Freedom (Johnny's Song)

Album: Face The River (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Johnny in "Freedom (Johnny's Song)" is Gavin DeGraw's dad, John Wayne DeGraw, who died in 2020. The song is a look at his life, which led him into the Army.

    On X, DeGraw posted that the song "is the story of my hard-working mother and father. I always thought our blue-collar heroes were not celebrated enough. I needed to tell their story."
  • The song is part of Gavin DeGraw's album Face The River, which is a chronicle of his parents' lives. His dad was still alive when he started it, but his mom Lynne, a detox specialist, died in 2017.
  • When DeGraw spoke with Songfacts in 2024, he said "Freedom (Johnny's Song)" is the song that defines him the most, "because that's what I'm from, that's the kind of people and culture I appreciate."

    "That's the other part," he added. "We don't just listen to songs as audience members, we're looking for somewhere to identify ourselves, and 'Freedom' identifies who I am."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."