Where am I?: "Philadelphia Freedom" Elton John (1975)

Tweet

What, you thought Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” would represent the City of Brotherly Love? The Boss, never. “‘Cos I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom From the day I was born I’ve waved the flag” The platinum single was another big #1 hit for EJ at his peak. I did not know the interesting back story here. “Philadelphia Freedom” is the only song specifically written as a single by EJ and Bernie Taupin and made its album debut on “Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume II.” EJ is good friends with tennis legend Billie Jean King who was playing for the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team and she wanted a promotional song to honor the team. EJ turned to Taupin. The song is assumed to be patriotic because that is how it sounds and released just prior to 1976 bicentennial. Taupin explained lyrics are not about tennis or patriotism but a tribute to Philadelphia music and social freedoms. Does this tune receive the fourwalls seal of approval?