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"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 No.7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (his last Top 10 hit in that chart), No.12 in the UK, and No.14 in Canada.
| "Sweet Freedom" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Single Cover | ||||
| Single by Michael McDonald | ||||
| from the album Sweet Freedom and Running Scared soundtrack | ||||
| B-side | "The Freedom Eights" | |||
| Released | June 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Studio | Westlake Audio, Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | R&B, blue-eyed soul, dance-pop | |||
| Length | 3:57 (radio mix) / 7:38 (12" version) | |||
| Label | MCA Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rod Temperton | |||
| Producer(s) | Rod Temperton, Bruce Swedien, Richard Rudolph (credited as Dick Rudolph) | |||
| Michael McDonald singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
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]
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- 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)
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| 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 |
- In 1998, Shawn Christopher released her version which reached No. 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 No.2 in Spain and No.3 in Wallonia.
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