"Sweet Freedom" is a song by Michael McDonald, written by Rod Temperton originally featured on Running Scared's soundtrack, before the 1986 re-release of McDonald's 1985 album No Lookin' Back. The track peaked at #7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (his last Top 10 hit in that chart), #12 in the UK, and #14 in Canada.

The single's music video directed by Leslie Libman featured McDonald, along with actors Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, in the film Running Scared.^[1]

Credits

Lead vocals – Michael McDonald
Backing vocals – Michael McDonald and Siedah Garrett
Guitars – Paul Jackson Jr. and Michael Thompson
Keyboards – Greg Phillinganes, Anthony Patler, Danny Sembello, Rod Temperton and Larry Williams
Synthesizer – Larry Williams
Synclavier – Wells Christie
Horns – David Boruff, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft, Bill Reichenbach and Larry Williams
Arrangements – Rod Temperton
Producers – Bruce Swedien, Rod Temperton and Dick Rudolph
Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien at Westlake Audio (Los Angeles, CA)

Charts

Chart (1986-1987)	Peak position
Canada The Record Singles Chart^[2]	25
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[3]	14
UK Singles (OCC)^[4]	12
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[5]	4
US Billboard Hot 100^[6]	7
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[7]	8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[8]	17

Year-end chart (1986)	Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)^[9]	75

Other notable versions

In 1998, Shawn Christopher released her version of the song Sweet Freedom which reached number 60 in France.^[10]
In 2002, Danish electronic percussion duo Safri Duo, featuring Michael McDonald, covered the song. It was released in June as the fourth and final single from their debut album, Episode II. This version charted in many European countries, hitting number 2 in Spain and number 3 in Wallonia.

References

^ "Songfacts". songfacts.com. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
^ Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0728." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
^ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
^ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
^ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
^ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
^ "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. December 27, 1986. p. Y-21.
^ [1]

v t e Michael McDonald
Studio albums	If That's What It Takes (1982) No Lookin' Back (1985) Take It to Heart (1990) Blink of an Eye (1993) Blue Obsession (2000) Motown (2003) Motown Two (2004) Soul Speak (2008) Wide Open (2017)
Compilation albums	Sweet Freedom (1986)
Singles	"I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" "Yah Mo B There" "No Lookin' Back" "Sweet Freedom" "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" "Reach Out, I'll Be There" "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" "Deck the Halls/Jingle Bells" "Walk On By" "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!"
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