Born Free

About Born Free

"Born Free" is a popular song with music by John Barry, and lyrics by Don Black. It was written for the 1966 film of the same name and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song's composers John Barry and Don Black asked British singer Matt Monro, who was managed by Black at the time, to record the song for the film's soundtrack. The producers of the film considered the song uncommercial, however, and deleted it from the print shown at its Royal Command premiere in London. When Monro, who attended the event, made Black aware of the edit, they successfully lobbied the producers to restore it. Monro's interpretation appeared over the closing credits in a shortened version recorded especially for the film, which enabled it to qualify for the Academy Award. Monro's complete commercial recording was released on the film's soundtrack album and became the singer's signature tune for the remainder of his career. Roger Williams, Andy Williams, and Frank Sinatra all recorded cover versions. Roger Williams' version was noted for its use of a male chorus, which is heard in the second half of the song, which followed the instrumental portion. The song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Adult contemporary chart for six non-consecutive weeks in September/October 1966, while Andy Williams' version was not released as a single. Ed Ames recorded a version of the song in a 1968 album. "Born Free" also appeared on the Vic Reeves album I Will Cure You. Released as a single, this version peaked at #6 in the UK Singles Chart in 1991. The r&b group The Hesitations recorded a cover that peaked at #38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. Other recordings have included an instrumental version of the song recorded by Hank Marvin in 1969, and released both as a single and on his eponymous album; calypso singer Mighty Sparrow's collaboration with Byron Lee for their 1969 album Only a Fool; trumpet player Maynard Ferguson on his 1969 album The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson; and a recording by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir featured in the 2005 film Madagascar. It was also featured on the 2007 soundtrack Dexter: Music From the Television Series. The song was also parodied in The Simpsons, in the episode "Whacking Day" (aired 1993), which was sung by Gene Merlino. more »