British Glam Rock meets Philly Soul!
\"Philadelphia Freedom\" is a song released by Elton John as a single in 1975. The song was the fourth of Elton John's six number 1 US hits during the early and mid-1970s, which saw his recordings dominating the charts. In Canada it was his eighth single to hit the top of the RPM national singles chart.
The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin as a favour to John's friend, tennis star Billie Jean King. King was part of the Philadelphia Freedoms professional tennis team. The song features an orchestral arrangement by Gene Page, including flutes, horns, and strings.
The song was dedicated in part to \"the Philadelphia sound,\" which included the soul music of the Delfonics and the Spinners and the talents of writer-producers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell; John would work with Bell two years later on an EP that came to be known as The Thom Bell Sessions. \"Philadelphia Freedom\" plays in Philadelphia's Franklin Institute IMAX Theater before every show as a tribute to the city's love for freedom and its impact on the country. The lyrics are also printed on the walls of the Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia.
MFSB, the 'house orchestra' of Gamble & Huff's 'The Sound Of Phialdelphia', also recorded 'Philadelphia Freedom'.
I took both Elton John's and MFSB's versions, changed the tempo, cut it in pieces and glued it together in an extended edit.
For the video I used footage I've found here on youtube (the Elton John video was uploaded by 'Alwaysblistening').
