Freedom Overspill

"Freedom Overspill"
Cover art for UK and non-US editions
Single by Steve Winwood
from the album Back in the High Life
B-side	"Help Me Angel"
Released	August 1986
Recorded	Autumn 1985
Studio	Unique Recording Studio, New York City[1]
Genre	Dance-rock, blue-eyed soul, funk rock
Length	5:33 (album version) 4:09 (single version)
Label	Island - IS 294
Songwriter(s)	Steve Winwood, George Fleming, James Hooker
Producer(s)	Russ Titelman
Steve Winwood singles chronology
"Higher Love" (1986) "Freedom Overspill" (1986) "Back in the High Life Again" (1986)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Number One	[2]

"Freedom Overspill" is a 1986 song by Steve Winwood that reached number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart.[3] It was the second single released from his fourth solo album, Back in the High Life. It was produced by Russ Titelman and Winwood. James Hooker, Winwood's touring keyboard player and a former member of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, was credited with co-writing the song with Winwood and George Fleming.[1]

It appeared in the 1987 Ridley Scott film Someone to Watch Over Me, as well as the 1987 film Big Shots.

Track listing

7": Island / IS 294 United Kingdom

1. "Freedom Overspill" - 4:09
2. "Spanish Dancer" - 3:07

7": Island / 7-28595 United States

1. "Freedom Overspill" - 4:09
2. "Help Me Angel" - 5:06

12": Island / 12 IS 294 United Kingdom

1. "Freedom Overspill" (Remix) - 8:30
2. "Freedom Overspill" - 5:33
3. "Spanish Dancer" 5:56

• Track 1 remixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero

12": Island / 0-20537 United States

1. "Freedom Overspill" (Remix) - 7:30
2. "Freedom Overspill" (Dub) - 6:00
3. "Higher Love" (Remix) 7:45
4. "Help Me Angel" - 5:06

• Tracks 1 and 2 remixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero
• Track 3 remixed by Tom Lord-Alge

Personnel

• Steve Winwood – vocals, Hammond organ, synth bass, drum machine programming, sequencer programming
• Robbie Kilgore – synthesizer and sequencer programming
• Joe Walsh – slide guitar
• Eddie Martinez – rhythm guitar
• Jimmy Bralower – additional drum machine programming
• Steve Ferrone – drums
• Carole Steele – percussion
• Lewis Del Gatto – baritone and tenor saxophones
• Bob Mintzer – tenor saxophone
• George Young – alto saxophone
• Tom Malone – trombone
• Randy Brecker – trumpet
• David Frank – horn arrangements

Charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[4]	39
UK Singles (OCC)[5]	69
US Billboard Hot 100[6]	20
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[7]	4

References

1. "Freedom Overspill". AllMusic.
2. Martin, Anna (13 September 1986). "Singles: Steve Winwood – "Freedom Overspill" (Island)". Number One. No. 169. London: IPC Magazines Ltd. p. 42. ISSN 0266-5328. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024 – via Flickr.
3. "Steve Winwood". Billboard.
4. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0862." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
6. "Steve Winwood Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
7. "Steve Winwood Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2024.

External links

• Steve Winwood website album details
• "Freedom Overspill" at Discogs (list of releases)