Free Your Mind (song) on:
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"Free Your Mind" is a song by American female group
En Vogue
En Vogue is an American vocal girl group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland, California, in 1989, En Vogue reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 with the single "Hol ...
, released on September 24, 1992 as the third single from their critically acclaimed second album, ''
Funky Divas
''Funky Divas'' is the second studio album by American recording group En Vogue, released by Atlantic Records division East West on March 24, 1992 in the United States. Conceived after the success of their Grammy Award–nominated debut album '' ...
'' (1992). The anti-prejudice song became a Top 10 hit on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100 and a Top 20 hit on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
. ''Billboard'' named the song No. 41 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. The track was recorded between December 1991 and January 1992, composed and produced by Foster and McElroy. They were inspired by the
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American funk rock band formed in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1968 and active until 1982. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, pioneered the funk music culture of the 1970s.John, Bush. Funkadeli ...
song "
Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow." The guitar and bass tracks for the song were written and recorded by San Francisco-based guitarist Jinx Jones. The opening line: ''"Prejudice, wrote a song about it. Like to hear it? Here it go!"'', is adapted from a line originally used by
David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier (born June 30, 1956) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his work as Bernard on '' Damon'' (1998), as David Bellows on ''Life with Bonnie'' (2002–2004), as Joe Carmichael on ''The Carmichael Show'' (2015â ...
's character
Calhoun Tubbs from
Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
's ''
In Living Color
''In Living Color'' is an American sketch comedy television series that originally ran on Fox from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Keenen Ivory Wayans created, wrote and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in a ...
''. An alternative version of the song with different lyrics appears on the
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos OlÃmpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs OlÃmpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV OlimpÃada) and commonly known as ...
compilation album ''
Barcelona Gold''.
Critical reception
Quentin Harrison from Albumism described the song as "a searing rock number that challenged racism, sexism and other social phobias head on was all at once, smart, sexy and provocative."
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
's review critic, Jose F. Promis, voted the single very favorable and rated the ''
Funky Divas
''Funky Divas'' is the second studio album by American recording group En Vogue, released by Atlantic Records division East West on March 24, 1992 in the United States. Conceived after the success of their Grammy Award–nominated debut album '' ...
'' album its highest rating at five. He also called the track a "hard rock smash". Another editor,
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine (; born June 18, 1973) is an American music critic and senior editor for the online music database AllMusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for AllMusic, as well as a freelance writer, occ ...
described it as "swaggering". Jennifer Bowles from ''
Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...
'' called it a "plea for racial tolerance". Daryl Easlea for
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
noted that the song borrows from "heavy metal".
Larry Flick
Larry Flick is an American journalist, former dance music columnist, single reviewer, and Senior Talent Editor for ''Billboard'' magazine, where he worked for 14 years. Now he produces and hosts Sirius XM radio shows. Flick started in the music ...
from ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' wrote that it "takes in a more edgy direction than in the past." He added that placed "within a driving, guitar-anchored pop/rock setting, the group attacks well-crafted lyrics on racism with unrelenting passion and its trademark harmonies. Will jolt many at first, but will ultimately open many eyes." Dave Sholin from the ''
Gavin Report
The ''Gavin Report'' was a San Francisco-based radio industry trade publication. The publication was founded by radio performer Bill Gavin in 1958. Its Top 40 listings were used for many years by programmers to decide content of programs. The pu ...
'' commented, "Attacking prejudice head on, The Funky Divas offer advice to those who judge others by looks rather than action. Harmonies don't get any better than when these four incredible voices combine their talents."
Connie Johnson from ''
Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...
'' said that the song was a "pleasant surprise" "which confronts the prejudice even a funky diva faces, be it from store clerks--"I can't look without being watched!"—or those who don't understand that while they "might date another race or color, that doesn't mean I don't like my strong black brothers."" Pan-European magazine ''
Music & Media
''Music & Media'' was a pan-European magazine for radio, music and entertainment. It was published for the first time in 1984 as ''Eurotipsheet'', but in 1986 it changed name to ''Music & Media''. It was originally based in Amsterdam, but later ...
