Born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, Havens moved to Greenwich Village in 1961 in time to get in on the folk boom then taking place. Havens had a distinctive style as a folksinger, appearing in such clubs as the Cafe Wha? His guitar set to an open tuning, he would strum while barring chords with his thumb, using it essentially as percussion while singing rhythmically in a gruff voice for a mesmerizing effect. Havens was signed to Douglas Records in 1965 and recorded two albums that gained him a local following. In 1967, the Verve division of MGM Records formed a folk section (Verve Forecast) and signed Havens and other folk-based performers. The result was Havens's third album, Mixed Bag. It wasn't until 1968 and the Something Else Again album, however, that Havens began to hit the charts -- actually, Havens's fourth, third, and second albums charted that year, in that order. In 1969 came the double album Richard P. Havens 1983. Havens' career benefited enormously from his appearance at the Woodstock festival in 1969 and his subsequent featured role in the movie and album made from the concert in 1970. His first album after that exposure, Alarm Clock, made the Top 30 and produced a Top 20 single in "Here Comes the Sun." These recordings were Havens's commercial high-water mark, but by this time he had become an international touring success. By the end of the '70s, he had abandoned recording and turned entirely to live work.
Havens came back to records with a flurry of releases in 1987: a new album, Simple Things; an album of Bob Dylan and Beatles covers; and a compilation. In 1991, Havens signed his first major-label deal in 15 years when he moved to Sony Music and released Now.
On April 22, 2013, Havens died of a heart attack at home in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was 72.
Discography
* A Richie Havens Record (1965)
* Electric Havens (1966)
* Mixed Bag (February 1967)
* Something Else Again (1968)
* Richard P. Havens, 1983 (1969)
* Stonehenge (1970)
* Alarm Clock (1971)
* The Great Blind Degree (1971)
* Richie Havens On Stage (1972)
* Portfolio (1973)
* Mixed Bag II (January 1975)
* The End of the Beginning (1976)
* Mirage (1977)
* Connections (1980)
* Common Ground (1983)
* Simple Things (1987)
* Sings Beatles and Dylan (1987)
* Live at the Cellar Door (1990)
* Now (1991)
* Cuts to the Chase (1994)
* Time (1999)
* Wishing Well (April 2002)
* Grace of the Sun (2004)
Guest appearances
* Please Don't Touch by Steve Hackett (1978)
* Starlight Express Music and Songs from (1987)
* OVO by Peter Gabriel (2000) (Soundtrack to the Millennium Dome Show)
* "Freedom" on The Best of The Jammy's Volume One w/ The Mutaytor
* "The Long Road" (Duet with Cliff Eberhardt) on Cliff's 1990 album "The Long Road")
Freedom
Richie Havens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
A long way from my home
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
A long, long, long, way, way from my home
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Heyâ?¦yeah
I got a telephone in my bosom
And I can call him up from my heart
I got a telephone in my bosom
And I can call him up from my heart
When I need my brotherâ?¦brother
When I need my motherâ?¦mother
Heyâ?¦yeahâ?¦etc.
The lyrics of Richie Havens's song Freedom express the emotions of someone who feels lost, lonely and disconnected from their homeland, their family, and their roots. The repetition of the word "freedom" is the central theme of the song; it's a powerful rallying cry that emphasizes the importance of individual freedom amidst the social, political and cultural issues of the time.
The opening verse "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child," alludes to the trauma of slavery, which separated enslaved people from their families and stripped them of their identity, humanity, and dignity. The feelings of loneliness and isolation expressed in the verses are further amplified by the use of repetition and the intense vocal delivery by Havens. The chorus "Freedom" is a simple yet profound statement about the basic human right to be free from oppression and captivity.
The song builds upon itself towards the end of the second verse, with Havens repeating "A long, long, long, way, way from my home," signifying a sense of deep longing that has become amplified by distance and time. The last section of the song features the repetition of "Clap your hands" interspersed with "Hey yeah" as a call-and-response to the audience. The final verse "I got a telephone in my bosom, and I can call him up from my heart" suggests a personal connection with a higher power that provides comfort, solace, and the strength to persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
Freedom
The song is an anthem for freedom
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
The singer feels lonely and desires to belong
A long way from my home
The singer feels like an outsider in society
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
The singer feels like giving up on life's struggles
A long, long, long, way, way from my home
The singer is experiencing deep emotional and physical displacement
Clap your hands
A call for celebration and joyous expression
Hey yeah
An expression of affirmation, agreement, or encouragement
I got a telephone in my bosom
The singer has a spiritual connection to a loved one
And I can call him up from my heart
The singer can communicate with the loved one without words
When I need my brother, brother
The singer can depend on their sibling for support and comfort
When I need my mother, mother
The singer can depend on their mother for support and comfort
Lyrics © SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Written by: RICHIE HAVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bernhardlohr4662
Wow!!
With my 61 years-I have tears in my eyes !!!
Soo Goood!!
(He was the first musican who played at woodstock- the others came all by helicopter !!)
I collect LP`s since beginning 70`s and the two
Atlantic "Woodstock-" record Sets (2LP/ 3 LP)
I bought as a young kid around 12-14 years....and
this music is still with me !!
Timeless !
Wunderbar !
B.L.,Germany
@dnlsiri
If you are watching this in 2023 there is hope.
@boots-mr4dp
2024
@GnomaPhobic
We need the spirit of the 60s now more than ever. Peace, Love, and Equality for everyone!
@Samanta2137
2024
@davemackay
2024
@knblutz
Feb 2024. While I wait!
@elredlenny5731
I remember when I drove a yellow cab in NYC I pick up Mr.Heavens at 43 or 45 street and 7th Ave. he was coming from 123 restaurant and bar and I drove him to his residents, he was about to pay the fare and I said to him your music brings me much happiness, the fare is all ready paid, and I didn't take the fare and his music still brings me happiness. Enternal peace Richie.
@onie4024
Great story, man...I'd love hear more stories about what it was like driving a cab in NYC back then. Bet you saw your share of musicians and crazy shit
@williamcooke21
He left us in 2013.
@chevelle68man2007
What an awesome story! I also would love to hear more stories.