| "Born Free" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byKid Rock | ||||
| from the albumBorn Free | ||||
| Released | October 29, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Studio | Shangri-La | |||
| Genre | Country[1] | |||
| Length | 5:13 4:24 (edit) | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriters | R. J. Ritchie, Marlon Young | |||
| Producer | Rick Rubin | |||
| Kid Rock singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Born Free" is a song byKid Rock from his eighth studio albumof the same name. It was released as the lead single for the album on October 29, 2010, which was released on November 16, 2010.[2]
A music video was also filmed for the single, filming took place in theUpper Peninsula of Michigan. It features Rock driving through the valleys in his car and on his motorcycle throughout the video. The farm he is standing in the field of is Cook's Farm Dairy in Ortonville. At the end of the video, Kid Rock is seen on a beach along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior finishing up the song.
| Chart (2010–11) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 21 |
| European Hot 100 | 95 |
| Germany (Media Control AG)[3] | 23 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 97 |
| Switzerland (Media Control AG) | 42 |
| USAdult Contemporary (Billboard) | 26 |
| USAdult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[4] | 39 |
| USHot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 52 |
| USMainstream Rock Songs (Billboard) | 14 |
| USRock Songs (Billboard) | 31 |
It was announced on December 7, 2011, that Republican hopefulMitt Romney would use the song as his campaign theme song.[6] Kid Rock subsequently issued a statement saying "He and anyone else who wants to use my song do not need my permission. I said he could use it and I would say the same for any other candidate."[7]
On February 27, 2012, Kid Rock joined Romney at a campaign rally in Detroit and performed the song. "He loves Michigan and Detroit and so do I," Romney said.[8] The rally occurred on the eve of theMichigan Republican primary, which saw Romney defeatRick Santorum.
Kid Rock also performed the song atRed Rocks, Colorado during the Romney campaign for a Rally. He also performed it at theVerizon Wireless Arena inManchester, New Hampshire at an "Election Eve Rally" with Romney which was the largest political event in New Hampshire history.
"Born Free" was featured in theTBS cable network's2010 Major League Baseball postseason coverage and is touted as an ode to American troops.[9]
He also performed it at theDetroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game in 2010.
Beginning on July 8, 2014,Detroit-basedChevrolet used the song to promote their summer sales.[10]
WWE used the song for their annualTribute to the Troops special.