| "Born Free" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byMatt Monro | ||||
| from the albumBorn Free soundtrack | ||||
| B-side | "Other People" | |||
| Released | 1966 (1966) | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 3:07 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Composer | John Barry | |||
| Lyricist | Don Black | |||
| Matt Monro singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| "Born Free" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byRoger Williams | ||||
| from the album Born Free | ||||
| B-side | "Jimmie's Train" | |||
| Released | July 1966 (1966-07) | |||
| Length | 2:22 | |||
| Label | Kapp | |||
| Composer | John Barry | |||
| Lyricist | Don Black | |||
| Producer | Hy Grill | |||
| Roger Williams singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Born Free" is apopular song with music byJohn Barry and lyrics byDon Black.[1] It was written for the1966film of the same name and won anAcademy Award for Best Original Song.[1]
The song's composers, John Barry and Don Black, asked British singerMatt Monro, who was managed by Black at the time, to record the song for the film's soundtrack. The producers of the film considered the song uncommercial, however, and deleted it from the print shown at its Royal Command premiere inLondon. When Monro, who attended the event, made Black aware of the edit, they successfully lobbied the producers to restore it. Monro's interpretation appeared over the closing credits in a shortened version recorded especially for the film, which enabled it to qualify for the Academy Award. Monro's complete commercial recording was released on the film's soundtrack album and became the singer's signature tune for the remainder of his career.
Matt Monro's version never charted. However,Roger Williams recorded a cover that was noted for its use of a male chorus, heard in the second half of the song after the instrumental section. The song reached number seven on theBillboard Hot 100 and number one on theAdult contemporary chart for six non-consecutive weeks in September/October 1966.[2]
The R&B groupthe Hesitations recorded a cover that peaked at number 38 on the USBillboard Hot 100 in 1968.[3]
"Born Free" also appeared on theVic Reeves albumI Will Cure You. Released as a single, this version peaked at number 6 in theUK Singles Chart in 1991.[1]
In 1992, during a state of emergency inThailand, the song was broadcast over the airwaves.[4]
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