Free

## Song by PrettyMuch

"**Free**" is a song by PrettyMuch, appearing as the third and final track from their fourth extended play, *Smackables* (2021). It was produced by Brandon Arreaga, who co-wrote it with David Pramik, Edwin Honoret, and Gregory Aldae Hein.

## Background

In a statement, the group shared that the song was "one of the sweeter breakup songs we have ever written. It's about having to let someone go because that's what's ultimately best for the relationship. We all have had those moments where sometimes the only solution is to leave something you love behind. We actually made this song completely from the comfort of our own home and got to record real violin to add some extra emotion to it. It's a different but tasteful approach for a ballad."

To *GQ*, when asked if any of their personal experiences went into the song, Edwin Honoret said, "For "Free" specifically, I think we all have our own version of it, but being "famous" or being in this entertainment industry, love is hard. Like, sometimes I want to go out and I want to party, just so I can have content to write about. I want to live life. There's gonna be times where you have to be willing to put yourself through a struggle just so you have something to write about." Brandon Arreaga added, "I feel like there are a lot of breakup songs that are more savage. But this is a breakup song about, like, this is what's for the best. One of the things we were talking about the whole time we were writing about is the 'it's not you, it's me' sentiment. It hurts me to know that I'm hurting you, but I'm letting you live your life and not holding you back from things you're probably gonna love more. The life that's ahead of you."

## Personnel

* Austin Porter - vocals
* Brandon Arreaga - vocals, writer, producer, programmer
* Dale Becker - masterer
* Danny Garcia - vocal recording engineer
* David Pramik - writer, programmer
* Edwin Honoret - vocals, writer
* Gregory Aldae Hein - writer
* Heidi Wang - assistant mixer
* Nick Mara - vocals
* Zion Kuwonu - vocals

## Music video

### Background

The music video was uploaded to YouTube on February 10, 2021, directed by Keenan O’Reilly. As PrettyMuch narrate, it stars Kamryn Hernandez and Victor Velloso.

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Nick]

Love, love, love

[Verse 1: Austin, *Zion*]

It's a cold world, getting colder

So it hurts my heart to let you down, down

*It was young love, but we're older*

*And we grew apart, look at us now, now*

[Pre-Chorus: Brandon]

We don't have to fix it all to work it out

If you really love me, then you'll let me set you free

[Chorus: Nick, *Austin*, **Zion**]

Set you free

*Just breathe*

**Let me set you free**

[Verse 2: Edwin, *Nick*]

Lookin' back, what we had just ain't what it was

Got too attached way too fast and it's all because

It wasn't easy, easy, for the both of us

You say you need me, need me, it's just comfortable

*I get emotional, I wear my heart on my sleeve*

*It ain't disposable, you know Balenci' ain't cheap*

It isn't easy, easy, tryna say goodbye

But just believe me, leave me, you're gonna be alright

[Pre-Chorus: Brandon]

We don't have to fix it all to work it out (Work it out)

If you really love me, then you'll let me set you free

[Chorus: Nick, *Austin*, **Zion**, ***Brandon***]

Set you free

*Just breathe*

*Let me set you free* (***We don't have to fix it all to work it out***)

[Bridge: Austin, All]

Woah-oh-oh-oh

Woah-oh-oh-oh (*I*)

**Woah-oh-oh-oh**

**Woah-oh-oh-oh**

[Pre-Chorus: Brandon, *Austin*]

We don't have to fix it all to work it out

If you really love me, then you'll let me set you free, yeah

(*Woah-oh-oh-oh*)

(*Woah-oh-oh-oh*)

[Chorus: Nick, *Austin*, **Zion**, ***Brandon***]

Set you free, yeah

Just breathe (**Just breathe**)

**Let me set you free**

***We don't have to fix it all to work it out***

***If you really love me, then you'll let me set you free***

## References

1. ↑ Leiber, Sarah Jae (February 10, 2021). "PRETTYMUCH Share Heartfelt New Video for 'Free'".
2. ↑ Armstrong, Megan (January 29, 2021). "PrettyMuch Wants to Be the Anti-Boy Band". *GQ*.
3. ↑ "PRETTYMUCH - Free (Official Music Video)". *YouTube*. February 10, 2021.