Looking for Freedom
David Hasselhoff Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

One morning in June, some twenty years ago
I was born a rich man's son
I had everything that money could buy
But freedom, I had none

I've been looking for freedom
I've been looking so long
I've been looking for freedom
Still the search goes on
I've been looking for freedom
Since I left my home town
I've been looking for freedom
Still it can't be found

I headed down the track, my baggage on my back
I left the city far behind (ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh)
Walking down that road with my heavy load
Trying to find some peace of mind

Father said, "You'll be sorry, son
If you leave your home this way
And when you realize the freedom money buys
You'll come running home someday"

I've been looking for freedom
I've been looking so long
I've been looking for freedom
Still the search goes on
I've been looking for freedom
Since I left my home town
I've been looking for freedom
Still it can't be found

I paid a lot of dues, had plenty to lose
Travelling across the land
Worked on a farm, got some muscle in my arm
But still I'm not a self-made man
I'll be on the run for many years to come
I'll be searching door to door
And given some time, someday, I'm gonna find
The freedom (freedom, freedom, freedom)
I've been searching for

I've been looking for freedom (looking for freedom)
I've been looking so long (looking so long)
I've been looking for freedom (looking for freedom)
Still the search goes on (search goes on)
I've been looking for freedom (looking for freedom)
Since I left my home town (left my home town)
I've been looking for freedom (looking for freedom)
Still it can't be found (still it can't be found)
I've been looking for freedom (looking for freedom)
I've been looking so long (looking so long)
I've been looking for freedom (looking for freedom)
Still the search goes on (search goes on)
I've been looking for freedom (looking for freedom)
Since I left my home town (left my home town)




I've been looking for freedom (looking for freedom)
Still it can't be found (can't be found)

Overall Meaning

The song "Looking for Freedom" by David Hasselhoff is an expression of personal longing for something that can be hard to define: Freedom. Hasselhoff explains that he was ironically born into a life of privilege as the son of a wealthy man, but despite all of the material possessions and luxuries he had, he realizes that true freedom was missing from his life. It is possible that he was feeling trapped by his status, and that he could not escape the expectations of his family and society.


The chorus, "I've been looking for freedom, I've been looking so long, I've been looking for freedom, still the search goes on," is a motif that repeats throughout the song, indicating how pervasive the artist's desire for freedom is. Hasselhoff flees his affluent background, lugging his baggage, and begins to wander aimlessly. Along the way, his father warns him that he'll one day regret leaving everything behind without a plan. Ultimately, he muses that he paid his dues, travelled across the land, and worked on a farm. However, he still hadn't discovered the thing he's been seeking all his life.


The lyricist seems to suggest that freedom is something that emerges from within us, not something that can be gained through material means. It is something that only we can define for ourselves. The song's unusual meaning was brought to light by the fact that it was written and performed during the Cold War; many people in that era were looking for a path to liberty and independence. The song's messages and themes seemingly struck a chord with audiences all around the world, as it became not just an emblem of freedom during the Cold War but also a symbol of hope for those who dream big around the world.


Line by Line Meaning

One morning in June, some twenty years ago
The singer reflects on a specific date and time from his past, roughly two decades ago.


I was born a rich man's son
The singer was privileged to be born into a wealthy family.


I had everything that money could buy
The singer had access to all the material possessions that money could provide.


But freedom, I had none
Despite having wealth and possessions, the artist felt constrained and lacked personal freedom.


I've been looking for freedom
The artist has been actively seeking personal freedom.


I've been looking so long
The singer has been on this search for an indefinite and extended period of time.


Since I left my home town
The singer has been searching for freedom since he left the place where he grew up.


Still it can't be found
The artist has yet to find the freedom he seeks, despite his long search.


Father said, 'You'll be sorry, son
The artist's father warned him of the potential consequences of leaving his home.


If you leave your home this way
The father specifically cautioned the artist about the way in which he was leaving home.


And when you realize the freedom money buys
The father believed that the singer might come to understand the limitations of monetary wealth in regards to personal freedom.


You'll come running home someday'
The father hoped that eventually, the artist would return home in recognition of the limitations of his search for freedom.


I paid a lot of dues, had plenty to lose
The singer has made sacrifices and experienced setbacks in his search for freedom.


Travelling across the land
The singer has been exploring various parts of the country.


Worked on a farm, got some muscle in my arm
The singer has worked physically demanding jobs as he searched for freedom.


But still I'm not a self-made man
Despite his hard work and efforts, the artist feels he hasn't achieved full independence or success.


I'll be on the run for many years to come
The artist believes he will continue his search for freedom for a long time into the future.


I'll be searching door to door
The singer is dedicated to an exhaustive pursuit of freedom.


And given some time, someday, I'm gonna find the freedom (freedom, freedom, freedom) I've been searching for
Despite the challenges and long duration of his search, the singer remains confident that he will eventually find the personal freedom he seeks.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gary Cowtan, Jack White

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@theultimatememelord5494

This man not only saved Spongebob and Patrick, but single-handedly reunited Germany as well. What a guy.

@BMcCabe

Nobel peace prize material.

@johndc2998

You forgot about Springsteen and Bowie.

@theultimatememelord5494

@@johndc2998 Yes.

@g4m3life86

yup, when he was swimming to the point

@kfiru48rhd8rjdhd

Wheres the video when he says "only one man can unite east and west germany" or is that a comment I read...

14 More Replies...

@danielamathews6763

I am from East Germany and back then this was our song. 28 years later I still listen to it. HAPPY REUNIFICATION DAY Germany!!!

@stephenmurphy2212

Hasselhoff should sing this song when Ireland reunifies. 🇮🇪😉

@christ7116

Hallo du Kanst also deutsch

@danielamathews6763

Ja ich spreche deutsch

More Comments

More Versions