'' noted that "the "Jackies" of all trades are breaking all the barriers in radio land". They described it as "funk rock" and added that the song is a "
George Clinton cover as colourful as his dyed hair". Gerald Martinez from ''
New Sunday Times
The ''New Straits Times'' is an English-language newspaper published in Malaysia. It is Malaysia's oldest newspaper still in print (though not the first), having been founded as ''The Straits Times'' on 15 July 1845. It was relaunched as the ' ...
'' called the track "storming" and said it "combines hard rock riffng with funk while En Vogue wail away with awesome power." A reviewer from ''
People Magazine
''People'' is an American weekly magazine that specializes in celebrity news and human-interest stories. It is published by Dotdash Meredith, a subsidiary of IAC (company), IAC. With a readership of 46.6 million adults in 2009, ''People ...
'' viewed the track as a "the
Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters are an American pop and R&B singing group from Oakland, California, that achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Their repertoire has included such diverse genres as pop, jazz, electronic music, bebop, bl ...
-meet-
Van Halen
Van Halen ( ) was an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. Credited with "restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene", Van Halen was known for its energetic live shows and for the virtuosity of its lead gu ...
rocker". Pop Rescue called it "a rock track, with roaring guitars that perfectly duel the powerful vocal performance". They noted "the fantastically intricate roaring guitar solo, and the vocal energy." Cheo H. Coker from ''
Stanford Daily'' said that En Vogue's "foray into rock 'n' roll
scompletely unsuited for the group, reminiscent of
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
's "
Black Cat
A black cat is a domestic cat with black fur that may be a mixed or specific breed, or a common domestic cat of no particular breed. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognizes 22 cat breeds that can come with solid black coats. The Bombay b ...
". While the song has great message, black rock is better left to the black rockers." Laura Checkoway from ''
Vibe
''Vibe'' is an American music and entertainment magazine founded by producers David Salzman and Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip hop music artists, actors and other entertainers. After shutting down productio ...
'' described "Free Your Mind" as a "rock-ish anthem with a George Clinton-lifted chorus".
Commercial performance
"Free Your Mind" debuted at number 89 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 the week of September 12, 1992. Within one week, it jumped to number 45, then to number 25, and continued to make impressive strides until it eventually peaked at number 8 the week of October 31, 1992. Altogether, "Free Your Mind" spent 16 weeks in the top 40 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. It reached the top twenty in the UK, where it was released as a double A-side single with "
Giving Him Something He Can Feel".
Music video and other notable performances
The song is known for its innovative, award-winning
music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
, directed by
Mark Romanek
Mark Romanek (; born September 18, 1959) is an American filmmaker whose directing work includes feature films, television, music videos and commercials. Romanek wrote and directed the 2002 film ''One Hour Photo'' and directed the 2010 film '' Neve ...
with production design by
Nigel Phelps and art direction by
Brad Hartmaier. On March 21, 1992, En Vogue performed "Free Your Mind" on ''Saturday Night Live'' for the first time to a positive reception.
On January 21, 1993, En Vogue performed the song on a sixth-season episode of the
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
sitcom ''
A Different World
''A Different World'' is an American sitcom (and a spin-off of ''The Cosby Show'') television series that aired for six seasons on NBC from September 24, 1987 to July 9, 1993. The series originally centered on Denise Huxtable ( Lisa Bonet) an ...
'', where they guest-starred as Vernon Gaines' nieces. It was certified gold by the
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...
in late 1992. It is one of several songs to feature all four members of the group on lead vocals.
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
included the video in the ''
Countdown
A countdown is a sequence of backward counting to indicate the time remaining before an event is scheduled to occur. NASA commonly employs the terms "L-minus" and "T-minus" during the preparation for and anticipation of a rocket launch, and eve ...
