Privilege (Set Me Free)

"Privilege (Set Me Free)" is a song by the Patti Smith Group and released as the second single from their 1978 album Easter. The original version of the song was titled "Free Me" and was written by Mel London and Mike Leander for the 1967 film Privilege and released in the United States as a single by The Pace on the Reprise label in 1968. Patti spoke sections of Psalm 23 over the instrumental bridge among other lyrical additions. During the beginning recoding process, Wayne Kramer of MC5 played guitar on "Privilege (Set Me Free)". Although reportedly there was friction during the recording sessions with Smith expressing dissatisfaction with Kramer's guitar playing. This led to Kramer leaving the studio, along with his involvement in the record disappearing.

"Privilege (Set Me Free)"
Single by Patti Smith Group
from the album Easter
B-side	"25th Floor" (Live)
Released	4 August 1978
Recorded	Record Plant Studios
Length	3:27
Label	Arista
Songwriter(s)	Mel London, Mike Leander, Psalm 23
Producer(s)	Jimmy Iovine
Patti Smith singles chronology
""Because the Night"" (1978) ""Privilege (Set Me Free)"" (1978) "Frederick" (1979)

Liner notes

The following is quoted from the album:

the title track from the john hayman-peter watkins production of the film privilege. a movie that

merged the rock martyr (paul jones) with all the sacristal images of the sixties...the cross..

the christ..the whip and the lashes that served to veil velvet weeping balls-the eyes

of jean shrimpton.

Charts

Chart (1978)[1][2]	Position
UK Singles Chart	72
Irish Singles Chart	13