{{for|2009 song by Carly Simon|Never Been Gone}} {{Infobox song | name = No Freedom | cover = NoFreedomDido.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Dido | album = Girl Who Got Away | released = 18 January 2013 | recorded = 2009–12 | studio = * RAK Studios (London)<ref name="notes"/> * The Green Building (Santa Monica)<ref name="notes"/> * Ark Studios<ref name="notes"/> | venue = | genre = Pop, folktronica | length = 3:18 | label = {{hlist|Sony Music Entertainment|RCA Records}} | writer = {{hlist|Dido Armstrong|Rick Nowels}} | producer = {{hlist|Dido|Rollo|Rick Nowels}} | prev_title = Everything to Lose | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = End of Night | next_year = 2013 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|VsevYF7LZ6I|"No Freedom"}}}} }}
"'''No Freedom'''" is a song by English recording artist Dido. The song was released on 18 January 2013 as the lead single from her fourth studio album ''Girl Who Got Away'' (2013). The song was written and produced by Dido Armstrong and Rick Nowels, while Rollo Armstrong co-produced it. "No Freedom" is an acoustic ballad, with folk pop influences.
Lyrically, the song reflects on the necessity of allowing people to have freedom within the confines of a relationship. "No Freedom" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the smooth, simple, but gorgeous sound. The song has peaked to number 51 on the UK Singles Chart, the song has also charted in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland.
==Background== "No Freedom" was written and produced by Dido and Rick Nowels, who has previously worked with her on the hit 'White Flag', while Rollo Armstrong co-produced it.<ref name=dsfirstlisten>{{cite news|last=Corner|first=Lewis|title=Dido premieres new single 'No Freedom' - listen|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a450416/dido-premieres-new-single-no-freedom-listen.html|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=Digital Spy|date=11 January 2013}}</ref> The song was written when Dido was pregnant at the time with her first son, Stanley, and recorded her vocals right up until the day he was born.<ref name=bbcnews>{{cite news|last=Savage|first=Mark|title=BBC News - Dido interview: 'I am the sound of conflict'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21546030|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=BBC News|date=26 February 2013}}</ref> She recorded the song in Los Angeles, United States at Rick Nowels studio and finished the song at home with her brother Rollo Armstrong.<ref name=dido.com>{{cite news|title=Album Listening Party | The Official Dido Site|url=http://www.didomusic.com/news/album-listening-party|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=Dido.com}}</ref>
Prior to the release of the single, snippets from the DJ COBRA Remix were leaked into the Internet. The melody is substantially different from the original. Later on, Dido explained on her official Twitter account that DJ Cobra - Peter Agyagos - was mistakenly sent an old demo to remix instead the final cut of the song.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=didoofficial|author=Dido|number=378175440654843904|date=12 September 2013|title=someone sent someone else the wrong parts to the wrong version of an old demo. i love it when mistakes make magic...}}</ref>
Lyrically, "No Freedom" talks about a painful story of heartbreak.<ref name=bbcnews/> According to Dido, it is more about love in general, in all its forms.<ref name=dido.com/> The refrain, "No freedom without love", has been adopted by rebel groups in Syria. Dido told BBC News that after its release, she was getting many "letters from people who are in the middle of a war."<ref name=bbcnews/> The song is a folky, acoustic guitar-based, reggae tinged,<ref name=hitfix>{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Melinda|title=Dido's 'Girl Who Got Away': Album Review|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/didos-girl-who-got-away-album-review|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=HitFix|date=25 March 2013|archive-date=8 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508223328/http://www.hitfix.com/news/didos-girl-who-got-away-album-review|url-status=dead}}</ref> midtempo song, featuring Dido's sleepy vocals.<ref name=digitalspy>{{cite news|last=Copsey|first=Robert|title=Dido: 'Girl Who Got Away' - Album review|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a462723/dido-girl-who-got-away-album-review.html|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=Digital Spy|date=4 March 2013}}</ref>