'' of her twenty-five favorite videos of all-time at number eleven.
Track listings
* US CD single
# "Free Your Mind" (LP Edit) – 4:10
# "Just Can't Stay Away" – 5:11
* UK CD maxi single
# "Free Your Mind" (LP Edit) – 4:10
# "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (LP Version) – 3:55
# "Free Your Mind" (Tommy's Spoiled Brat Edit) – 3:58
# "Time Goes On" (Dance Remix) – 5:45
* US CD maxi single
# "Free Your Mind" (Theo's Rec And Wreck Mix) – 5:41
# "Free Your Mind" (Tommy's Spoiled Brat Mix) – 5:00
# "Free Your Mind" (James' Club Mix) – 4:55
# "Free Your Mind" (Marley Marl Remix) – 5:27
# "Lies" (Eddie F Remix) – 5:43
Remix producers
Theo Mizuhara, Martin Van Blockson (UK CD Single)
Theo Mizuhara, James Earley, Marley Marl, DJ Eddie F, Dave Hall (US CD Single)
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards, 1993
*
Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group (''nominated'')
*
Best Music Video, Short Form (''nominated'')
MTV Video Music Awards, 1993
*
Video of the Year (''nominated'')
*
Best Group Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Group (also known as the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video) is given to recording artists at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). The award was introduced at the inaugural ceremony in 1984 by vocalis ...
(''nominated'')
*
Best R&B Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B was first awarded in 1993 under the name of Best R&B Video, and it was given every year until 2006, as the following year MTV revamped the VMAs and eliminated all the genre categories. The following year, thou ...
(won)
*
Best Dance Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video was first awarded in 1989, and it was one of the original four genre categories that were added to the MTV Video Music Awards that year. With a revamp of the awards in 2007, the category was cut out ...
(won)
*
Viewer's Choice Award (''nominated'')
*
Best Direction – Mark Romanek (''nominated'')
*
Best Choreography – Travis Payne, Frank Gatson, and Lavelle Smith (won)
*
Best Cinematography – Marc Reshovsky (''nominated'')
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Cover versions and other use
The Band covered the song on their 1996 album ''
High on the Hog'', and by
Sub7even in 2002.
Japanese R&B duo
Double
A double is a look-alike or doppelgänger; one person or being that resembles another.
Double, The Double or Dubble may also refer to:
Film and television
* Double (filmmaking), someone who substitutes for the credited actor of a character
* Th ...
recorded a cover of the song in 1995 and included it on their first remix album ''
Crystal Planet
''Crystal Planet'' is the seventh studio album by guitarist Joe Satriani, released on March 3, 1998 through Epic Records.Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Erlewine, Stephen Thomas"Crystal Planet - Joe Satriani" ''AllMusic''. RhythmOne. Retrieved April 17, ...
''.
The song was covered as part of a mash-up on Fox's ''
Glee
Glee means delight, a form of happiness.
Glee may also refer to:
* Glee (music), a type of English choral music
* ''Glee'' (TV series), an American musical comedy-drama TV series, and related media created by Ryan Murphy
* ''Glee'' (Bran Van 30 ...
'' along with "
Stop! In the Name of Love
"Stop! In the Name of Love" is a 1965 song recorded by the Supremes for the Motown label.
Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Stop! In the Name of Love" held the #1 position on the ''Billboard'' ...
" by
the Supremes
The Supremes were an American girl group and a premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s. Founded as the Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and the most successful ...
in the episode "
Never Been Kissed
''Never Been Kissed'' is a 1999 American romantic comedy film directed by Raja Gosnell and starring Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba, David Arquette, Michael Vartan, Leelee Sobieski, Jeremy Jordan, Molly Shannon, Garry Marshall, John C. Reilly ...
".
Swedish band Slapdash covered the song, track 13 on the album ''Actual Reality''.
