"Free" was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They disbanded in 1973 and lead singer Paul Rodgers went on to become a frontman of the band "Bad Company" along with Simon Kirke on drums. Lead guitarist Paul Kossoff formed "Back Street Crawler" and died from drug-induced heart failure at the age of 25 in 1976. Bassist Andy Fraser formed "Sharks".
The band was famed for its sensational live shows and nonstop touring. However, early studio albums did not sell very well – until the release of "Fire and Water" which featured the massive hit "All Right Now". The song helped secure them a place at the huge Isle of Wight Festival 1970 where they played to 600,000 people.
By the early 1970s, Free was one of the biggest-selling British blues rock groups; by the time the band dissolved in 1973, they had sold more than 20 million albums around the world and had played more than 700 arena and festival concerts. "All Right Now," remains a rock staple, and had been entered into ASCAP's "One Million" airplay singles club.
Rolling Stone has referred to the band as "British hard rock pioneers". The magazine ranked Rodgers No. 55 in its list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time", while Kossoff was ranked No. 51 in its list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
The song has an impressive charts history, a # 1 hit in over 20 charts, e.g.:
Netherlands 1
France 1
Italy 1
Austria 1
Denmark 1
Norway 1
Sweden 1
UK 2
Switzerland 4
US 4
Germany 5
Belgium 10
Still I thought it was about time to pump up the volume, the sound, the bass, the base drums... hope you like it, let me know! By the way, this is the stereo single version, which in my opinion is far far better than the polished album version, that has a rhythm guitar that sounds totally different (lacks the repetitive striking of the guitar strings). This single version is also on the album ("Fire And Water" Japan UICY 9132 2001 remaster).
Personnel:
Andy Fraser - bass, piano (1968–1971, 1972; died 2015)
Simon Kirke - drums (1968–1971, 1972–1973)
Paul Kossoff - guitar (1968–1971, 1972–1973; died 1976)
Paul Rodgers - lead vocals, piano (1968–1971, 1972–1973)
later members:
John "Rabbit" Bundrick - keyboards (1972–1973)
Tetsu Yamauchi - bass (1972–1973)
Wendell Richardson - guitar (1973)
ALL RIGHT NOW
(Andy Fraser/Paul Rodgers)
there she stood in the street
smiling from her head up to her feet
I said "Hey, what is this"
now baby, maybe maybe she's in need of a kiss
I said "Hey, what's your name baby"
maybe we can see things the same
now don't you wait or hesitate
let's move before they raise the parking rent
all right now, baby, it's all right now
all right now, baby, it's all right now
let me tell you now
I took her home to my place
watching ev'ry move on her face
she said "Look, what's your game, baby
are you tryin' to put me in shame?"
I said "slow don't go so fast,
don't you think that love can last?"
she said "Love, Lord above,
now you're tryin'
