"Freedom" by The Pointer Sisters

Song#:  2517
Date:  11/02/1985
Debut:  78
Peak:  59
Weeks:  11
Genre:  R&B, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  The first single from the Sisters' album Contact, "Dare Me," didn't perform quite as well as they wanted when it got caught in the #11 position at Pop. It did a little better at R&B getting to #6, but it wasn't a smash hit like the singles from their previous album, the blockbuster Break Out. This second single got issued out, but it pretty much flopped. It couldn't get inside the top half of the Pop chart while only making #25 at R&B. It did slightly better at AC reaching #16, but it certainly wasn't a hit. While the popularity of the group still made the album a platinum seller, it wasn't nearly as successful as the triple platinum Break Out.

ReduxReview:  By this point in time, the Sisters were not known for doing R&B-leaning ballads. Their dance-pop had taken over the airwaves for the past couple of years and that's what folks were still expecting. So pushing out this track was a definite change of pace. The idea of putting one out wasn't a bad idea at all, it was just that this wasn't the right one. The tune's quiet, rolling rhythm and unhurried melody wasn't strong enough to grab a big audience. It was a nice album closer and the Sisters sounded great, but it was not worthy of being a single.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  In 1984, composer David McHugh wrote the score to the Robin Williams film Moscow on the Hudson. In addition to the instrumental music, McHugh also wrote several songs for the film including "Freedom." That original version of the song was performed by Chaka Khan. Khan also sang the song "Starting Over Again" for the soundtrack. Neither song was released as a single. The Pointer Sisters would then later pick up "Freedom" and record it for their album. McHugh would continue to write music for films, TV shows, commercials, and stage musicals.

_________________________________________________________________________________