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Rating: Many know the Free only for their worldwide hit “All Right Now”, and it's a real shame. In the seven albums they produced, there are a lot of sensational songs that have inspired generations both then and now.
Heartbreaker is the last album, dated 1973. The lineup is not classic, but still valid: besides Paul Rodgers as vocalist and Simon Kirke on drums, we find the Japanese Tetsu Yamauchi on bass, who replaced the charismatic Andy Fraser. For the first time, Free also acquired a keyboardist, the Texan John “Rabbit” Bundrick. The guitar is alternated between Snuffy Walden and the usual Paul Kossoff, who was going through a rough patch due to his continuous drug use. The situation within the band was not the best, which was reflected in the record, which is in some respects very melancholic.
The record opens with “Wishing Well”, which had a fair amount of success, and whose words made it seem like a warning from Rodgers to his friend Kossoff.
Throw down your gun
you might shoot yourself,
or is that what you are tryin' to do,
put up a fight
you believe to be right
and someday the sun will shine through
But Rodgers always denied it. The track is truly beautiful and powerful, played with energy by all the musicians. “Come Together In The Morning” is the second track, and one of the best of their entire career; it is a very sad but very intense song, especially Paul Kossoff's guitar solo. His style is unmistakable: few notes stretched throughout the solo, almost making it seem like a lament. It is followed by “Travellin’ In Style”, which might seem like the weak point of the record, but actually serves to break up the songs, as it is the only one with a completely cheerful melody. “Heartbreaker”, on the other hand, is another powerful track, characterized by gloomy music and seemingly sad lyrics, talking about a man aware of his failure in life but wanting to start over again. The influence of Bundrick's style is noticeable in “Muddy Water”, a truly remarkable song, especially for the fantastic bass lines, and “Common Mortal Man”, which seems like another dedication to Kossoff, as it talks about the visions of drug addicts. After a mediocre “Easy On My Soul”, the album closes with “Seven Angels”, the very last song of Free. The atmosphere here is magical and surreal, making the imagination soar to who knows where.
As soon as the tour was over (which did not include Kossoff), Free disbanded. Tetsu Yamauchi joined the Faces, Paul Kossoff and John Bundrick formed Back Street Crawler. Simon Kirke and Paul Rodgers went on to form Bad Company. Rodgers was also offered to join Deep Purple by Ritchie Blackmore. Rodgers refused, and Ian Gillan was replaced by the talented David Coverdale, who left no regrets. But that's another story....
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Wishing Well (03:43)
Take off your hat; kick off your shoes.
I know you ain't goin� anywhere.
Run 'round the town, singin� your blues.
I know you ain't goin� anywhere.
You've always been a good friend of mine,
But you're always sayin� farewell.
And the only time that you're satisfied
Is with your feet in the wishing well.
Oh� Yeah� Wish!
Throw down your gun � you might shoot yourself �
Or is that what you're tryin� to do?
Put up a fight you believe to be right
And someday the sun will shine through.
You've always got something to hide;
Something you just can't tell.
And the only time that you're satisfied
Is with your feet in the wishin� well.
Oh� Yeah�
But I know what you're wishin� for:
Love in a peaceful world. Yeah�
Love in a peaceful world. Oh, yeah�
Love in a peaceful world.
Mmmmmmmm�
Na na na na na na na-na�
Na na na na na na na�
You've always been a good friend of mine,
But you're always sayin� farewell.
And the only time that you're satisfied
Is with your feet in the wishing� well!
Oh! Yes! But, uh� Ow!
I wish you well�
Oo-oo-ooh! The wishing well! Ow!
Everybody has a wish�
Everybody has a dream. Yeah, yeah!
I wish you well� Ow!
Well, you dream� your own time�
02 Come Together in the Morning (04:43)
It makes me sad to think of you
Because I understand the things you do
There is no one else can take your place
In my life alone I hide my face
Come together in the morning
I can understand your mind
Come together in the morning
See the world the same as me
There was a time, it's in the past
I thought our love was born to last
But now you say you are torn in two
That's what my love has done for you
Come together in the morning
I can understand your mind
Come together in the morning
See the world the same as me
Come together in the morning
I can understand your mind
Come together in the morning
See the world the same as me
It makes me sad to think of you
Because I understand the things you do
There is no one else can take your place
In my life alone I hide my face
03 Travellin' in Style (04:02)
Well the train I ride
Is leaving the station
And the train I ride
To my destination
I was walking
Now I'm travelin' in style
I was walking
Now I've got me a ride
Well I got no need
For no company
Got my blues guitar
That's all I need
I ain't walking
Now I'm travelin' in style
I aint walking
Now I've got me a ride
Think I've come to
The end of my song
If you feel you want to
Why don't you sing along
I ain't walking
Now I'm travelin' in style
I aint walking
Now I've got me a ride
I ain't walking
Now I'm travelin' in style
I aint walking
Now I've got me a ride
I ain't walking
Now I'm travelin' in style
I aint walking
Now I've got me a ride
04 Heartbreaker (06:15)
Well my maker
Must 've been a hard heartbreaker
I said my maker
Must 've been a hard heartbreaker
I'll tell you why
I'm breaking my own heart
Tryin'....to love a faker
Like a blind man
My little house is on fire
Just like a blind man
My little house is on fire
I'm burning my own eyes out
Tryin'....to reach the door
Well the sun is shining
But it sure don't seem to reach my heart
Well the sun is shining
But it sure don't seem to reach my heart
I'm wasting my whole life
Tryin'.....to make a new start
Make a new start
Make a new start
Make a new start
Make a new start
07 Easy on My Soul (03:47)
Oh...yes..
Some say love is
Some say what is love
Some say is love
Really all around
Some say life is
Some say what is life
Some say is life
Really all around me
But I say easy
Easy on my soul
But I say easy
Easy on my soul
Some say love is
Some say what is love
Some say is love
Really all around
I want to tell you my story
I want to tell you I'm sorry
Easy on my soul...
Easy on my soul
Easy on my soul
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