Haddaway's biggest hit, "What Is Love," became very popular across Europe (reaching #2 in the UK), North America and Australia after its 1993 release. Follow-up single "Life" was a big U.S. and European dance hit. His debut album spawned two more European hit singles: "I Miss You" and "Rock My Heart." His 1995 album included two minor hits, but his later releases went by largely unnoticed.
"What Is Love" has been re-mixed and re-released dozens of times. The track had a resurrection in popularity following a prominent role in a Saturday Night Live skit, which later became the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury.
Haddaway appeared on the Comeback reality television show in Germany in 2003. He appeared on a similar UK show, Hit Me Baby One More Time, in 2005 and subsequently appeared on the U.S. version of the show.
In July 2005, he released a new single called "Spaceman" and album called Pop Splits in Germany where he has a very strong following of fans.
Freedom Is
Haddaway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you make of it
Freedom is
What you take from it
Met a man
Met a man
Walking the road of life
Freedom was the way we lived life
Freedom was the way we lived it
Freedom is the love we made
Freedom is the way we give life
Freedom is like kids playing
Freedom took my breath away, breath away
Breath away
Soldiers walking
Marking time
Mama cries
Dady dies
If you wanna know
If you wanna know
If you wanna know what we can do
Try to live your life
That's nothing new
If you wanna know what we can say
Then just pry everyday
Lord I'm asking
Freedom, freedom, freedom, free
It's just that slightest
That slightest touch of life
When you want to reach out
And you want to be free
Freedom was the way
Haddaway's song Freedom is a powerful tribute to the human spirit and the strength found in the concept of freedom. The lyrics speak to the many different interpretations of freedom and how it can be both given and taken away. The song begins by stating that freedom is what you make of it, suggesting that it is a personal choice and responsibility. It goes on to say that freedom is what you take from it, implying that it is something that can be gained through hard work and perseverance.
The song then introduces a character, a man walking the road of life, who embodies the idea of freedom in his way of living. Freedom was the way this man lived life, the way he came, and the love he made. The lyrics connect freedom to childhood by saying it is like kids playing, suggesting that it is something inherently joyful and innocent.
The song takes a darker turn as it introduces the idea of soldiers marching and the pain of losing loved ones. The lyrics imply that freedom is not always easily obtained or maintained, and that it can come at a great cost. However, the song ends on a note of hope, saying that if you want to know what can be done, you must simply try to live your life and keep trying every day. The lyrics repeat the word "freedom" over and over, as if to emphasize its importance and power.
Line by Line Meaning
Freedom is
What you make of it
The meaning of freedom is different for everyone and it depends on how they interpret and utilize it.
Freedom is
What you take from it
Freedom is not something that is given, it's something that needs to be taken and fought for.
Met a man
Met a man
Walking the road of life
Freedom was the way we lived life
Freedom was the way we came
Freedom was the way we lived it
Freedom is the love we made
The singer met someone who was embracing their freedom in life, living it to the fullest and love was a big part of it.
Freedom is the way we give life
Freedom is like kids playing
Freedom is something that keeps us alive and joyful, just like playing children.
Freedom took my breath away, breath away
Breath away
The overwhelming feeling of freedom and its possibilities can take one's breath away.
Soldiers walking
Marking time
Mama cries
Dady dies
The song acknowledges the sacrifice soldiers make for our freedom, and the pain and loss that comes with it for their families.
If you wanna know
If you wanna know
If you wanna know what we can do
Try to live your life
That's nothing new
If you wanna know what we can say
Then just pry everyday
If you want to know what you're capable of and what you want to say or do, just try to live your life and explore yourself everyday.
Lord I'm asking
Freedom, freedom, freedom, free
The singer is asking for freedom from something holding them back, seeking its power and potential.
It's just that slightest
That slightest touch of life
When you want to reach out
And you want to be free
The smallest thing, like a touch, can remind us of life's potential and make us want to be free and make something great of it.
Freedom was the way
The song repeats that freedom is central to our lives, worth fighting for and preserving.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NESTOR HADDAWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind