Beyoncé, a global icon absent from the Democratic National Convention itself, still made her powerful presence felt throughout the event and in the broader political landscape, thanks to one resonant song: “Freedom.” This track, from her critically acclaimed album “Lemonade,” has become inextricably linked with the Harris campaign over the past month, serving as more than just background music – it’s become a defining anthem.
Released in 2016, “Freedom,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, already carried significant political weight even before its adoption by the Harris campaign. Understanding the layers of meaning within “Freedom” is key to grasping its symbolic power and why it resonates so strongly as a soundtrack to the Harris-Walz campaign.
Decoding the Meaning of Beyoncé’s “Freedom”
“Lemonade” upon release was immediately recognized as Beyoncé’s most overtly political work to date, and “Freedom” stands out as a powerful statement within this album. The song delves into themes of personal, spiritual, and crucially, political liberation. Its lyrics are rich with allusions to the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. Let’s examine some of the key lyrical moments:
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“I’m a wall, come and march on the regular / Painting white flags blue”: These opening lines set a tone of defiance and resistance. Beyoncé evokes the imagery of being a steadfast “wall,” ready to be marched upon, suggesting resilience and strength in the face of opposition. The “white flags,” symbols of surrender, being painted “blue” could be interpreted as a transformation of defeat into something new, perhaps hope or resilience, with some fans even linking “blue” to her daughter Blue Ivy.
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“Freedom / Where are you? / ‘Cause I need freedom, too / I break chains all by myself / Won’t let my freedom rot in hell”: These powerful lines, prominently featured in Harris campaign materials, are a direct cry for liberation. The “breaking chains” imagery is deeply resonant, evoking the history of slavery and the ongoing fight against systemic oppression. The refusal to let freedom “rot in hell” underscores the urgency and unwavering determination to achieve true liberty.
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“I’ma wade, I’ma wave through the waters / Tell the tide, ‘Don’t move'”: This lyric is a clear nod to “Wade in the Water,” a deeply significant spiritual sung by enslaved African Americans. These spirituals often contained coded messages of hope and escape, and Beyoncé’s reference connects the historical struggle for freedom with the contemporary fight for justice.
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“Six headlights wavin’ in my direction / Five-o askin’ me what’s in my possession”: Kendrick Lamar’s verse adds another layer of meaning, directly addressing the experience of racial profiling and police scrutiny faced by Black individuals in America. “Five-o,” a slang term for police, highlights the constant surveillance and questioning that can be a part of daily life for many.
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“I had my ups and downs / But I always find the inner strength to pull myself up / I was served lemons, but I made lemonade.”: While Beyoncé and Lamar don’t sing these closing lines, they are a crucial part of the song’s message. The track ends with a clip of Hattie White, Jay-Z’s grandmother, speaking about resilience and making the best of hardship. This sentiment of turning adversity into strength is the very essence of “Lemonade” and resonates deeply within “Freedom.”
“Freedom” as an Anthem for Racial Justice Movements
Beyoncé herself has consistently positioned “Freedom” as an anthem for social and racial justice. Back in 2016, she delivered a powerful a cappella performance of the song in Scotland, prefacing it with a moment of silence to honor Black Americans killed by police violence, as reported by The Cut.
In a particularly striking performance that same year at an award show, Beyoncé and Lamar joined forces to perform “Freedom,” incorporating a voiceover of Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, a moment documented by Time. This performance powerfully linked the Civil Rights Movement of the past with the ongoing fight for racial equality in the present.
When nationwide protests erupted in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, activists readily adopted “Freedom” as a rallying cry. Actress Amber Riley’s performance of the song at a protest against police violence outside the Los Angeles mayor’s residence, as reported by Billboard, is just one example of how the song became woven into the fabric of the movement.
“Freedom” on the Campaign Trail: Kamala Harris and Beyond
The Harris campaign’s embrace of “Freedom” began when Beyoncé and her team granted them permission to use the song shortly after the Vice President announced her presidential bid in July. This decision immediately signaled a powerful alignment between Harris’s message and the song’s themes. “Freedom” was prominently featured in Harris’s first campaign ad, underscoring the central theme of liberty.
In the ad, as Beyoncé’s powerful vocals fill the soundtrack, Harris directly addresses voters, stating, “In this election, we each face a question: What kind of country do we want to live in? There are some people who think we should be a country of chaos, of fear, of hate. But us, we choose something different. We choose freedom.” This direct association of “Freedom” with the core values of the Harris campaign immediately solidified the song’s role.
Since then, “Freedom” has become Harris’s signature walk-out song at rallies and campaign events, including a recent event at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, as reported by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The word “Freedom” itself has become a visual motif, emblazoned on signs and banners throughout the Harris-Walz campaign events, further cementing the song’s symbolic importance.
Interestingly, the power of “Freedom” isn’t lost on the opposing side. The Trump campaign also attempted to leverage the song, using it in a video posted on X. However, this attempt was swiftly shut down. Beyoncé’s record label and music publisher issued a cease-and-desist letter, forcing the Trump campaign to remove the video, as reported by Billboard. This incident further highlights the song’s strong association with specific political values and campaigns, and the protective stance Beyoncé’s team takes regarding its use.
In conclusion, “Freedom” by Beyoncé is far more than just a popular song; it is a potent cultural artifact deeply embedded in the struggle for racial justice and equality. Its adoption by the Harris campaign is a strategic and meaningful choice, leveraging the song’s powerful message and resonance to communicate core campaign values and connect with voters on an emotional and ideological level. The song’s journey, from a track on a groundbreaking album to an anthem of social movements and now a political campaign, speaks volumes about its enduring power and relevance in contemporary society.
