Free (Deniece Williams song)

"Free" is a song by American singer Deniece Williams that was included on her album This Is Niecy. The song was written by Williams, Hank Redd, Nathan Watts and Susaye Greene and produced by Maurice White and Charles Stepney.^[1]

"Free"
Single by Deniece Williams
from the album This Is Niecy
B-side	"Cause You Love Me Baby"
Released	1976
Length	3:25
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Deniece Williams, Hank Redd, Nathan Watts, Susaye Greene
Producer(s)	Maurice White, Charles Stepney
Deniece Williams singles chronology
"Yes, I'm Ready" (1970) "Free" (1976) "It's Important to Me" (1976)

"Free" was Williams' breakthrough single reaching No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in May 1977.

Covers

• Tammy Payne covered the song in her release on Warner Records in 1990 in the UK.^[2]
• In 1998, M-Doc's version of the song for his album Young, Black, Rich and Famous and released as the lead single charted at number 61 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles.^[3]
• Bassist Marcus Miller recorded "Free" for his 2007 album of the same name. Corinne Bailey Rae provided lead vocals.^[4]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1976–1977) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 57 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] 18 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 32 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[8] 39 Ireland (IRMA)[9] 8 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 14 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 14 UK Singles (OCC)[12] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 25 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[14] 38 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 2 US Cash Box Top 100[16] 21

Year-end charts Chart (1977) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[17] 198 UK Singles (OCC)[18] 30

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[19]	Silver	250,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.