The Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #7

Rick Florian.
Billy Smiley.
Mark Gersmehl.
Gordon Kenney.
Tommy Sims.
Chris McHugh.

WhiteHeart with producer Brown Bannister

Never before in the history of CCM had such a powerfully talented group of musicians combined in one place for the creation of an album of such brilliant musical execution that it dwarved all other rock albums previously released up to that point.

Freedom was a watershed moment for WhiteHeart in two ways. First, the album showed what these six men were capable of with the right songs and the right producer (especially when taking into consideration that their previous effort, Emergency Broadcast, sounded like a pop album disguised as a rock record in an era when no record producers could seem to make up their minds what the public wanted to hear). Secondly, there would never be another album like Freedom, as half the band's personnel left after the recording and subsequent tour of the album. That this album exists is almost a miracle in and of itself.

"Sing Your Freedom" was the rallying cry at the heart of the record, the central statement not only of the album's content, but of our mandate as believers, one to proudly and loudly proclaim the glory of our God and what He has done for us.

Gordon Kennedy's guitar in this song gives it much of its personality, laying down a screen at the beginning, charging into the chorus with staccato stabs pushing the rhythm section forward, then settling in for a searing lead riff heading into the second verse.

The entire arrangement provides a feeling of darkness in the verses, allowing the listener to feel the captivity until the chorus punches through with a triumphant song/chant, encouraging the listener to join in, and therefore, be released.

Let the chorus build louder and louder
And shatter the blackness and pain
Let it rise like a healing flame
Sing your freedom
Freedom
Freedom 
Let the song of your faith come alive

Rick Florian's vocals lead the charge with an inspired, aggressive performance, and at nearly 3:30, the song is over. But what puts this song over the top is the extended coda after the final chorus, where we get to hear this sublime group of musicians just cut loose and rip it up. Tommy Sims' bass work is impeccable, Chris McHugh's drumming displays a thunderously prodigious precision, the guitar work of both Billy Smiley and Gordon Kennedy drives the mood, and Mark Gersmehl's synth textures help to strengthen the mood and tension of the song.

In a decade full of music that had the stamp of the '80s imprinted on it, the Freedom album, and this song especially, stand out as examples of the timelessness of rock music that can be achieved, and as it seems, an example of lightning in a bottle.

Previous entries in this series:
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #21
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #20
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #19
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #18
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #17
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #16
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #15
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #14
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - Honorable Mention
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #13
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #12
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #11
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #10
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #9
Top CCM Songs of the 1980s - #8

There Is No Box.
Zach