Freedom (Robert Miles song)

"Freedom" is a song by Swiss-Italian musician Robert Miles featuring American singer-songwriter Kathy Sledge, known from the group Sister Sledge. The song was released on 10 November 1997 via Deconstruction label as the lead single from Miles' second album, 23am (1997). It peaked at number two in Italy and was a top 10 hit also in Spain, while reaching the top 20 in Finland, Scotland and the UK.

"Freedom"
Standard artwork
Single by Robert Miles featuring Kathy Sledge
from the album 23am
B-side	"Remix"
Released	10 November 1997
Genre	Electronic ambient chill-out
Length	4:12
Label	Deconstruction
Songwriter(s)	Roberto Concina Frank Musker
Producer(s)	Robert Miles
Robert Miles featuring Kathy Sledge singles chronology
"One and One" (1996) "Freedom" (1997) "Full Moon" (1998)

Critical reception

A reviewer from Music Week gave the song three out of five, writing, "Starting with tinkly piano evocative of Children, then moving into Kathy Sledge's soaring vocals, Miles aims for a symphonic anthem — but somehow this lacks real drive."^[1] The magazine's Alan Jones commented, "Abandoning the waifish vocals of Maria Naylor, Robert Miles has teamed up with the throatier Kathy Sledge. The pair's new track, Freedom, lacks the instant charm of Miles' previous singles but grows with repeated listening, though it's a little muted, sounding more like a demo than finished product."^[2] James Hyman from the RM Dance Update rated the song four out of five, noting it as "simply inspired by ordinary life", having "Robert's distinct piano-tinkling and lush arrangement".^[3]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Massimiliano Iacono, which was released in November 1997.

Track listings

• CD maxi, 1997

1. "Freedom" (Radio Edit) - 4:12
2. "Freedom" (Original Edit) - 4:08
3. "Freedom" (Robert Miles Club Mix) - 5:20
4. "Freedom" (Album Version) - 6:27

• Double maxi

1. "Freedom" (Radio Edit) - 4:12
2. "Freedom" (Original Edit) - 4:08
3. "Freedom" (Robert Miles Club Mix) - 5:23
4. "Freedom" (Frankie Knuckles Classic Club Mix) - 7:56
5. "Freedom" (Frankie Knuckles "The Shit" Mix) - 7:18
6. "Freedom" (Frankie Knuckles Director's Cut Dub) - 9:50

Charts

Chart (1997–1998)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)^[4]	4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[5]	17
Germany (Official German Charts)^[6]	75
Ireland (IRMA)^[7]	27
Italy (Musica e dischi)^[8]	2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[9]	47
Scotland (OCC)^[10]	15
Spain (AFYVE)^[11]	9
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[12]	59
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[13]	41
UK Singles (OCC)^[14]	15

References

1. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 8 November 1997. p. 14. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
2. Jones, Alan (1 November 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
3. Hyman, James (8 November 1997). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 9. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
4. "Robert Miles feat. Kathy Sledge – Freedom" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
5. "Robert Miles feat. Kathy Sledge: Freedom" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
6. "Robert Miles feat. Kathy Sledge – Freedom" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
7. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Freedom". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
8. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 51. 20 December 1997. p. 14. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
9. "Robert Miles feat. Kathy Sledge – Freedom". Top 40 Singles.
10. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
11. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
12. "Robert Miles feat. Kathy Sledge – Freedom". Singles Top 100.
13. "Robert Miles feat. Kathy Sledge – Freedom". Swiss Singles Chart.
14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.