Privilege (Set Me Free)

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Privilege (Set Me Free)

Privilege (Set Me Free) is a rock song by the Patti Smith Group. It was released in 1978 as the second single from their album Easter. The track runs 3 minutes and 27 seconds. It was recorded at Record Plant Studios, released by Arista Records, and produced by Jimmy Iovine. The B-side is a live version of 25th Floor.

Background: The song’s original version, called Free Me, was written by Mel London and Mike Leander for the 1967 film Privilege. Patti Smith and her band reworked it for Easter, adding spoken lines from Psalm 23 over the bridge. Early in the recording, Wayne Kramer of MC5 played guitar, but he left the project after disagreements.

Reception: In the UK, Privilege (Set Me Free) reached number 72 on the singles chart. In Ireland, it peaked at number 13.

Liner notes: The notes describe the track as the title song associated with the film Privilege, blending rock imagery with sacral, religious motifs.

Credits: Songwriters were Mel London, Mike Leander, and Psalm 23. The song was produced by Jimmy Iovine.

Discography context: It sits in Patti Smith’s singles chronology after Because the Night (1978) and before Frederick (1979).