom's Prisoner" and the rest of the material for ''The Candidate'' in 1979, after moving back to the UK from Los Angeles. Both "Freedom's Prisoner" and ''The Candidate'' were released in October 1979, but the album was not a commercial success. "Freedom's Prisoner" reached number 58 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.<ref name="officialcharts1"/> Speaking to the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' in 1979, Harley spoke of his predictions for the song, stating, "I reckon the single is a top ten record".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/1977/Bad_Boy_Back_On_Song/Bad_Boy_Back_On_Song.htm |title=Bad Boy Back On Song |publisher=Harleyfanzone.com |access-date=2013-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124126/http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/1977/Bad_Boy_Back_On_Song/Bad_Boy_Back_On_Song.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The limited commercial success of both the single and album resulted in EMI Records dropping Harley, leaving him without a record deal.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t5oYAAAAIAAJ&q=steve+harley+freedom%27s+prisoner |title=Rock movers & shakers - Dafydd Rees, Luke Crampton - Google Books |isbn=9780874366617 |access-date=2012-12-04|last1=Rees |first1=Dafydd |year=1991 }}</ref>


Speaking to Pauline McLeod of the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' in 1979, Harley spoke of his predictions for the song, stating: "I reckon the single is a Top Ten record".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/1977/Bad_Boy_Back_On_Song/Bad_Boy_Back_On_Song.htm |title=Bad Boy Back On Song |publisher=Harleyfanzone.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref> "Freedom's Prisoner" features backing vocals from Reigate-based choir The English Chorale. Harley had asked Horowitz to find a choir for the plainsong parts, and in turn Horowitz booked the choir. They were directed by Robert Howes. The song was recorded and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, and mixed at Morgan Studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-The-Candidate/release/1333914 |title=Steve Harley - The Candidate (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |date= |accessdate=2012-12-04}}</ref>
"Freedom's Prisoner" was recorded and mastered at [[Abbey Road Studios]], and mixed at Morgan Studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-The-Candidate/release/1333914 |title=Steve Harley - The Candidate (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=2012-12-04}}</ref> The song features backing vocals from the English Chorale, who were directed by Robert Howes. Harley had asked Horowitz to find a choir for the plainsong parts, and in turn Horowitz booked the choir.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ashley Smith |url=https://www.sladediscography.co.uk/steve-harley-questions.html |title=Steve Harley Questions |publisher=Slade Discography Website |date=25 February 2015 |access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
"Freedom's Prisoner" was released by EMI Records on 7" vinyl in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.<ref name="cat1"/> The B-Side, "One More Time", was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Horowitz. It also appeared on ''The Candidate''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-The-Candidate/master/410483 |title=Steve Harley - The Candidate at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |date= |accessdate=2012-12-04}}</ref> The UK and Netherlands releases came with a colour picture sleeve, featuring a close-up photograph of Harley. In the UK, a promotional 7" vinyl was also released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/2994 |title=Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner / One More Time - EMI - UK - EMI 2994 |publisher=45cat |date=2012-11-02 |accessdate=2012-12-04}}</ref>
"Freedom's Prisoner" was released by EMI Records on 7-inch vinyl in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.<ref name="cat1">{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/2994 |title=Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner / One More Time - EMI - UK - EMI 2994 |publisher=45cat |access-date=2018-03-22}}</ref> The B-side, "One More Time", was taken from ''The Candidate'', and was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Horowitz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-The-Candidate/master/410483 |title=Steve Harley - The Candidate at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=2012-12-04}}</ref>

Following its original release as a single and on ''The Candidate'', the song has appeared on various Steve Harley compilations, including 1987's ''[[Greatest Hits (Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel album)|Greatest Hits]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/freedoms-prisoner-mt0015364394 |title=Freedom's Prisoner - Steve Harley, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel : Listen, Appearances, Song Review |publisher=AllMusic |date= |accessdate=2013-02-02}}</ref> 1992's ''Make Me Smile: The Best of Steve Harley'', 1999's ''[[The Cream of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel]]'' and 2006's ''[[The Cockney Rebel – A Steve Harley Anthology]]''.


