Freedom (Johnny's Song)

Album: Face The River (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Johnny in "Freedom (Johnny's Song)" is Gavin DeGraw's dad, John Wayne DeGraw, who died in 2020. The song is a look at his life, which led him into the Army.

    On X, DeGraw posted that the song "is the story of my hard-working mother and father. I always thought our blue-collar heroes were not celebrated enough. I needed to tell their story."
  • The song is part of Gavin DeGraw's album Face The River, which is a chronicle of his parents' lives. His dad was still alive when he started it, but his mom Lynne, a detox specialist, died in 2017.
  • When DeGraw spoke with Songfacts in 2024, he said "Freedom (Johnny's Song)" is the song that defines him the most, "because that's what I'm from, that's the kind of people and culture I appreciate."

    "That's the other part," he added. "We don't just listen to songs as audience members, we're looking for somewhere to identify ourselves, and 'Freedom' identifies who I am."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.