== Critical reception == Critical reception was largely positive. Bernard Perusse of ''Montreal Gazette'' called it "simple, but gorgeous."<ref name="montrealgazette">{{cite news|last=Perusse|first=Bernard|title=New music review: Girl Who Got Away, Dido (Sony)|url=http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2013/03/23/new-music-review-girl-who-got-away-dido-sony/|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|date=23 March 2013|archive-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521183341/http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2013/03/23/new-music-review-girl-who-got-away-dido-sony/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Elliot Robinson of ''So So Gay'' wrote that the song represents the album as a whole, calling it "pleasingly catchy and enjoyably smooth."<ref name="sosogay">{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Elliot|title=Album Review: Dido – Girl Who Got Away|url=http://sosogay.co.uk/2013/album-review-dido-girl-who-got-away/|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=So So Gay|date=4 March 2013}}</ref> Caroline Sullivan of ''The Guardian'' was more negative, writing that "Guitars strum gently, the tempo is mid, and Dido has never sounded more listless as she wanly informs her man that their relationship can't flourish unless she's free to wander."<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/feb/28/dido-girl-who-got-review|title=Dido: Girl Who Got Away - review | Music | The Guardian|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|date=28 February 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref>
Chuck Campbell of ''Knoxville.com'' praised "Dido’s knack for gorgeous melody," writing that the song is a "simple, acoustic-driven opening track, that rolls out under her deliberate restraint as she sings."<ref>{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Chuck|title='Tuned In' review: Dido's calm, familiar voice stirs emotions|url=http://www.knoxville.com/news/2013/mar/19/knoxville-music-dido-girl-who-got-away-review/|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=Knoxville|date=19 March 2013}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Nick Levine of ''BBC Music'' called it "an odd soporific song."<ref name=bbcreview>{{cite news|title=BBC - Music - Review of Dido - Girl Who Got Away|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/bc5c/|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=BBC Music|date=22 February 2013}}</ref> Tim Ferrar of ''Recording Connection'' called it "one of the most subdued tracks on the record."<ref>{{cite news|last=Ferrar|first=Tim|title=Dido "Girl Who Got Away" – Album Review|url=http://mimo.recordingconnection.com/dido-girl-who-got-away-album-review/963576/|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=Recording Connection|date=28 March 2013|archive-date=8 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508222921/http://mimo.recordingconnection.com/dido-girl-who-got-away-album-review/963576/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Chart performance== On 3 March 2013 the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 69 and climbed 18 places to number 51 the following week.<ref name=acharts>{{cite web|title=Dido - No Freedom - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.us/song/76206|work=Music Charts|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> On 10 March 2013 the song entered the Swiss Singles Chart at number 47, climbing to number 28 in its second week.<ref name=acharts/> On 16 March 2013 the song entered the French Singles Chart at number 64.<ref name=france/> The song entered the German Singles Chart at number 64, climbing to number 59 the following week. On 9 March 2013 the song entered the Dutch Singles Chart at number 98, dropping to number 100 the following week.<ref name=acharts/> The song has also charted in Belgium.<ref name=france/>
==Music video== <!-- Deleted image removed: thumb|right|232px|A still from the music video "No Freedom". -->
===Background=== A music video to accompany the release of "No Freedom" was first released onto YouTube on 4 March 2013 at a total length of three minutes and fifteen seconds.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsevYF7LZ6I Dido - No Freedom]. YouTube</ref> The music video was directed by Ethan Lader and filmed in downtown Los Angeles on 9 December 2012. She is wearing a turquoise leather coat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bruno.nl/nieuws/15033/pics-zangeres-dido-maakt-zich-op-voor-comeback.html |title=Zangeres Dido maakt zich op voor comeback |publisher=bruno.nl |date=10 December 2012 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509001755/http://www.bruno.nl/nieuws/15033/pics-zangeres-dido-maakt-zich-op-voor-comeback.html |archive-date=9 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/_G-TM-ugF4A/Dido+English+singer+songwriter+films+parade/oSfgb43NHuN |title=Dido, English singer-songwriter, films a parade scene for an upcoming music video in Downtown Los Angeles |publisher=zimbio.com|date=10 December 2012}}</ref>
===Synopsis=== The video shows Dido standing on an empty city street surrounded by confetti.<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a463139/dido-unveils-no-freedom-music-video.html Dido unveils 'No Freedom' music video]. Digital Spy</ref> The video also features montage of old-fashioned footage from the United States and Dido sitting in the back of a vintage Chevrolet Bel Air convertible.
