Free

* Single
* Album1
* Album2

**"Free"** is a song by Natalia Kills. It is the third song featured on her debut studio album, *Perfectionist*.

The song was released alongside the album on April 1, 2011, and as the album's third single on June 28, 2011.

The music video premiered on July 4, 2011, and the Panasonic video was released on September 2, 2011.

## Lyrics

* Single
* Album

**[Intro]**

*(I'm)*

**[Refrain: will.i.am]**

I got some money in my pocket, and I wanna go shopping

And go buy me some things I like

I saw some kicks up in the mall that I just gotta be rocking

I love to rock them things I like

I'm no material guy, I just wanna look fly

Cool suits, dope boots

Them them the things I like

'Cause when I get my gear straight

Them honeys gonna be jocking, yeah *(Jocking, jocking, yeah)*

**[Chorus]**

I'm free

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

Free

Burnt a hole in my pocket

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

**[Verse 1]**

Call me a perfectionist

Addicted to immaculate

The hair right, shoes tight

Got to look the dress, the part

I've nothing in my pocket

Got a catwalk for a closet

On my last lonely dollar

Lock me up before I hit the store

**[Pre-Chorus 1]**

Wanna be like Midas when my bank account is minus

Gotta stretch that dollar bill, stretch that dollar

Need a genie in a bottle, change a quarter to a hundred

Gotta stretch that dollar bill, stretch that dollar bill

**[Chorus]**

I'm free

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

Free

Burnt a hole in my pocket

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

**[Verse 2]**

I wear it once and I don't pop the tag

The next day Imma bring it back

I'm at the store

Can't find nothing cheaper than my credit score

My wallet's anorexic

Can I pay my rent the next month?

I can hear my name calling from stilettos on display

**[Pre-Chorus 2]**

Window shopping's overrated, If I see it Imma take it

Gotta stretch that dollar bill, stretch that dollar

This Vogue is only paper, I can't wear the glossy pages

Gotta stretch that dollar bill, stretch that dollar bill

**[Chorus]**

I'm free

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

Free

Burnt a hole in my pocket

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

**[B-Section]**

Get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out

Mm, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out

**[Refrain: will.i.am]**

I-I-I got some, I got some money in my pocket, and I wanna go shopping *(Shopping)*

And go buy me some things I like

I-I-I-I saw some kicks up in the mall that I just gotta be rocking *(Rocking)*

I love to rock them things I like

I'm no material guy, I just wanna look fly

Cool suits, dope boots

Them them the things I like

'Cause when I get my gear straight

Them honeys gonna be jocking, jocking, jocking, yeah

**[Bridge]**

I need to marry a man from Bel Air

One rack, two rack, ladies cleared *(I'm)*

I can fill an aircraft hanger with my coat hangers

Bankrupt? It don't matter

Girls cut their eye 'cause they so mad

I could look fresh in a potato sack *(I'm)*

Need an overdraft on my overdraft

If the bank man calls, just tell him

**[Chorus]**

I'm free

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

Free

Burnt a hole in my pocket

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

**[B-Section]**

Get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out *(Mm, hole in my pocket)*

Mm, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out *(I'm free, free, baby, free, baby)*

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out *(Now I'm free, free, ooh, oh-oh)*

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out *(Ooh, oh-oh-oh)*

**[Outro]**

I'm free, free, free

I'm free, free, free, free, yeah

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't, don't cost a thing

Oh, it don't cost a thing

Don't cost a thing

Yeah, oh-oh-oh, oh

Yeah

*(I'm)*

**[Intro]**

*(I'm)*

Yeah

*(I'm)*

**[B-Section]**

Get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out

Mm, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out

**[Chorus]**

I'm free

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

Free

Burnt a hole in my pocket

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

**[Verse 1]**

Call me a perfectionist

Addicted to immaculate

The hair right, shoes tight

Got to look the dress, the part

I've nothing in my pocket

Got a catwalk for a closet

On my last lonely dollar

Lock me up before I hit the store

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Wanna be like Midas when my bank account is minus

