Philadelphia Freedom is the 10th track to feature here from Elton Hercules John. I listened to him more than any other music artist before I reached the age around 13. To say his early records did the rounds on our family turntable would be an understatement. One of my biggest regrets as far as musical yearnings is concerned is not having seen him in concert.
Philadelphia Freedom was released as a single in 1975, credited to the Elton John Band. The song was the fourth of John’s six number 1 US hits during the early and mid-1970s, which saw his recordings dominating the charts.
I used to be a rollin’ stone, you know
If a cause was right
I’d leave to find the answer on the road
I used to be a heart beatin’ for someone
But the times have changed
The less I say, the more my work gets done
[Chorus]
‘Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom
From the day that I was born, I’ve waved the flag
Philadelphia freedom took me knee–high to a man, yeah
Gave me peace of mind my daddy never had
[Post-Chorus]
Oh, Philadelphia freedom, shine on me, I love ya
Shine the light through the eyes of the ones left behind
Shine the light, shine the light
Shine the light, won’t you shine the light?
Philadelphia freedom, I lo-o-ove ya
Yes, I do
Philadelphia freedom was written by John and Taupin as a favour to John’s friend, tennis star Billie Jean King, who was part of the Philadelphia Freedoms professional tennis team. Elton John met Billie Jean King in 1973 and, according to reporters for CNN, they have since built a “powerful partnership in philanthropy, raising hundreds of millions of dollars…for equal rights and for HIV/AIDS causes“.
The song was at the time the only song Elton John and Bernie Taupin had ever consciously written as a single. In His Song: The Musical History of Elton John, Elizabeth Rosenthal recounts that Taupin said, “I can’t write a song about tennis“, and did not. Taupin maintains that the lyrics bear no relation to tennis, Philadelphia soul, or even flag-waving patriotism. Nonetheless, the lyrics have been interpreted as patriotic and uplifting.
The song’s sentiment, intentionally or not, meshed perfectly with an American music audience gearing up for the country’s bicentennial celebration in July 1976.
References:
1. Philadelphia Freedom (song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I can’t say enough about this song. It takes me back to when I was 8 or 9… One of my favorites by Elton John…this one and Tiny Dancer…
I didn’t appreciate this song in my youth like I did most of his material. I’ve learnt to enjoy ‘Philadelphia Freedom’ over time as it feels more relatable for nostalgic reasons. The same with Tiny Dancer.
Elton is awesome. He was my favorite back then. He is awesome in concert….
Same here, he was my favourite pre my Dylan / Springsteen obsession. Where / when did you Elton in concert?
I must have seen him 8 or 9 times, all in Michigan. The first time was July 5th 1976, just out of high-school. Pontiac Silverdome. He came out dressed like the Statue of Liberty 🗽. He changed costumes 3 times. Was unbelievable. That was the wildest. But everytime I saw him he was Fantastic like the Captain…..
The Captain?
You have made me so envious Tom! Thanks for sharing all that. So it wasn’t this concert below?
That is it. First time I saw him. Before Dylan, Elton was my favorite. Still love him. Check out Hill Auditorium Ann Arbor Michigan 1979. Just Elton and his piano. Halfway through Ray Cooper came out for a little bass. One of the best concerts I ever saw…memories of Elton make me smile….
If it’s on YT I’ll watch Hill Auditorium Ann Arbor Michigan 1979 with the kids this morning. They are huge fans. Thanks for sharing your reflections Tom which make me smile too…Cheers
Cool Matt! Elton is awesome…..
Love it!!! Hope is well Matt!
Fantastic song. Elton John really churned out great music during the first half of the ’70s. I also like many of the songs on his 1983 “Too Low For Zero” album. In retrospect, I also regret not having seen John, though I wasn’t as fond of his music he released after his aforementioned 1983 album.
That’s quite a coincidence you mentioned the ‘Too Low for Zero’ album since I have mentioned a few times here how much I love that album and seems to get swept under the carpet as people associate John’s music so much to his first half 70’s output. Yeh, it’s a bummer as you can relate to not having seen him. I saw Billy Joel since my friend was a huge fan back at school, but didn’t see Elton. Hmmm.
Love, love, love this song! One of my all-time favorites from E.J.