2013 single by Dido
"No Freedom" is a song by English recording artist Dido. The song was released on 18 January 2013 as the lead single from her fourth studio album Girl Who Got Away (2013). The song was written and produced by Dido Armstrong and Rick Nowels, while Rollo Armstrong co-produced it. "No Freedom" is an acoustic ballad, with folk pop influences.
Lyrically, the song reflects on the necessity of allowing people to have freedom within the confines of a relationship. "No Freedom" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the smooth, simple, but gorgeous sound. The song has peaked to number 51 on the UK Singles Chart, the song has also charted in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland.
Background
"No Freedom" was written and produced by Dido and Rick Nowels, who has previously worked with her on the hit 'White Flag', while Rollo Armstrong co-produced it.[2] The song was written when Dido was pregnant at the time with her first son, Stanley, and recorded her vocals right up until the day he was born.[3] She recorded the song in Los Angeles, United States at Rick Nowels studio and finished the song at home with her brother Rollo Armstrong.[4]
Prior to the release of the single, snippets from the DJ COBRA Remix were leaked into the Internet. The melody is substantially different from the original. Later on, Dido explained on her official Twitter account that DJ Cobra - Peter Agyagos - was mistakenly sent an old demo to remix instead the final cut of the song.[5]
Lyrically, "No Freedom" talks about a painful story of heartbreak.[3] According to Dido, it is more about love in general, in all its forms.[4] The refrain, "No freedom without love", has been adopted by rebel groups in Syria. Dido told BBC News that after its release, she was getting many "letters from people who are in the middle of a war."[3] The song is a folky, acoustic guitar-based, reggae tinged,[6] midtempo song, featuring Dido's sleepy vocals.[7]
Critical reception
Critical reception was largely positive. Bernard Perusse of Montreal Gazette called it "simple, but gorgeous."[8] Elliot Robinson of So So Gay wrote that the song represents the album as a whole, calling it "pleasingly catchy and enjoyably smooth."[9] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian was more negative, writing that "Guitars strum gently, the tempo is mid, and Dido has never sounded more listless as she wanly informs her man that their relationship can't flourish unless she's free to wander."[10]
Chuck Campbell of Knoxville.com praised "Dido’s knack for gorgeous melody," writing that the song is a "simple, acoustic-driven opening track, that rolls out under her deliberate restraint as she sings."[11] Nick Levine of BBC Music called it "an odd soporific song."[12] Tim Ferrar of Recording Connection called it "one of the most subdued tracks on the record."[13]
Music video
Background
A music video to accompany the release of "No Freedom" was first released onto YouTube on 4 March 2013 at a total length of three minutes and fifteen seconds.[16] The music video was directed by Ethan Lader and filmed in downtown Los Angeles on 9 December 2012. She is wearing a turquoise leather coat.[17][18]
Synopsis
The video shows Dido standing on an empty city street surrounded by confetti.[19] The video also features montage of old-fashioned footage from the United States and Dido sitting in the back of a vintage Chevrolet Bel Air convertible.
Credits and personnel
- Written by Dido Armstrong and Rick Nowels
- Produced by Rollo, Dido and Rick Nowels
- Mixed by Ash Howes, Rollo and Dido
- Engineering and recording by Kieron Menzies
- Digital engineering by Mike Horner
- Vocals recorded by Richard Woodcraft
- Recorded at RAK recording Studios, London, The Green Building, Santa Monica, Ark Studios
- Vocals by Dido
- Guitar and keyboards by Rick Nowels
- Programming by Rollo
- Additional drum programming by UTRB
- All strings arranged and performed by Davide Rossi
- Mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound
Credits adapted from Girl Who Got Away album liner notes.[1]
