Free Your Mind (song)

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"Free Your Mind" is a song by American female group En Vogue. Released on September 24, 1992, "Free Your Mind" is the third single released from their critically acclaimed hit album Funky Divas. The anti-prejudice song became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and a top 20 hit on the UK Singles Chart. AllMusic's review critic, Jose F. Promis, voted the single very favorable and rated the album its highest rating at five. Billboard named the song #41 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

Video Free Your Mind (song)

Song information

"Free Your Mind" was recorded between December 1991 - January 1992, composed and produced by Foster and McElroy. The track includes a chorus line of the George Clinton/Funkadelic song, "Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow" with his permission. The guitar and bass tracks for the song were written and recorded by San Francisco-based guitarist Jinx Jones. The opening line: "Prejudice, wrote a song about it. Like to hear it? Here it go!", is adapted from a line originally used by David Alan Grier's character Calhoun Tubbs from Fox's In Living Color. An alternate version of the song with different lyrics appears on the 1992 Summer Olympics compilation album Barcelona Gold.

Maps Free Your Mind (song)

Critical reception

Billboard wrote about the song: "Third offering from quartet's platinum-selling "Funky Divas" opus takes in a more edgy direction than in the past. Placed within a driving, guitar-anchored pop/rock setting, the group attacks well-crafted lyrics on racism with unrelenting passion and its trademark harmonies. Will jolt many at first, but will ultimately open many eyes."

The Gavin Report wrote: "Attacking prejudice head on, The Funky Divas offer advice to those who judge others by looks rather than action. Harmonies don't get any better than when these four incredible voices combine their talents."

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Commercial performance

"Free Your Mind" debuted at number #89 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 the week of September 12, 1992. Within one week, it jumped to number 45, then to number 25, and continued to make impressive strides until it eventually peaked at number 8 the week of October 31, 1992. Altogether, "Free Your Mind" spent 16 weeks in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. It reached the top twenty in the UK, where it was released as a double A-side single with "Giving Him Something He Can Feel".

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Music video

The song is known for its innovative, award-winning music video, directed by Mark Romanek. On March 21, 1992, En Vogue performed 'Free Your Mind' on Saturday Night Live for the first time to a positive reception. On January 21, 1993, En Vogue would perform the song on a sixth-season episode of the NBC sitcom A Different World (where they guest-starred as Vernon Gaines' nieces). It was certified gold by the RIAA in late 1992. It is one of several songs to feature all four members of the group on lead vocals.

Janet Jackson included the video in the Countdown of her twenty-five favorite videos of all-time at number eleven.

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Cover versions and other use

The Band covered the song on their 1996 album High on the Hog, and by Sub7even in 2002.

The song was covered as part of a mash-up on Fox's Glee along with "Stop! In the Name of Love" by the Supremes in the episode "Never Been Kissed".

Swedish band Slapdash covered the song, track 13 on the album Actual Reality.

The song was used on the show Modern Family during a flash mob scene.

Greek pop star Elena Paparizou who performed a cover of the song at the first MadWalk By Vodafone on February 2, 2011 along with her smash hit single "Baby It's Over", dressed by Apostolos Mitropoulos.

The track has been included in Les Mills' most recent BodyVive class. The song was used in the trailer for the Seth Rogen comedy The Interview.

The song was used in the 1994 film The Cowboy Way.

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Formats and track listings

• US CD Single

1. "Free Your Mind" (LP Edit) - 4:10
2. "Just Can't Stay Away" - 5:11

• UK CD Maxi Single

1. "Free Your Mind" (LP Edit) - 4:10
2. "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (LP Version) - 3:55
3. "Free Your Mind" (Tommy's Spoiled Brat Edit) - 3:58
4. "Time Goes On" (Dance Remix) - 5:45

• US CD Maxi Single

1. "Free Your Mind" (Theo's Rec And Wreck Mix) - 5:41
2. "Free Your Mind" (Tommy's Spoiled Brat Mix) - 5:00
3. "Free Your Mind" (James' Club Mix) - 4:55
4. "Free Your Mind" (Marley Marl Remix) - 5:27
5. "Lies" (Eddie F Remix) - 5:43

Remix producers

Theo Mizuhara, Martin Van Blockson (UK CD Single)
Theo Mizuhara, James Earley, Marley Marl, DJ Eddie F, Dave Hall (US CD Single)

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Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards, 1993

• Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group (nominated)
• Best Music Video, Short Form (nominated)

MTV Video Music Awards, 1993

• Video of the Year (nominated)
• Best Group Video (nominated)
• Best R&B Video (won)
• Best Dance Video (won)
• Viewer's Choice Award (nominated)
• Best Direction - Mark Romanek (nominated)
• Best Choreography - Travis Payne, Frank Gatson, and Lavelle Smith (won)
• Best Cinematography - Marc Reshovsky (nominated)

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Charts and certifications

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See also

• 1992 Los Angeles riots
• 1992 in music

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References

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External links

• En Vogue - Free Your Mind - Amazon.com
• "Free Your Mind" UK Maxi-Single-Discogs
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Source of article : Wikipedia