==Promotion==
==Promotion==
A music video was filmed to promote the single.
A music video was filmed to promote the single. Harley also performed the song on British children's television series ''[[Tiswas]]''.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 November 1979|title=Singer back on song|newspaper=Daily Mirror}}</ref>


The song has been performed live on numerous occasions. It was performed at Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel's 1984 concert at the Camden Palace, London, which was filmed for TV and released on the VHS ''[[Live from London (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel video)|Live from London]]'' in 1985.<ref>{{cite book|last=Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel|first=|title=The 'Come Back, All is Forgiven' Tour Official Programme|year=1989|publisher=Print Simplicity}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel-London/dp/B007T8OS0Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1356452184&sr=1-2 |title=Steve Harley + Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Harley: Music |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |date=2012-06-11 |accessdate=2012-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel-London/dp/B000KHX9EW/ |title=Steve Harley And The Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD 2007: Amazon.co.uk: Classic Pictures: Film & TV |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel/dp/B001Q0D9RY/ |title=Live From London: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel: Amazon.co.uk: Video |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-12-25}}</ref> When the band returned to touring in 1989, the song was occasionally included in the set-list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6f5GO4CsD8 |title=Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner |publisher=YouTube |date=2009-11-09 |accessdate=2012-12-04}}</ref>
The song has been performed live by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel on numerous occasions. It was performed at the band's 1984 concert at the Camden Palace, London, which was filmed for TV and released on the VHS ''[[Live from London (Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel video)|Live from London]]'' in 1985.<ref>{{cite book|last=Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel|title=The 'Come Back, All is Forgiven' Tour Official Programme|year=1989|publisher=Print Simplicity}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel-London/dp/B007T8OS0Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1356452184&sr=1-2 |title=Steve Harley + Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Harley: Music |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |date=2012-06-11 |access-date=2012-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel-London/dp/B000KHX9EW/ |title=Steve Harley And The Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD 2007: Amazon.co.uk: Classic Pictures: Film & TV |date=26 February 2007 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=2012-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Steve-Harley-Cockney-Rebel/dp/B001Q0D9RY/ |title=Live From London: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel: Amazon.co.uk: Video |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=2012-12-25}}</ref> When the band returned to touring in 1989, the song was occasionally included in the set-list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6f5GO4CsD8 |title=Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner |publisher=YouTube |date=2009-11-09 |access-date=2012-12-04}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Upon its release, Pauline McLeod of the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' described "Freedom's Prisoner" as a "raunchy rock 'n' roller with lots of gutsy vocals".<ref>{{cite news |date=17 September 1979 |title=Singles |newspaper=Daily Mirror}}</ref> Simon Ludgate of ''[[Record Mirror]]'' called it as a "great single" and added, "Corny but fun, [[Doctor Zhivago (film)|Dr Zhivago]]-style Russian chorus and danceable melody clicks very nicely. That instant hook is just what Harley needs to get himself noticed again."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ludgate |first=Simon |date=6 October 1979 |title=Singles |magazine=Record Mirror}}</ref> Dave Murray of the ''[[Reading Post|Reading Evening Post]]'' considered "Freedom's Prisoner" to be "one of Harley's better singles, and likely to do well in the charts".<ref>{{cite news |last=Murray |first=Dave |date=20 October 1979 |title=Pop - Singles |magazine=[[Reading Post|Reading Evening Post]] |page=8}}</ref>
Upon release, [[Chris Difford]] of [[Squeeze (band)|Squeeze]] reviewed the single for ''[[Smash Hits]]'' and commented: "David Essex would turn in his Rolls if he heard this one. A contract filler perhaps".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Difford|first=Chris|date=4 October 1979|title=Single reviews|journal=Smash Hits}}</ref> In a ''Smash Hits'' review of ''The Candidate'', Red Starr highlighted the song as one of the album's best tracks.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Starr|first=Red|title=Albums|journal=[[Smash Hits]]|issue=November 1–14, 1979|page=29}}</ref> In a review of Harley's 1979 concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, Kelly Pike of ''[[Record Mirror]]'' described the show as "a sad, distasteful affair", but added that "Freedom's Prisoner" "scored points for being the only song where any conceivable enthusiasm was shown".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/1977/Kelly_Pike/Hammersmith_Pike.htm |title=Hammersmith Odeon |publisher=Harleyfanzone.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref>


