To Be Free

Album: Runaway (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is the story of Passenger, aka Mike Rosenberg's, paternal grandparents, who were Jews living in France during World War II. They fled to Switzerland and stayed there in a refugee camp. Rosenberg's grandparents then moved to the States after the war, where they raised their four children, including the singer's dad.

    "It was a difficult childhood for my dad," Rosenberg told The Sun. "I'm proud of that song. At that point I decided to go with this Americana idea and produce it in an American way."

Comments: 1

  • June from Sunderland EnglandMike I, adore your new album, birds that flew and ships that sailed especially. I won't be there what's the story behind it?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."