Gotta stretch that dollar bill, stretch that dollar

Need a genie in a bottle, change a quarter to a hundred

Gotta stretch that dollar bill, stretch that dollar bill

**[Chorus]**

I'm free

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

Free

Burnt a hole in my pocket

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

**[Verse 2]**

I wear it once and I don't pop the tag

The next day Imma bring it back

I'm at the store

Can't find nothing cheaper than my credit score

My wallet's anorexic

Can I pay my rent the next month?

I can hear my name calling from stilettos on display

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Window shopping's overrated, If I see it Imma take it

Gotta stretch that dollar bill, stretch that dollar

This Vogue is only paper, I can't wear the glossy pages

Gotta stretch that dollar bill, stretch that dollar

**[Chorus]**

I'm free

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

Free

Burnt a hole in my pocket

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

**[B-Section]**

Get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out

Mm, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out

**[Bridge]**

(I'm) I need to marry a man from Bel Air

One rack, two rack, ladies cleared *(I'm)*

I can fill an aircraft hanger with my coat hangers

Bankrupt? It don't matter

Girls cut their eye cause they so mad

I could look fresh in a potato sack *(I'm)*

Need an overdraft on my overdraft

If the bank man calls, just tell him

**[Chorus]**

I'm free

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

Free

Burnt a hole in my pocket

But I rock that like it don't cost a thing

**[B-Section]**

Get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out *(Hole in my pocket)*

Mm, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 20's out *(I'm free, free, baby, free, baby)*

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out *(Now I'm free, free, ooh, oh-oh)*

Ooh, get ya 5's, get ya 10's, get ya 50's out *(Ooh, oh-oh-oh)*

**[Outro]**

I'm free, free, free

I'm free, free, free, free, yeah

I just spent all my money

But I rock that like it don't, don't cost a thing

Oh, it don't cost a thing

Don't cost a thing

Yeah, oh-oh-oh, oh

Yeah

*(I'm)*

## Background

On October 1, 2010, Teddy performed this song for the first known time at Shepherd's Bush Empire during Kelis' October 2010 tour through Europe. Lyrics to the song were teased a few times on Twitter afterward.

A demo of the song leaked on October 11, 2010, along with demos of "Wonderland" and "Break You Hard." The demo features rougher vocals and, most notably, a chorus in a different key. The final version of the song leaked on January 1, 2011.

Days after being announced as a single, the remix version with will.i.am leaked. Later that day, Cherrytree Records teased the collaboration. On June 15, 2011, the cover art for the single leaked. Teddy shared her thoughts about this on Twitter.

## Announcement and Release

### Album

In August of 2010, Teddy shared an early track listing of *Perfectionist* with Page Six where "Free" was listed as the second track. This is the first time this song's existence was confirmed.

On March 12, 2011, a 30 second preview of the song was made available when the album was put up for pre-order in Germany. The song was shown to be the third track on the standard version of the album.

The song was officially released in some European countries on April 1, 2011.

### Single

On June 1, 2011, Teddy announced in a live chat that "Free" was going to be the next single released from *Perfectionist*. By June 5, 2011, it was confirmed that a version with will.i.am was going to be the single.

The remix was officially uploaded to Cherrytree's website and SoundCloud on June 15, 2011, where the release date was announced. The song was officially released as a single on June 28, 2011.

The song was released as a single in the United Kingdom alongside the *Free (EP)* which contains both versions of "Free" and two remixes.

## Videos

* Music Video
* Panasonic
* Panasonic Promo

 **Producer** | Virginie Drouot, Michelle An

* B&W
* Color 1
* Color 2
* Color 3

 **Production Company** | Panasonic Visuals

 **Production Company** | Panasonic Visuals

 **Production Company** | Panasonic Visuals

 **Production Company** | Panasonic Visuals

 **Length** | 0:21

### Background

It was reported that filming for the music video would begin on June 16, 2021. Teddy announced that she would be filming the music video the following week on June 9, 2011.