Paul Sexton of ''[[Record Mirror]]'' wrote, "The hook comes before the vocals, with a call out melody. Downhill from there, but Harley's return may still be timely."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sexton |first=Paul |date=22 September 1979 |title=Singles |magazine=Record Mirror}}</ref> [[Chris Difford]] of [[Squeeze (band)|Squeeze]], as guest reviewer for ''[[Smash Hits]]'', remarked, "[[David Essex]] would turn in his Rolls if he heard this one. A contract filler perhaps."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Difford |first=Chris |date=4 October 1979 |title=Single reviews |magazine=[[Smash Hits]]}}</ref> Paul Rambali of ''[[New Musical Express]]'' commented, "By the time he finally decides what his music is supposed to be it's over anyway. It's too late Harley, your time is up. Suitable for airplay and not much else."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rambali |first=Paul |date=15 September 1979 |title=More Singles |magazine=[[New Musical Express]] |page=28}}</ref> Jim Ward of the ''Harborough Mail'' stated, "Contract filler – I hope" and added it was a "disappointing return for the talented but wayward Harley".<ref>{{cite news |last=Ward |first=Jim |title=Singles |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005210/19791108/093/0007 |newspaper=Harborough Mail |date=8 November 1979 |page=7 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=12 January 2024}}</ref>
⚫
In a retrospective review of ''The Candidate'', [[Dave Thompson (author)|Dave Thompson]] of [[AllMusic]] described the song as "Harley's finest 45 in half a decade", and noted the song's "tidal wave of intriguing lyrics", "captivating chorus" and "a dynamic that was pure [[Psychomodo]]". He added: "When "Freedom's Prisoner" single hit the airwaves, it would have taken a lot to convince the longtime fan that the man hadn't resparked all his old glories again, and was about to embark upon a musical journey as scintillating, and as fascinating, as that which launched him in the first place. It was also a total fluke, as the accompanying album proved itself to be little more than a clutch of substandard songs, glued together by alluring production alone."<ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson |first=Dave |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/candidate-mw0000097492 |title=Candidate - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date= |accessdate=2012-12-04}}</ref> In a review of the 2008 compilation ''The Best of Steve Harley'', Thompson described "Freedom's Prisoner" as "an unexpectedly joyful excerpt from his 1979 schedule".<ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson |first=Dave |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-steve-harley-emi-gold-mw0001252490 |title=The Best of Steve Harley [EMI Gold&#93; - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=2008-07-07 |accessdate=2012-12-04}}</ref>

⚫
In a review of ''The Candidate'', Gary Paul of ''[[Bedfordshire on Sunday]]'' described the song as "a non-stop, medium rock toe-tapper which has a lot going for it".<ref>{{cite news |last=Paul |first=Gary |date=6 January 1980 |title=Record Review |magazine=[[Bedfordshire on Sunday]] |page=5}}</ref> In a retrospective review of the album, [[Dave Thompson (author)|Dave Thompson]] of [[AllMusic]] described the song as "Harley's finest 45 in half a decade", and noted the song's "tidal wave of intriguing lyrics", "captivating chorus" and "a dynamic that was pure [[Psychomodo]]". He added, "When 'Freedom's Prisoner' single hit the airwaves, it would have taken a lot to convince the longtime fan that the man hadn't resparked all his old glories again, and was about to embark upon a musical journey as scintillating, and as fascinating, as that which launched him in the first place. It was also a total fluke, as the accompanying album proved itself to be little more than a clutch of substandard songs, glued together by alluring production alone."<ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson |first=Dave |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/candidate-mw0000097492 |title=Candidate - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2012-12-04}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
'''7-inch single'''
;7" Single
#"Freedom's Prisoner" - 3:51
#"Freedom's Prisoner" – 3:51
#"One More Time" - 4:26
#"One More Time" – 4:26

⚫
==Personnel==
⚫
* [[Steve Harley]] – vocals
⚫
* Jo Partridge, [[Phil Palmer]], Nico Ramsden – guitar
⚫
* [[John Giblin]] – bass
⚫
* [[Stuart Elliott (drummer)|Stuart Elliott]] – drums
⚫
* The English Chorale – choir backing vocals
⚫
* Robert Howes – choir director


'''Production'''
;7" Single (promo)
⚫
* Steve Harley, Jimmy Horowitz – producers
#"Freedom's Prisoner" - 3:51
⚫
* [[Haydn Bendall]], Tony Clark – engineers
#"One More Time" - 4:26
⚫
* Chris Blair – mastering
⚫
* [[Mike Hedges]] – mixing


