Free Me (Emma Bunton song)

"Free Me" is a song by English singer Emma Bunton from her second solo studio album of the same name (2003). It was written by Bunton along with Hélène Muddiman and Mike Peden, and produced by the latter. The song was released by 19 Recordings and Universal Records on 26 May 2003 as the album's lead single. "Free Me" debuted and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Bunton's fourth UK top-five single. The single also peaked at number four on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.

"Free Me"
Single by Emma Bunton
from the album Free Me
B-side	"Who the Hell are You" "Tomorrow"
Released	26 May 2003 (2003-05-26)
Length	4:28
Label	19 Universal
Songwriter(s)	Emma Bunton Hélène Muddiman Mike Peden
Producer(s)	Mike Peden
Emma Bunton singles chronology
"We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight" (2001) "Free Me" (2003) "Maybe" (2003)
Licensed audio
"Free Me" on YouTube

Background

In 2001, Bunton released her first solo album, A Girl Like Me, through Virgin Records. It spent over 12 weeks in the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number four and earning a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It also produced her only solo chart-topper "What Took You So Long?", as well as the top-five singles "What I Am" and "Take My Breath Away", and the top-20 entry "We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight". She then left Virgin,^[1] and signed a new deal with 19 Recordings, run by the former Spice Girls' manager Simon Fuller.^[2][3]

Commercial performance

Released on 26 May 2003 in the United Kingdom, "Free Me" debuted and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart in the week ending 7 June 2003,^[4] becoming Bunton's fourth non-consecutive UK top-five single.^[4] It also reached number five on the Scottish Singles Chart and peaked at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart.^[5][6] In the United States, "Free Me" peaked at number four on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.^[7] It was Bunton's first solo single to enter the chart.^[7]

Music video

A music video for "Free Me" was directed by Tim Royes and filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including locations such as Macumba Beach, Guanabara Bay and the Alto da Boa Vista neighbourhood.^[8]

Track listings

UK CD 1

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Free Me"	Emma Bunton Hélène Muddiman Mike Peden	Peden	3:36
2.	"Who the Hell Are You"	Bunton Nigel Butler Ray Hedges	Hedges	3:20
3.	"Free Me" (Full Intention's Freed Up Mix)	Bunton Muddiman Peden	Peden Michael Gray & Jon Pearn[a]	7:08
4.	"Free Me" (video)			4:28

UK CD 2

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Free Me"	Bunton Muddiman Peden	Peden	4:28
2.	"Tomorrow"	Bunton Yak Bondy	Bondy	3:56
3.	"Free Me" (Full Intention's Sultra Mix)	Bunton Muddiman Peden	Peden Michael Gray & Jon Pearn[a]	6:18

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies an additional producer

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Free Me.^[9]

Emma Bunton – vocals, songwriting Richard Dowling – mastering Martin Hayles – keyboards, recording Graham Kearns – guitar Nick Ingman – orchestra arrangement, orchestra conducting Isobel Griffiths Ltd – orchestra contractor

Hélène Muddiman – backing vocals, keyboards, songwriting Mike Peden – bass guitar, production, songwriting Charlie Russell – live drums, programming Mark Stent – mixing Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Free Me" Chart (2003–2004) Peak position Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)[10] 20 Ireland (IRMA)[6] 33 Scotland (OCC)[5] 5 UK Singles (OCC)[4] 5 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[7] 4 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[11] 8

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Free Me" Chart (2003) Position UK Singles (OCC)[12] 134

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Free Me"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United Kingdom	26 May 2003	CD single cassette single	Polydor	[13]