Teddy was on set for the music video from June 16 to June 17. On June 18, she tweeted from the set of the Panasonic shoot. It is unknown when shooting for the Panasonic video officially wrapped. However, it can be inferred that it was finished sometime before June 23, 2011, as she traveled to France for a performance. She uploaded behind-the-scenes images over the next few days.

On July 4, 2011, Teddy announced that the music video was finally finished. The video premiered that same day. "Natalia Kills" was the sixth trending topic worldwide on Twitter following the music video premiere.

The Panasonic video in color premiered at IFA 2011 in Germany on September 2, 2011, at the Panasonic booth. The black and white version was uploaded on September 12, 2011.

## Writing and Development

### Shopaholic

Production of this song began with an early demo entitled "Shopaholic" after her tumultuous time as Verbalicious. The song was uploaded to Verbz's MySpace at the beginning of 2008 and was likely written and recorded sometime in the 2007. Many verses in "Shopaholic" were reworded and used in what would later become "Free." The theme of spending money also likely stemmed from this demo.

### Hot Mess

In 2008, Teddy recorded another demo entitled "Hot Mess," this time under the name Natalia Kills. Two lines from the third verse were taken and used in the bridge of "Free."

### Free

The song as it is known today was written alongside Jeff Bhasker, Scott Mescudi, and Dion Wilson during the production of her debut album, *Perfectionist.* The song was written sometime before September 9, 2010. Lines from the aforementioned demos were incorporated into the lyrics.

### Free (Remix)

It is unconfirmed if the remix with will.i.am was recorded around the same time as the solo version. Considering the rougher demos of the song that leaked were solo, it can be assumed that the solo version came first. The remix was recorded sometime before June 4, 2011.

## Meaning

In an interview with Musiq Tone, Teddy stated:

> "Yes, I wrote that song when I was broke ... but I was still happy. I had almost nothing, but I honestly felt fabulous and I wanted everyone to know that style is not dictated by how much money you have or where you shop. We should be free from our possessions and not let material things own us or affect our happiness."
>
>

She told Fault Magazine:

> "It's about the time when I was a waitress and a starving songwriter with absolutely no money. I always knew I was just one phone call away from perfection - from the perfect life. I was just one check away from the perfect wardrobe. It's that easy. I felt fabulous wearing a ten-dollar thrift store outfit. Literally no one knew that I was struggling at the time because my perfection lay in my happiness, not in my budget."
>
>

## Releases

The following list may be incomplete. For a more detailed look at the releases by country, go to the song's release history.

* Single Digital Downloads
* Remixes

* June 24
* June 28
* Sep 2

 **Total length:** 4:29

 **Total length:** 4:29

 **Total length:** 4:29

* Sep 9
* Dec 5

 **2.** Free
 **3.** Free (feat. will.i.am) [Moto Blanco Club Mix]
 **4.** Free (feat. will.i.am) [The Bimbo Jones Radio Edit]
 **Total length:** 19:50

 **2.** Free (feat. will.i.am) [Guena LG Club Mix]
 **Total length:** 10:04

## Credits

### Musicians

* **Teddy Sinclair** - Vocals
* **will.i.am** - Vocals (Remix)

