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

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.