==Live performances and cover versions== In February 2013 she performed the song live on American late-night talk show ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'',<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QMBhUkVue4 Dido Performs "No Freedom"]. YouTube. JimmyKimmelLive</ref> where she also performed "White Flag".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e80oHtR9FeY Dido Performs "White Flag"]. YouTube</ref> On 1 March 2013 she performed the song live on Norwegian-Swedish television talk show Skavlan.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asDixt8AwhI Dido- No Freedom Live @Skavlan 2013]. YouTube</ref> On 7 March 2013 she performed the song live on British daytime television programme ''This Morning''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF2FRPM5jRQ Dido - No Freedom (Live This Morning)]. YouTube</ref>
On 3 October 2017 Miley Cyrus and Adam Sandler performed the song live on ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' as a tribute for the 2017 Las Vegas shooting victims.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7982091/miley-cyrus-adam-sandler-no-freedom-vegas-victim-tonight-show|title=Miley Cyrus and Adam Sandler Perform 'No Freedom' on 'Tonight Show' to Honor Vegas Victims: Watch|magazine=Billboard|date=3 October 2017|first=Lars|last=Brandle|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = Digital download<ref name=iTunes>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/no-freedom-ep/595682643|title=No Freedom - EP by Dido|date=22 February 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> | title1 = No Freedom | length1 = 3:18 | title2 = No Freedom | note2 = Benny Benassi Remix | length2 = 6:01 | title3 = No Freedom | note3 = Tom Swoon Remix | length3 = 5:48 | title4 = Quiet Times | note4 = Live Acoustic, Abbey Road | length4 = 3:09 }}
==Credits and personnel== * Written by Dido Armstrong and Rick Nowels * Produced by Rollo, Dido and Rick Nowels * Mixed by Ash Howes, Rollo and Dido * Engineering and recording by Kieron Menzies * Digital engineering by Mike Horner * Vocals recorded by Richard Woodcraft * Recorded at RAK recording Studios, London, The Green Building, Santa Monica, Ark Studios * Vocals by Dido * Guitar and keyboards by Rick Nowels * Programming by Rollo * Additional drum programming by UTRB * All strings arranged and performed by Davide Rossi * Mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound
Credits adapted from ''Girl Who Got Away'' album liner notes.<ref name="notes">{{cite AV media notes|title=Girl Who Got Away|title-link=Girl Who Got Away|year=2013|first=Dido|last=Dido Armstrong|page=10|type=CD liner notes |publisher=RCA Records|id=88765442322}}</ref>
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Weekly chart performance for "No Freedom" ! scope="col" | Chart (2013) ! scope="col" | Peak<br>position |- {{single chart|Flanders|43|artist=Dido|song=No Freedom|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Wallonia|18|artist=Dido|song=No Freedom|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|CIS|99|artist=Dido|song=No Freedom|songid=44689|access-date=10 August 2019|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|France|64|artist=Dido|song=No Freedom|refname=france|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Germany|59|artist=Dido|song=No Freedom|songid=1102577|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Dutch100|98|artist=Dido|song=No Freedom|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row" | Russia (''Billboard'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://charts.billboard.ru.msn.com/#!c=29/d=04.03.2013|publisher=Billboard Russia|script-title=ru:Радиоэфиры|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122015852/http://charts.billboard.ru.msn.com/#!c=29/d=04.03.2013|archive-date=22 January 2013|language=ru|url-status=dead|access-date=26 February 2013}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"| 30 |- {{single chart|Scotland|61|date=20130310|access-date=28 March 2023|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row" | South Korea (Gaon International Chart)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon |title=:: 가온차트와 함께하세요 :: |access-date=July 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219094524/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon |archive-date=December 19, 2012 }}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|30 |- {{single chart|Switzerland|28|artist=Dido|song=No Freedom|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|UK|51|date=20130310|access-date=28 March 2023|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Ukraineradio|29|artist=Diane|song=No Freedom|date=20130726-20130801|access-date=June 15, 2025|rowheader=true}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Year-end chart performance for "No Freedom" ! scope="col" | Chart (2013) ! scope="col" | Position |- ! scope="row" | Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/ru/chart/top/radio/hits/ukraine/annual/2013-01-01|title=Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2013|publisher=TopHit|language=ru|access-date=31 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329163735/https://tophit.com/ru/chart/top/radio/hits/ukraine/annual/2013-01-01|archive-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> | 125 |} {{col-end}}