### Technical

* Produced by: **Jeff Bhasker**
* Co-Produced by: **Dion ‘No I.D.’ Wilson**
* Written by: **Natalia Kills, Jeff Bhasker, William Adams, Scot Mescudi, Dion Wilson**
* Published by: **The Kills Effect / Songs Of Universal (BMI) / Sony ATV Songs LLC (BMI) / Way Above Music (BMI) / i.am.composing, llc (BMI) / BMG Sapphire Songs (BMI) / Elsie ’s Baby Boy Publishing (ASCAP) / Chrysalis Publishing (BMI)**
* Recorded by: **Jeff Bhasker, Anthony Kilhoffer**
* Recorded at: **Enormous Studios**
* Vocal edits by: **Martin Kierszenbaum**
* Mixed by: **Robert Orton**
* Mixed at: **Metropolis Studios**
* Mastered by: **Gene Grimaldi**
* Mastered at: **Oasis Mastering Studio**
* Executively produced by: **will.i.am, Martin Kierszenbaum**

## References

1. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: RT @nicksamazing: @NataliaKills my wallets anorexic.." October 15, 2010. Tweet from @xgeeohx.
2. ↑ "'Wanna be like Midas when my bank account is minus' - Natalia Kills 'Free'" October 27, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @cherrytreerec on Twitter.
3. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: I'M FREE. http://twitpic.com/3fs8lp" December 14, 2010. Tweet from @cherrytreerec.
4. ↑ "(Just Leaked) Natalia Kills - Free / Wonderland / Break You Hard http://atrl.net/99444" October 11, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @atrl on Twitter.
5. ↑ "Natalia Kills - FREE ALBUM VERSION >>>>>>>>>> DEMO. Omg I love it." January 1, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @SONNYVDP on Twitter.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Natalia Kills - Free (Ft. Will.i.Am) (REMIX) http://migre.me/4J2fc" June 4, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @leohenan on Twitter.
7. ↑ "With @iamwill in NYC working on something very cool @NataliaKills-related" June 4, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @cherrytreerec on Twitter.
8. ↑ "Natalia Kills - Free (feat. will.i.am) Official Single Cover http://twitpic.com/5c1fak" June 15, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @NataliaKillsSP on Twitter.
9. ↑ "Leak??? That sucks :( RT @NataliaKills: I HATE THE LEAKED COVER OF FREE FT WILL!! UGH!! WTF!!!!!!!" June 16, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @unrelataeble on Twitter.
10. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: I'M SORRY BUT I'M DISGUSTED... TOTALLY DISGUSTED." June 16, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @wallycee on Twitter.
11. ↑ "Sexy RT @NataliaKills: I JUST THREW UP IN MY MOUTH A BIT." June 16, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @RemarkableCyruz on Twitter.
12. ↑ Page Six - "Exclusive look inside Natalia Kills ‘Perfectionist’ album" August 11, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2021 via Page Six.
13. ↑ "Ascoltate la preview di "Perfectionist" http://www.amazon.de/Perfectionist-Explicit/dp/B004RTHEGI/ref=sr\_1\_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1299931258&sr=8-17" March 12, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2021 via @NataliaKillsIT on Twitter.
14. ↑ Perfectionist Preview on Amazon March 12, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2021 via Amazon Germany.
15. ↑ "\*RUMOR\* Em um Live Chat, @NataliaKills confirmou Free como seu próximo single!" June 1, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @TSinclairBrasil on Twitter.
16. ↑ "The Prophet Blog on @NataliaKills http://www.theprophetblog.net/natalia-kills-selects-free-as-next-perfectionist-single" June 5, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @cherrytreerec on Twitter.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "NATALIA KILLS SELECTS “FREE” AS NEXT ‘PERFECTIONIST’ SINGLE" June 5, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via The Prophet Blog.
18. ↑ "Natalia Kills - Free (ft. WIll.I.Am)" June 15, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via Cherrytree Records' website.
19. ↑ "Natalia Kills - Free (ft. WIll.I.Am) - Cherrytree Records http://www.cherrytreerecords.com/profiles/blogs/natalia-kills-free-ft-william" June 15, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @iamsylviaDE on Twitter.
20. ↑ "VIDEO PREMIERE: NATALIA KILLS - FREE (FEAT. WILL.I.AM)" July 4, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via entertainmentalk.
21. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: @LANESTEWART ha ha I know right? Shooting the FREE video next week, come by while we shoot!" June 9, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @iamsylviaDE on Twitter.
22. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: On set... In heaven... Same thing really..." June 16, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @cherrytreerec on Twitter.
23. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: Day 2 of shooting. Now now kids, not that kind of shooting..." June 17, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @ChiefKoboei on Twitter.
24. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: On set of my panasonic FREE video shoot.Day 3. Ponytail. I rock that like it don't cost a thing.. http://yfrog.com/kg682fj" June 18, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @cherrytreerec on Twitter.
25. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: Hair and makeup madness. Wardrobe next... 1 rack, 2 rack, ladies' cleared! http://yfrog.com/h0fu2ddj" June 18, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @caainan on Twitter.
26. ↑ "Have great day at Paris ya! RT: @NataliaKills: PARIS PARIS PARIS. http://welcometodebauchery.tumblr.com" June 23, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @kelbinKILLS on Twitter.
27. ↑ "OMG! I love it too! ;D RT @NataliaKills: @LANESTEWART http://twitpic.com/5ed1on - i love this shot!" June 20, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @willamsbeard on Twitter.
28. ↑ "ON SET: “FREE”- KILLS x Will.i.am Photography by LANE STEWART. http://lane-stewart.com" June 21, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via Welcome to Debauchery on Tumblr.
29. ↑ "ON SET: “FREE”- KILLS x Will.i.am Photography by LANE STEWART. http://lane-stewart.com" June 22, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via Welcome to Debauchery on Tumblr.
30. ↑ "ON SET: “FREE”- KILLS x Will.i.am Photography by LANE STEWART. http://lane-stewart.com" June 23, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via Welcome to Debauchery on Tumblr.
31. ↑ "ON SET: “FREE”- KILLS x Will.i.am Photography by LANE STEWART. http://lane-stewart.com" June 23, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via Welcome to Debauchery on Tumblr.
32. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: the FREE film is finally finished!!!: Video Debauchery meets Chainsaw Couture http://twitpic.com/5l3ttn" July 4, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via @LATrash on Twitter.
33. ↑ "Lmao !! RT @NataliaKills: trending worldwide? fuck me!" July 4, 2011. Tweet from @Bubbly\_Samy.
34. ↑ "RT @NataliaKills: I love you my Sweethearts! Can't believe i'm 6th worldwide trending topic. My fans are unbelievable... I LOVE YOU ALL ;-)" July 4, 2011. Tweet from @NKillsLover.
35. ↑ "Free 3D Video Premieres at IFA 2011 Berlin" September 1, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via Natalia Kills' website.
36. ↑ Premiere at IFA 2011 September 3, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via Fuck Yeah Natalia Kills on Tumblr.
38. ↑ "Natalia Kills - Free (Panasonic Version)" September 12, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2021 via Natalia Kills' website.
39. ↑ Billboard Article July 2, 2011.
40. ↑  File:Fault 6.jpg
41. ↑ Natalia Kills: Interview September 15, 2011. Interview with Gigwise.
42. ↑ AN INTERVIEW WITH NATALIA KILLS // THE PERFECTIONIST November 29, 2010. Interview with A Big City Died.
43. ↑ "Début 2008, Verse rajoute des nouveaux morceaux sur son MySpace 'Shopaholic' et 'Swaggeriffic'..." April 21, 2008. Post about "Shopaholic" being released at the beginning of 2008. Verbz-official on Skyrock.
44. ↑ "@nataliadaily apparently "Free" is leaked" September 9, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @dovalofficial on Twitter.
45. ↑ "@nataliadaily some people on last.fm have been listening to it,trying to get my hands on it, yall will get the exclusive if its real :D" September 10, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @dovalofficial on Twitter.
46. ↑ "@brandOkills some people just name a song 'Natalia Kills - Free' & then play it so watch out :)" September 10, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2021 via @talonjakob on Twitter.