The song was used on the show ''
Modern Family
''Modern Family'' is an American family sitcom television series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan for the American Broadcasting Company. It ran for 11 seasons, from September 23, 2009, to April 8, 2020. It follows the lives of thr ...
'' in an episode titled "Manny Get Your Gun" during a flash mob scene.
Greek pop star
Elena Paparizou
Helena Paparizou (; , ; born 31 January 1962) is a Swedish-born Greek singer, songwriter and television personality. Born and raised in Sweden to Greek parents, she enrolled in various arts schools before launching a career in Sweden in 1999 as ...
who performed a cover of the song at the first MadWalk by Vodafone on February 2, 2011 along with her smash hit single "
Baby It's Over
"Baby It's Over" is a song by the Greek Pop singer Helena Paparizou. It was released as the lead single from her first compilation album '' Greatest Hits & More'', written by Tamminen, Ahlstedt & Sörvaag and produced by DonK. The song first pr ...
", dressed by Apostolos Mitropoulos.
The track has been included in
Les Mills
Leslie Roy Mills (born 1 November 1934) is a retired New Zealand track and field athlete and politician. He represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games over two decades, competing in the shot put and discus throw. He w ...
' most recent
BodyVive class. The song was used in the trailer for the
Seth Rogen
Seth Aaron Rogen (; born April 15, 1982) is a Canadian-American actor, comedian and filmmaker. Originally a stand-up comedian in Vancouver, he moved to Los Angeles for a part in Judd Apatow's series ''Freaks and Geeks'', and then got a part on ...
comedy ''
The Interview
''The Interview'' is a 2014 satirical alternate history action-comedy film co-produced and directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg in their second directorial work, following ''This Is the End'' (2013). The screenplay was written by Dan Ste ...
''.
The song was used in the 1994 film ''
The Cowboy Way''.
A theme tune was used for an early series of ''
Rory Bremner, Who Else'' in 1993 that bears a strikingly similar beat and guitar hook.
En Vogue recorded a second alternative version in 2017 for the
Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...
shows ''
Orange Is the New Black
''Orange Is the New Black'' (sometimes abbreviated to ''OITNB'') is an American comedy-drama streaming television series created by Jenji Kohan for Netflix. The series is based on Piper Kerman's memoir '' Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Wo ...
'' and ''
GLOW''.
The song was used in episode 10 of the sixth season of ''
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars'' is an American reality competition spin off edition of the original ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', which is produced by World of Wonder, for Logo TV and later VH1. The show premiered on October 22, 2012, on Logo TV, b ...
'' during a lip-sync battle between Serena ChaCha and Jiggly Caliente.
The song was again used on episode 3 of the second season of Drag Race Holland during a lip-sync battle between The Countness and Ivy Elyse Munroe.
Acapella girl group
Citizen Queen covered it in 2020.
British girl-group
Little Mix
Little Mix are a British girl group, composed of group members Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, and Perrie Edwards. Jesy Nelson was originally part of the group before she left in 2020. After becoming the first group to win the British ver ...
sang the chorus of "Free Your Mind" as the bridge during a rock rendition of their song "
Woman Like Me
"Woman Like Me" is a song by British girl group Little Mix featuring rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on 12 October 2018, by Syco Music, as the lead single from the group's fifth studio album '' LM5''. The song was co written by Jess Glynne ...
" during their 2022
Confetti Tour.
See also
*
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.
Specific locations
* 1992 in British music
* 1992 in Norwegian music
Specific genres
* 1992 in country music
* 1992 in heavy metal music
* 1992 in hip hop music
* 199 ...
References
External links
En Vogue – Free Your Mind – Amazon.com"Free Your Mind" UK Maxi-Single-Discogs
{{Authority control
1992 singles
1992 songs
American hard rock songs
En Vogue songs
Music videos directed by Mark Romanek
Songs against racism and xenophobia
Songs written by Denzil Foster
Songs written by Thomas McElroy
Song recordings produced by Foster & McElroy
East West Records singles