==Charts==
==Chart performance==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!Chart (1979)
!Chart (1979)
!Peak<br>position
!Peak<br>position
|-
|-
! scope="row"|UK The Singles Chart (''[[Record Business]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Singles Chart 1-60 |magazine=[[Record Business]] |date=5 November 1979 |volume=2 |issue=33 |page=6}}</ref>
⚫
|align="left"|UK Singles Chart ([[The Official Charts Company]])<ref name="officialcharts1"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|59
|-
! scope="row"|UK Airplay Guide (''[[Record Business]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Airplay Guide |magazine=[[Record Business]] |date=5 November 1979 |volume=2 |issue=29 |page=22}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|40
|-
⚫
! scope="row"|[[UK Singles Chart]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="officialcharts1"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|58
| style="text-align:center;"|58
|}
|}

⚫
== Personnel ==
⚫
* [[Steve Harley]] - vocals, producer
⚫
* Jimmy Horowitz - producer
⚫
* Jo Partridge, [[Phil Palmer]], Nico Ramsden - guitar
⚫
* [[John Giblin]] - bass
⚫
* [[Stuart Elliott (drummer)|Stuart Elliott]] - drums
⚫
* The English Chorale - choir backing vocals
⚫
* Robert Howes - choir director
⚫
* [[Haydn Bendall]] - engineer
* Tony Clark - engineer
⚫
* Chris Blair - mastering
⚫
* [[Mike Hedges]] - mixing


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MetroLyrics song|steve-harley|freedoms-prisoner}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Steve Harley}}
{{Steve Harley}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:1979 songs]]
[[Category:1979 songs]]
[[Category:1979 singles]]
[[Category:1979 singles]]
⚫
[[Category:Steve Harley songs]]
[[Category:EMI Records singles]]
[[Category:EMI Records singles]]
⚫
[[Category:Steve Harley songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Steve Harley]]
[[Category:Songs written by Steve Harley]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Steve Harley]]

Latest revision as of 18:21, 11 July 2024

"Freedom's Prisoner"
Single by Steve Harley
from the album The Candidate
B-side"One More Time"
Released12 October 1979[1]
GenreRock
Length3:51
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Steve Harley
  • Jimmy Horowitz
Steve Harley singles chronology
"Someone's Coming"
(1979) 		"Freedom's Prisoner"
(1979) 		"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (re-issue)"
(1981)

"Freedom's Prisoner" is a song by British singer-songwriter Steve Harley, which was released in 1979 as the only single from his second solo album The Candidate.[2] The song, which was written and produced by Harley and Jimmy Horowitz, reached number 58 in the UK Singles Chart.[3]

Background

[edit]

Harley wrote and recorded "Freedom's Prisoner" and the rest of the material for The Candidate in 1979, after moving back to the UK from Los Angeles. Both "Freedom's Prisoner" and The Candidate were released in October 1979, but the album was not a commercial success. "Freedom's Prisoner" reached number 58 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.[3] Speaking to the Daily Mirror in 1979, Harley spoke of his predictions for the song, stating, "I reckon the single is a top ten record".[4] The limited commercial success of both the single and album resulted in EMI Records dropping Harley, leaving him without a record deal.[5]

"Freedom's Prisoner" was recorded and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, and mixed at Morgan Studios.[6] The song features backing vocals from the English Chorale, who were directed by Robert Howes. Harley had asked Horowitz to find a choir for the plainsong parts, and in turn Horowitz booked the choir.[7]

Release

[edit]

"Freedom's Prisoner" was released by EMI Records on 7-inch vinyl in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.[8] The B-side, "One More Time", was taken from The Candidate, and was written by Harley, and produced by Harley and Horowitz.[9]

Promotion

[edit]

A music video was filmed to promote the single. Harley also performed the song on British children's television series Tiswas.[10]

The song has been performed live by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel on numerous occasions. It was performed at the band's 1984 concert at the Camden Palace, London, which was filmed for TV and released on the VHS Live from London in 1985.[11][12][13][14] When the band returned to touring in 1989, the song was occasionally included in the set-list.[15]

Critical reception

[edit]

Upon its release, Pauline McLeod of the Daily Mirror described "Freedom's Prisoner" as a "raunchy rock 'n' roller with lots of gutsy vocals".[16] Simon Ludgate of Record Mirror called it as a "great single" and added, "Corny but fun, Dr Zhivago-style Russian chorus and danceable melody clicks very nicely. That instant hook is just what Harley needs to get himself noticed again."[17] Dave Murray of the Reading Evening Post considered "Freedom's Prisoner" to be "one of Harley's better singles, and likely to do well in the charts".[18]

