Free to Be… You and Me is a record album and illustrated songbook for children, first released in November 1972, and later in 1974 as a television special, featuring songs and stories from celebrities (credited as "Marlo Thomas and Friends"). Using poetry, songs, and sketches, the basic concept was to salute values such as individuality, tolerance, and happiness with one's identity; a major thematic message is that you, whether a boy or a girl, can achieve anything you want. The album has become a cult classic amongst many children raised in the 1970s.
The original idea to create the album came from Thomas; she wanted to teach her then-young niece Dionne about life. A well-received sequel, Free to Be . . . A Family, was produced in 1987.
The album has been published by Arista Records since 1983 (it was first published by Bell Records), and is still in print today.
Track listing
- "Free To Be... You And Me" - Music by Stephen Lawrence, Lyrics by Bruce Hart, Performed by The New Seekers
- "Boy Meets Girl" - Written by Carl Reiner and Peter Stone, Performed by Mel Brooks and Marlo Thomas
- "When We Grow Up" - Music by Stephen Lawrence, Lyrics by Shelley Miller, Performed by Diana Ross
- "Don't Dress Your Cat In An Apron" - Performed by Billy De Wolfe
- "Parents Are People" - Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall, Performed by Harry Belafonte and Marlo Thomas
- "Housework" - Performed by Carol Channing
- "Helping" - Written by Shel Silverstein, Performed by Tom Smothers
- "Ladies First" - Performed by Marlo Thomas
- "Dudley Pippin And The Principal" - Performed by Billy De Wolfe, Bobby Morse, and Marlo Thomas
- "It's All Right To Cry" - Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall, Performed by Rosey Grier
- "Sister And Brothers" - Music by Stephen Lawrence, Lyrics by Bruce Hart, Performed by Sisters and Brothers
- "My Dog Is A Plumber" - Performed by Dick Cavett
- "William's Doll" - Music by Mary Rodgers, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Performed by Alan Alda and Marlo Thomas
- "Atalanta" - Performed by Alan Alda and Marlo Thomas
- "Grandma" - Performed by Diana Sands
- "Girl Land" - Music by Mary Rodgers, Lyrics by Bruce Hart, Performed by Jack Cassidy and Shirley Jones
- "Dudley Pippin And His No-Friend" - Performed by Bobby Morse and Marlo Thomas
- "Glad To Have A Friend Like You" - Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall, Performed by Marlo Thomas
Who Remembers Free To Be You And Me
Again I'll refer to the Wikipedia entry and a few excerpts. Oy, I feel old.
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11 comments:
I LOVED that album. I didn't know it was a television special until.. hmm.. I think someone in college mentioned it. I'm in my 30s now and can probably still sing along with all the songs. I guess we're both old. ;)
My daughter listens to this evey night at bedtime.
"There's a land that I see where the children are free, and I say it ain't far to this land from where we are. Take my hand come with me, where the children are free, come with me, take my hand and we'll liii-ive....in a land where the rivers run free, in a land in free country...."
Ummm, never heard of it ;)
I just discovered it! My sister bought it and played it non-stop...ladies first, ladies first...
I love this album and I especially love the wonderful actress Diana Sands who performs "Grandma". She was a phenomenal stage and screen actress who is greatly missed. Thanks for the opportunity to remember her.
Hi Ahuva,
Yes, we are both old but not as old as some of the others here. Hee hee, someone is punching me in the arm.
AMM,
Really? I have it on vinyl and CD but my kids aren't quite into it yet.
Tamara,;)
TRW,
As a kid I really didn't like that song, for obvious reasons.
Kathryn,
My pleasure.
This album is one of the hallmarks of my childhood. I know every word to every song.
What, you thought it bad for a little girl to get eaten by a lion? How chivalrous ;)
You know every word because you are still a child.
TRW,
That is me. ;)
A great one to add to that list comes from a recent show on self esteem and diversity. It's Called
Happy to be Nappy!
It's awesome.
Happy to be nappy. Cool.
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