Free Me (Emma Bunton song) explained

"Free Me" is a song by English singer Emma Bunton from her second solo studio album of the same name (2003). It was written by Bunton along with Hélène Muddiman and Mike Peden, and produced by the latter. The song was released by 19 Recordings and Universal Records on 26 May 2003 as the album's lead single. "Free Me" debuted and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Bunton's fourth UK top-five single. The single also peaked at number four on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Background

In 2001, Bunton released her first solo album, A Girl Like Me, through Virgin Records. It spent over 12 weeks in the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number four and earning a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It also produced her only solo chart-topper "What Took You So Long?", as well as the top-five singles "What I Am" and "Take My Breath Away", and the top-20 entry "We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight". She then left Virgin,^[1] and signed a new deal with 19 Recordings, run by the former Spice Girls' manager Simon Fuller.^{[2] [3]}

Commercial performance

Released on 26 May 2003 in the United Kingdom, "Free Me" debuted and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart in the week ending 7 June 2003, becoming Bunton's fourth non-consecutive UK top-five single. It also reached number five on the Scottish Singles Chart and peaked at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart. In the United States, "Free Me" peaked at number four on Billboards Hot Dance Club Play chart. It was Bunton's first solo single to enter the chart.

Music video

An music video for "Free Me" was directed by Tim Royes and filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including locations such as Macumba Beach, Guanabara Bay and the Alto da Boa Vista neighbourhood.^[4]

Track listings

Notes

• signifies an additional producer

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Free Me.^[5]

• Emma Bunton – vocals, songwriting
• Richard Dowling – mastering
• Martin Hayles – keyboards, recording
• Graham Kearns – guitar
• Nick Ingman – orchestra arrangement, orchestra conducting
• Isobel Griffiths Ltd – orchestra contractor

• Hélène Muddiman – backing vocals, keyboards, songwriting
• Mike Peden – bass guitar, production, songwriting
• Charlie Russell – live drums, programming
• Mark Stent – mixing
• Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003–2004)! scope="col"

Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)[6]	20

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)! scope="col"

Position
UK Singles (OCC)[7]	134

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format	Label
United Kingdom	26 May 2003		Polydor	[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Emma Bunton: Bringing up baby. . February 2004.
2. Web site: Dotmusic - Emma Bunton News - Baby grows-up . 28 November 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20021128170553/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/EmmaBunton/news/March2002/news24171.asp . 28 November 2002 . dead .
3. Web site: Dotmusic - interviews - Emma Bunton interview (2003) . 2 October 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20031002184850/http://www.dotmusic.com/interviews/May2003/interviews29404.asp . 2 October 2003 . live .
4. Web site: Delacerda . André . O Rio na Rota dos Videoclipes Internacionais. Eles Adoram o Rio! . Diário do Rio de Janeiro . pt . 30 June 2008 . 22 January 2018.
5. . liner notes . . . 2004 . 986615-8.
6. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles . . 21 . 25 . 14 June 2003 . 7 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
7. Web site: The Official UK Singles Chart 2003 . . 2 . 6 December 2018.
8. New Release Countdown: Singles. Music Week. 17. 24 May 2003. 5 September 2021.