Paul Sexton of Record Mirror wrote, "The hook comes before the vocals, with a call out melody. Downhill from there, but Harley's return may still be timely."[19] Chris Difford of Squeeze, as guest reviewer for Smash Hits, remarked, "David Essex would turn in his Rolls if he heard this one. A contract filler perhaps."[20] Paul Rambali of New Musical Express commented, "By the time he finally decides what his music is supposed to be it's over anyway. It's too late Harley, your time is up. Suitable for airplay and not much else."[21] Jim Ward of the Harborough Mail stated, "Contract filler – I hope" and added it was a "disappointing return for the talented but wayward Harley".[22]

In a review of The Candidate, Gary Paul of Bedfordshire on Sunday described the song as "a non-stop, medium rock toe-tapper which has a lot going for it".[23] In a retrospective review of the album, Dave Thompson of AllMusic described the song as "Harley's finest 45 in half a decade", and noted the song's "tidal wave of intriguing lyrics", "captivating chorus" and "a dynamic that was pure Psychomodo". He added, "When 'Freedom's Prisoner' single hit the airwaves, it would have taken a lot to convince the longtime fan that the man hadn't resparked all his old glories again, and was about to embark upon a musical journey as scintillating, and as fascinating, as that which launched him in the first place. It was also a total fluke, as the accompanying album proved itself to be little more than a clutch of substandard songs, glued together by alluring production alone."[24]

Track listing

[edit]

7-inch single

  1. "Freedom's Prisoner" – 3:51
  2. "One More Time" – 4:26

Personnel

[edit]

Production

  • Steve Harley, Jimmy Horowitz – producers
  • Haydn Bendall, Tony Clark – engineers
  • Chris Blair – mastering
  • Mike Hedges – mixing

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1979) Peak
position
UK The Singles Chart (Record Business)[25] 59
UK Airplay Guide (Record Business)[26] 40
UK Singles Chart (OCC)[3] 58

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "International: United Kingdom" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 41, no. 23. 20 October 1979. p. 42. Retrieved 27 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
  2. ^ "Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "STEVE HARLEY | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Bad Boy Back On Song". Harleyfanzone.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  5. ^ Rees, Dafydd (1991). Rock movers & shakers - Dafydd Rees, Luke Crampton - Google Books. ISBN 9780874366617. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Steve Harley - The Candidate (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  7. ^ Ashley Smith (25 February 2015). "Steve Harley Questions". Slade Discography Website. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner / One More Time - EMI - UK - EMI 2994". 45cat. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Steve Harley - The Candidate at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Singer back on song". Daily Mirror. 3 November 1979.
  11. ^ Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel (1989). The 'Come Back, All is Forgiven' Tour Official Programme. Print Simplicity.
  12. ^ "Steve Harley + Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Steve Harley: Music". Amazon.co.uk. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Steve Harley And The Cockney Rebel - Live From London DVD 2007: Amazon.co.uk: Classic Pictures: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  14. ^ "Live From London: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel: Amazon.co.uk: Video". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  15. ^ "Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner". YouTube. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  16. ^ "Singles". Daily Mirror. 17 September 1979.
  17. ^ Ludgate, Simon (6 October 1979). "Singles". Record Mirror.
  18. ^ Murray, Dave (20 October 1979). "Pop - Singles". Reading Evening Post. p. 8.
  19. ^ Sexton, Paul (22 September 1979). "Singles". Record Mirror.
  20. ^ Difford, Chris (4 October 1979). "Single reviews". Smash Hits.
  21. ^ Rambali, Paul (15 September 1979). "More Singles". New Musical Express. p. 28.
  22. ^ Ward, Jim (8 November 1979). "Singles". Harborough Mail. p. 7. Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  23. ^ Paul, Gary (6 January 1980). "Record Review". Bedfordshire on Sunday. p. 5.
  24. ^ Thompson, Dave. "Candidate - Steve Harley : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  25. ^ "The Singles Chart 1-60". Record Business. Vol. 2, no. 33. 5 November 1979. p. 6.
  26. ^ "Airplay Guide". Record Business. Vol. 2, no. 29. 5 November 1979. p. 22.
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