==Release history== {|class=wikitable |- ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label |- | Australia<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/no-freedom-single/592606489|title=No Freedom - Single by Dido|date=18 January 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> | rowspan="5"| 18 January 2013 | rowspan="5"| Digital download | rowspan="4"| {{flatlist| * Sony Music Entertainment }} |- | Belgium<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/be/album/no-freedom-single/592606489|title=No Freedom - Single by Dido|date=18 January 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |- | France<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fr/album/no-freedom-single/592606489|title=No Freedom - Single by Dido|date=18 January 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |- | India<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/no-freedom-single/592606489|title=No Freedom - Single by Dido|date=18 January 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |- | United States<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/no-freedom-single/id592606489|title=iTunes - Music - No Freedom - Single by Dido|website=iTunes|access-date=25 May 2023}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | rowspan="3"| RCA Records |- | rowspan="2"| United States | rowspan="2"| February 20, 2013 | Hot AC radio<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=02/20/2013&Format=10 |title=®R&R :: Going for Adds™ :: Hot AC |access-date=2013-03-20 |archive-date=2014-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508230253/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=02/20/2013&Format=10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |- | Triple A Radio<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=02/20/2013&Format=7 |title=®R&R :: Going for Adds™ :: Triple A |access-date=2013-03-20 |archive-date=2014-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508230257/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=02/20/2013&Format=7 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | Austria<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/at/album/no-freedom-ep/595682643|title=No Freedom - EP by Dido|date=22 February 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> | rowspan="6"| 22 February 2013 | rowspan="7"| Digital download | rowspan="6"| Sony Music Entertainment |- | Denmark<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/dk/album/no-freedom-ep/595682643|title=No Freedom - EP by Dido|date=22 February 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |- | Finland<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/no-freedom-ep/595682643|title=No Freedom - EP by Dido|date=22 February 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |- | Germany<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/de/album/no-freedom-ep/595682643|title=No Freedom - EP by Dido|date=22 February 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |- | Netherlands<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nl/album/no-freedom-ep/595682643|title=No Freedom - EP by Dido|date=22 February 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |- | Switzerland<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ch/album/no-freedom-ep/595682643|title=No Freedom - EP by Dido|date=22 February 2013|access-date=25 May 2023|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |- | United Kingdom<ref name=iTunes/> | 24 February 2013 | RCA Records |- |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Dido}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2013 singles Category:2013 songs Category:Dido (singer) songs Category:Songs written by Dido (singer) Category:Songs written by Rick Nowels Category:Song recordings produced by Dido (singer) Category:Song recordings produced by Rollo Armstrong Category:Song recordings produced by Rick Nowels Category:2010s ballads Category:Songs about heartache Category:Pop ballads