Blowin' Free

Album: Wishbone Four (1973)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about Annalena Nordstrom, the Swedish girlfriend of bass player Martin Turner from his days with Empty Vessels, an Ash precursor. They were playing at Torquay when there were about 200 Swedish girls on holiday. When he met her again in London a few years later, "She hadn't changed a bit."
  • In an in-depth interview with Lawrence Pugliese at the Moonshine Theatre, Scranton, during the 2005 Ashfest, Andy Powell was asked about "Blowin' Free." He said it was one of the very first songs they ever wrote, about 1971. Although he didn't comment on its inspiration, he remembered where it was written, at the Whisky A Go-Go on Sunset Boulevard.

    By "they" he meant himself and Wishbone Ash as it was then, because by the time of this interview, he was the only remaining original member, having clocked up over 35 years with the band, (although the original bass player and vocalist Martin Turner was still performing as Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash). >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
  • In a 2013 Songfacts interview with Andy Powell, he talked about coming up with the guitar riff on this song: "We were on tour with the Who, and I liked some of the chord progressions that Pete Townshend was doing, so all I did was take some of those ideas that he was coming up with and sped them up."
  • "Blowin' Free" is a track from Wishbone Ash's career-defining third album, Argus. It was named Album of the Year in the 1972 year-end issue of Sounds, beating the likes of Machine Head by Deep Purple and David Bowie's The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust.

Comments: 4

  • Di. Still Have This Vinyl from Daytona FlI made love to this album first time in 70s in Bong Air ForceBase corn field
  • Steve from Great Wakering, United KingdomI first heard the 'Argus' album in 1975 & was really impressed with the twin guitar sound. It's just so melodic, & Blowin Free is an all time favorite. It's got a great intro & I enjoyed working it out on guitar. Nice to know the name of the girl that inspired this too. Excellent song & album!
  • Jerry from Los Angeles, CaAndy Powell( Playing the flying V )is the only remaining original member. One of my brother's and I catch them in So. Calif every couple of year's. They are an excellent band, anybody that like's good rock and roll should make an attempt to see them whenever possible, you won't be sorry.
  • Lester from New York City, NyTwin Barrels Burning. These guys ROCK.
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."