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

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."