Free Me (Emma Bunton song)
# Free Me (Emma Bunton song)

"Free Me" is a song by the English singer Emma Bunton from her second solo studio album of the same name (2003). The song was written by Bunton, Hélène Muddiman and Mike Peden, and produced by the latter. It was released on 26 May 2003 as the album's lead single. It 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. An accompanying music video 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.

## 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, and signed a new deal with 19 Recordings, run by the former Spice Girls' manager Simon Fuller. Bunton said, "We've always been in contact with Simon (Fuller): we've always texted each other and he was very supportive of my last album. And when I went through all these changes as I mentioned earlier I wanted people around me who were confident in me and wanted to support me and give me that extra push. I wanted people who believed in what I did and I knew, the whole time, that Simon believed in me. It felt really natural and I knew he was the best manager around and he'd allow me to be opinionated. For me, I know exactly what I want and people get scared of that. They want to push you in the direction they want you to go in and that's not right for me. I like to think I know what my fans like and what I feel comfortable doing."

## Track listings

* UK CD 1
* "Free Me" – 4:28
* "Who the Hell Are You" – 3:20
* "Free Me" (Full Intention's Freed Up Mix) – 7:08
* "Free Me" (video)
* UK CD 2
* "Free Me" – 4:28
* "Tomorrow" – 3:56
* "Free Me" (Full Intention's Sultra Mix) – 6:18

## Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Free Me.

* 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 'Spike' Stent – mixing
* Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Free Me" :

| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| United Kingdom | 26 May 2003 | CD singlecassette single | Polydor | |
