Free Man in Paris

Single by Joni Mitchell From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Free Man in Paris

"Free Man in Paris" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. It appeared on her 1974 album Court and Spark, as well as her 1980 live album Shadows and Light. It is ranked No. 470 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Quick Facts Single by Joni Mitchell, from the album Court and Spark ...
"Free Man in Paris"
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Single by Joni Mitchell
from the album Court and Spark
B-side"People's Parties"
ReleasedJuly 1974
Recorded1973
GenreFolk jazz, jazz fusion
Length3:02
LabelAsylum
Songwriter(s)Joni Mitchell
Producer(s)Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell singles chronology
"Help Me"
(1974)
"Free Man in Paris"
(1974)
"Big Yellow Taxi (live)"
(1974)
Official Audio
"Free Man in Paris" on YouTube
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Background

The song is about music agent/promoter David Geffen, a close friend of Mitchell in the early 1970s, and describes Geffen during a trip the two made to Paris with Robbie Robertson and Dominique Robertson.[1] While Geffen is never mentioned by name, Mitchell describes how he works hard creating hits and launching careers but can find some peace while vacationing in Paris. Mitchell sings "I was a free man in Paris. I felt unfettered and alive. Nobody calling me up for favors. No one's future to decide."

Reception

Billboard described it as having a "good mix of acoustic and electric instrumentals" with Mitchell's "distinctive vocals."[2] Cash Box said that "lyrically, this is a total gem and the musical arrangement is letter perfect" and that "the melody is infectious."[3] Record World said that with this song Mitchell "needs no aid other than a healthy ear from American hit-pickers to ensure her yet another triumph."[4]

Bob Dylan selected it for inclusion on the Starbucks compilation album Joni Mitchell: Selected Songs in 2005. For the album's liner notes, Dylan wrote: "I always liked this song because I'd been to Paris and understood what being a free man there was all about. Paris was, after all, where freedom and the guillotine lived side by side. I'm not so sure that the meaning I heard in the song was what Joni intended but I couldn't stop listening to it".[5]

Chart performance

"Free Man in Paris" went to number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and to number two on the Easy Listening chart.[6]

Notable versions and covers

Personnel

Charts

More information Chart (1974), Peak position ...
Chart performance for "Free Man in Paris"
Chart (1974) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9]16
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[10]3
US Billboard Hot 100[11]22
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[12]2
US Cash Box Top 100[13] 23
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References

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