<p id=”par-1_58″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/the-monkees/”>The Monkees</a>‘ song <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/jimmy-webb-said-monkees-song-1-best-songs-ever.html/”>“I Wanna Be Free,”</a> released in 1966, is a standout song in the band’s catalog. It wasn’t as big of a hit as some of their other songs. “I Wanna Be Free” is a track that deserved more recognition. With its relatable lyrics, emotional delivery, and timeless appeal, it should have been a chart-topping success.</p>
<h3 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-a-different-kind-of-song-for-the-monkees”>A different kind of song for The Monkees</h3>
<p id=”par-2_63″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-monkees-songwriters-felt-songs-couldnt-sound-the-beatles.html/”>Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart</a> were the team behind many Monkees hits. They became mostly known for writing upbeat pop songs such as “Valleri,” “(Theme From) <em>The Monkees</em>,” and <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-monkees-engineer-created-train-sounds-last-train-to-clarksville.html/”>“Last Tran to Clarksville.”</a> They also gave us the gorgeous ballad “I Wanna Be Free.” The tune is a bit similar to The Beatles’ “Yesterday,” but it’s about free love instead of Paul McCartney’s regrets.</p>
<p id=”par-3_123″>In his 2015 book <a href=”https://www.scribd.com/read/264939753/Psychedelic-Bubble-Gum-Boyce-Hart-The-Monkees-and-Turning-Mayhem-into-Miracles#__search-menu_548705″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”><em>Psychedelic Bubble Gum: Boyce & Hart, The Monkees, and Turning Mayhem Into Miracles</em></a>, Hart discussed the writing of “I Wanna Be Free.” “Tommy looked up at me and sang me his first lines with an original melody, ‘I wanna be free, don’t say you love me say you like me,’” Hart recalled. “He said ‘I don’t know where to go next.’ ‘It’s cool,’ I said, ‘but it sounds more like a second verse to me. Maybe we should try to paint some pictures first like: ‘I wanna be free like the bluebird flying by me, like the waves out on the blue sea.” Together we hammered out, ‘If your love has to tie me, don’t try me, say goodbye.’ </p>
<p id=”par-4_47″>“Looking back, ‘I want to be your friend, but don’t tie me down’ was the somewhat unromantic philosophy expressed in many of the Boyce & Hart songs and also in the personal choices we made during our bachelor days and nights in the middle ’60s,” he added.</p>
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<h3 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-the-song-had-relatable-lyrics-and-universal-themes”>The song had relatable lyrics and universal themes</h3>
<p id=”par-5_70″>“I Wanna Be Free” served as a departure from the more upbeat pop songs The Monkees were known for. It offered a softer, introspective tone. The song’s acoustic guitar-based melody and simple arrangement allowed the emotional lyrics to shine. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/davy-jones-said-the-monkees-copied-corny-scene-the-beatles-a-hard-days-night.html/”>The band’s lead vocalist, Davy Jones,</a> brought a sense of vulnerability to the track, capturing the universal desire for independence. This made the song feel more personal and relatable to listeners.</p>
<p id=”par-6_74″>The lyrics of “I Wanna Be Free” express a longing for freedom. That makes it resonates with a wide range of people. The lines, “I wanna be free, like the bluebirds flying by me,” evoke a sense of liberation. That theme was particularly appealing to the youth of the 1960s, who were exploring themes of individuality and rebellion. This universal message of wanting freedom in relationships and life continues to speak to audiences today.</p>
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<h3 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-why-the-monkees-i-wanna-be-free-needed-to-be-a-bigger-hit”>Why The Monkees’ ‘I Wanna Be Free’ needed to be a bigger hit</h3>
<p id=”par-7_66″>Despite its strong appeal, “I Wanna Be Free” didn’t achieve the commercial success it deserved. The Monkees were primarily known for their energetic, fun songs, and the more reflective tone of this track may have confused some fans. Other popular bands, like The Beatles, are more known for their ballads. However, “I Wanna Be Free” remains an iconic song that showcases The Monkees’ range as musicians.</p>