The original soundtrack of the 1984 blockbuster movie, “Footloose” is remembered as a true musical phenomenon. This highly enjoyable, mainstream compilation kept the #1 spot for ten weeks on Billboard’s album chart and became one of the all-time best sellers with certified sales of nine million copies in the USA alone. “Footloose” was also a hit singles’ machine with six of the nine tracks reaching the top 40. Among those big hits were two exquisite dance/pop numbers; Deniece Williams’ sweet “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” that reached #1 and Shalamar’s “Dancing In The Sheets.” “Almost Paradise,” sung by Ann Wilson of Heart and Mike Reno of Loverboy, was the album’s intense power ballad while Kenny Loggins’ rocking title track was the other #1 smash and the best known riff from the movie. Loggins sang another successful rocker on the soundtrack, “I’m Free (Heaven Helps The Man).” This song, co-written by Loggins with Dean Pitchford who also wrote the screenplay for “Footloose,” is a synth-driven up-tempo thing co-produced by David Foster. It is performed with strength by the singer under Foster’s high-tech production with a hefty use of synthesizers, programmed drums and guitars quite typical of the era. “I’m Free (Heaven Helps The Man)” became another top 40 smash and is one more successful chapter in the long history of Foster/Loggins collaborations.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_m_free_(heaven_helps_the_man).mp3|titles=I’m free (heaven helps the man)|artists=Roch Voisine]

Lead Vocals: Kenny Loggins
Steve Wood: Acoustic Piano
Bass: Nathan East
Drums: Tris Imboden
Guitar: Buzzy Feiten
Guitar Solo: Steve Lukather
Synthesizer: David Foster
Background Vocals: “The Screamers”
Produced by David Foster & Kenny Loggins

Lyrics

Looking into your eyes I know I’m right
If there’s anything worth my love it’s worth a fight
We only get one chance
But nothing ties our hands
You’re what I want
Listen to me
Nothing I want
Is out of my reach

Chorus
(I’M FREE)
HEAVEN HELPS THE MAN who fights his fear
Love’s the only thing that keeps me here
You’re the reason that I’m hanging on
My heart’s staying where my heart belongs
(I’M FREE)

Running away will never make me free
And nothing we sign is any kind of guarantee
But I wanna hold you now
And I won’t hold you down

I’m shaking the past
Making my breaks
Taking control
If that’s what it takes

Chorus