The iconic rock ballad “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd has become ingrained in pop culture over the years, leading many to wonder if it has been featured in various media as a nod to its legacy. Specifically, some have questioned if “Free Bird” is used in the 2013 film Free Birds due to the seeming connection between the song title and movie name.
Quick Summary
In short, “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd is not actually used in the 2013 animated film Free Birds. The film features an original score and soundtrack composed by Dominic Lewis. However, the movie title appears to be an allusion or homage to the timeless Lynyrd Skynyrd hit, given the shared name. While “Free Bird” does not make an appearance in the Free Birds film itself, the song’s cultural significance and link to the movie through their common namesake is undeniable.
About “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Free Bird,” often considered Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature song, was released in 1973 as the closing track on their debut album “(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd).” A sweeping, epic rock ballad running over 9 minutes long, “Free Bird” features lead singer Ronnie Van Zant’s impassioned vocals, a memorable piano intro by band member Billy Powell, and an iconic extended guitar solo by Gary Rossington. The song’s lyrical themes of freedom and longing struck a chord with listeners, making “Free Bird” an enduring staple on classic rock radio over the decades. Several lines and verses have become ingrained in pop culture like “If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?” and “Cause I’m as free as a bird now.”
Beyond its musical and lyrical impact, “Free Bird” has immortalized Lynyrd Skynyrd as a Southern rock legend. It is inextricably linked to the band’s identity and sound. After originally topping out at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974, a live version of “Free Bird” was released in 1987 following a tragic 1977 plane crash that killed several members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. This commemorative release reached #9 on the chart, reminding the world of Ronnie Van Zant’s incredible vocals and the song’s powerful crescendo and unforgettable guitar work. “Free Bird” remains one of the most requested songs at concerts today, as fans long to hear its soaring guitars and impassioned vocals performed live.
Key Facts on “Free Bird”
- Released in 1973 on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album “(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)”
- Length of over 9 minutes featuring extended guitar solo section
- Highest chart peak at #19 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1974
- Live version released in 1987 reached #9 on Billboard Hot 100
- Considered Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature song
- Famously requested by audiences during concerts, often as the final encore
- Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018
About the Film Free Birds
Free Birds is a 2013 computer-animated comedy film produced by Relativity Media and Reel FX Creative Studios. Directed by Jimmy Hayward, it features the voices of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler, and George Takei. The film follows two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks who travel back in time to change history in order to get turkey off the annual Thanksgiving menu. Reggie is a free-range turkey raised on Camp David who is pardoned by the president each Thanksgiving while Jake is a wild turkey with survival skills. After meeting each other, they embark on a mission through a time machine to the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Once in the past, they attempt to warn the prehistoric turkeys about their descendants becoming the main course for generations of Thanksgivings to come. The turkeys then try to alter events and sabotage the original Thanksgiving feast between the colonists and native tribes.
Free Birds received mixed reviews from critics but performed moderately well at the box office, earning over $110 million worldwide against a $55 million budget. While not considered a runaway hit, it found an audience over the years, especially around the Thanksgiving holiday. The movie’s premise, mixing talking cartoon turkeys with a time travel plot to subvert Thanksgiving traditions, was largely seen as a funny, family-friendly adventure. The story tapped into themes of chosen family as the two turkeys put aside their differences and worked together. Overall, Free Birds has endured as a seasonal entertainment option for kids and families looking for Thanksgiving-themed films.
Key Facts on Free Birds
- Release date: November 1, 2013
- Production studios: Relativity Media, Reel FX Creative Studios
- Directed by Jimmy Hayward
- Starring Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler, George Takei
- Animated family comedy film
- Runtime of 91 minutes
- Earned $110.4 million at worldwide box office
“Free Bird” is Not Actually in Free Birds
Despite the obvious similarities between the iconic song name “Free Bird” and the movie title Free Birds, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s hit rock ballad does not make an appearance in the soundtrack of the animated film. Free Birds features an original score composed entirely by Dominic Lewis. The music acts as a backdrop to the time traveling turkey antics without ever incorporating “Free Bird” or any classic rock songs into the mix.
Lewis’ score for Free Birds combines orchestral elements with modern synth and pop influences. It aims to match the zany tone of the film while grounding emotional moments. Reviews of the soundtrack praised it as lively and humorous. Ultimately, there is no direct musical connection through shared songs between Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” and Free Birds the movie itself.
Free Birds Soundtrack Details
- Original score by composer Dominic Lewis
- Does not feature any songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- No appearance of the track “Free Bird”
- Upbeat, orchestral score complementing the lighthearted comedy
- Soundtrack released on October 29, 2013 by Relativity Music Group
While it may seem like an obvious choice, the filmmakers opted not to directly reference the famous Lynyrd Skynyrd song in the movie’s soundtrack. This was likely an attempt to establish Free Birds as its own unique story and world for audiences apart from the song’s immense pop culture presence. However, the film’s title still evokes “Free Bird” through their shared names even without a direct musical connection.
The Movie Title Likely References “Free Bird”
Despite no appearance of the actual song, the Free Birds movie title seems to pay homage to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s iconic “Free Bird” hit. Calling the film Free Birds inherently links it to the wildly popular rock ballad given the nearly identical names. Using the phrase “free birds” for the title evokes the song in the minds of audience members familiar with the timeless classic rock staple. Even without directly sampling the song in the soundtrack, the movie overtly taps into the lyrical symbolism and meaning behind “Free Bird” through its title.
By naming the animated comedy Free Birds, the film seeks to associate itself with sentiments like freedom, rebellion, and independence that “Free Bird” represents. The title immediately connects the idea of turkeys breaking free from their traditional Thanksgiving fate with the thematic concepts from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s song. While subtle, this context is built through the shared phrase “free birds” alone. The movie does not have to feature the song to benefit from listeners associating the symbolic idea of “Free Bird” with its lighthearted narrative.
Meaning Behind the Movie Title
- Evokes the song “Free Bird” through identical phrase in the name
- Connects the movie to concepts like freedom and rebellion embodied by the song
- Links turkeys changing their Thanksgiving destiny to the song’s themes
- Allows the film to tap into the cultural significance of “Free Bird” indirectly
By using an iconic song title as the basis for its name, Free Birds implicitly links itself to the legacy and recognition of “Free Bird” without actually featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music. The name choice is likely a strategic decision to leverage the goodwill and familiarity audiences already have with the phrase “free birds” in an entirely new context.
Why Use the Title Free Birds?
Ultimately, the choice to title the film Free Birds even without the song’s inclusion stems from “Free Bird’s” timeless popularity and ability to succinctly convey relevant thematic concepts. As one of the most beloved and well-known rock songs of all time, “Free Bird” has become a cultural phenomenon that transcends just the recording. The phrase itself conjures deeper meaning about freedom and self-determination.
By naming their animated turkey movie Free Birds, the filmmakers latch onto the symbolism and familiarity already associated with “free birds” in the public consciousness due to Lynyrd Skynyrd. The title immediately gives audiences an idea of turkeys yearning for independence and control over their fates. While a more subtle connection than directly featuring “Free Bird” in the soundtrack, the semantic association through the shared phrase comes across clearly. Using such a famous song title helps establish the film’s themes before viewers even start watching.
Benefits of the Movie Title
- Leverages the cultural popularity and recognition of “Free Bird”
- Evokes deeper meaning through phrase “free birds” tied to the song
- Quickly establishes concepts of freedom and rebellion with title alone
- Allows connection to “Free Bird” symbolism without licensing the song
- Capitalizes on audience familiarity with the phrase from the classic rock hit
The title Free Birds proves you don’t always need the exact song to reap the benefits of its legacy. By tapping into the strong cultural associations audiences already have with “free birds” from Lynyrd Skynyrd, the movie establishes thematic concepts and expectations before viewers even start watching. It’s an efficient shorthand signaling freedom and opposing destiny for the turkeys right from the name.
Pop Culture Connections
While Free Birds does not directly feature “Free Bird” in its soundtrack, the thematic and symbolic connections between the song and movie are clear. The phrase “free birds” conjures the spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s timeless track whether included musically or not. Some other examples of implicit “Free Bird” references in pop culture include:
Other “Free Bird” Allusions
- The rock band Phish covering “Free Bird” as an occasional encore song
- Fans yelling “Free Bird!” as a concert joke when ready for encore songs
- The line “Give me a free bird and let it fly away” in the song “Bitter Buffalo” by Dirty Heads
- Psych episode “American Duos” with repeated “Free Bird” requests
- The restaurant chain Freebirds World Burrito referencing the song in its name
These examples showcase the power of “Free Bird” in our cultural lexicon. Even without directly playing the song, merely alluding to its concept or famous title evokes strong associations. Free Birds the movie joins this tradition, tapping into “Free Bird” symbolism through nothing more than a shared name.
Conclusion
In summary, the beloved rock ballad “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd does not actually appear in the soundtrack or score for the animated film Free Birds. However, the movie title seems to act as an homage to the timeless song through their common phrase “free birds.” While not directly featured in the movie itself, the symbolic connotations of freedom and rebellion inherent to “Free Bird” are linked to the film’s lighthearted story of turkeys changing history to get off the Thanksgiving menu. By selecting such an iconic song title as its name, Free Birds inherently associates itself with “Free Bird’s” legacy in listeners’ minds. This shows the power of even just a phrase from classic songs like “Free Bird” to impact pop culture long after their release.