Independence (song)

"Independence" is a song recorded by Scottish singer and songwriter Lulu. It was released in 1993 as the first single from her eleventh album by the same name (1993), and was by many seen as the singer's comeback, after not releasing new material since 1982. The song became a hit in both Europe and the US, peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart, number 34 on the Eurochart Hot 100 and number three on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. It received remixes by Brothers In Rhythm, C.J. Mackintosh and Tony Humphries, and a music video was also produced to promote the single.

"Independence"
Single by Lulu
from the album Independence
B-side"Remix"
Released1993
Genre
Length
  • 4:16 (Brothers In Rhythm Mix)
  • 4:01 (C J Mackintosh Radio Mix)
Label
  • Dome Records
  • Parlophone
  • SBK Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Cary Baylis
  • Eliot Kennedy
  • Mike Ward
Lulu singles chronology
"I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)"
(1981)		 "Independence"
(1993)		 "Relight My Fire"
(1993)
Music video
"Independence" on YouTube

Critical reception

Jose F. Promis from AllMusic described the song as "housey and anthem-like", adding that it stands as "one of the better dance-pop songs of the decade."[1] Larry Flick from Billboard called it a "delicious pop/house anthem", noting that "she offers an assured vocal amid rousing mixes that will slam during mainstream peak-hour sets."[2] He also stated that Lulu is in "excellent voice on a disco-minded house jam. Anthemic tune has a sing-along chorus that will stick in the heads of club and radio folks upon impact. Could be the first step in Lulu's carefully planned return to pop prominence."[3] John Carmen from Cashbox said it's "one of those semi-liberated kinda anthems that the Brits eat up from their female pop stars."[4] A reviewer from Liverpool Echo wrote, "A surprising comeback, this is Lulu's first new single in ten years and as usual she is keeping up with the trends. The record is typically bouncy, the voice as distinctively husky as ever, and the production today's version of disco."[5]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "In recent years we've seen Sandie Shaw and Dusty Springfield re-emerging in the most unexpected musical contexts. Now another grand lady of '60s pop returns with an uptempo Lisa Stansfield-type of song."[6] Alan Jones from Music Week rated it four out of five, declaring it as a "spirited and soulful comeback" and "excellent".[7] In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue felt that Lulu "delivers a really warm and rich relaxed sound" on "a wonderful track", and "a perfect way to introduce a 60's UK megastar to a discerning 90's audience." They added, "A pop gem, and it rightly gave her a #11 UK hit."[8] Matthew Cole from the RM Dance Update wrote, "The ginger bob returns to her soul roots with a very catchy song, sweetly sung, all boosted by a gutsy CJ Mackintosh mix that will be preferred to the Brothers In Rhythm version. One to shout about — a surefire hit."[9] Another editor, James Hamilton, deemed it an "unhurried classy Lisa Stansfield-ish garage loper".[10] A reviewer from Spin compared the singer to Stansfield, writing that she "assumes the mantle of soul survivor, achieving Stansfield status",[11] while Sunday Life said the singer "steps into Lisa Stansfield-disco territory".[12]

Chart performance

"Independence" was a notable hit for Lulu and by many seen as her comeback in the 90s. The song reached its highest chart position as number three on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In Europe, the single entered the top 20 in the UK, peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart on 30 January 1993, in its second week on the chart, just barely missing the top 10. Having debuted at number 14 the week before, the song then dropped to number 14 and 29 the following weeks, before leaving the UK Top 40. On both the UK Dance Singles Chart and the UK Club Chart, "Independence" however managed to enter the top 10, peaking at number nine. In Ireland, it peaked at number 21, as well as on the European Dance Radio Chart, where it peaked in March 1993.[13] On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached its best chart position as number 34 in February same year.[14]

Track listing
  • 12" single, US
  1. "Independence" (CJ Mackintosh Club Mix) – 7:51
  2. "Independence" (Mackapella Mix) – 6:05
  3. "Independence" (CJ Mackintosh Radio Mix) – 4:00
  4. "Independence" (Brothers In Rhythm Club Mix) – 6:44
  5. "Independence" (Tony Humphries Free Dub Mix) – 9:50
  • CD single, UK
  1. "Independence" (Brothers In Rhythm Mix) – 4:16
  2. "Independence" (CJ Mackintosh Club Mix) – 7:53
  3. "Independence" (Brothers In Rhythm Club Mix) – 6:45
  4. "Independence" (CJ Mackintosh Radio Mix) – 4:01
  5. "Independence" (Mackapella Mix) – 6:05
  • CD maxi, Europe
  1. "Independence" (Brothers In Rhythm Mix)
  2. "Independence" (CJ Mackintosh Club Mix)
  3. "Independence" (Brothers In Rhythm Club Mix)
  • Cassette single, US
  1. "Independence" (Brothers In Rhythm Mix) – 4:12
  2. "Restless Moods" – 4:25
  3. "Independence" (Brothers In Rhythm Mix) – 4:12
  4. "Restless Moods" – 4:25

Charts

References
  1. Promis, Jose F. "Independence - Lulu - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  2. Flick, Larry (12 December 1992). "Dance Trax: Roc & Kato Shaking Up The Deep-House Sound" (PDF). Billboard. p. 26. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  3. Flick, Larry (20 March 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 82. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  4. Carmen, John (22 May 1993). "Pop Albums: Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 15. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  5. Liverpool Echo. 15 January 1993. p. 31.
  6. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 6 February 1993. p. 9. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  7. Jones, Alan (16 January 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 6. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  8. "Review: "Independence" by Lulu (CD, 1993)". Pop Rescue. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  9. Cole, Matthew (16 January 1993). "Hot Vinyl Buzzing" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 7. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  10. Hamilton, James (23 January 1993). "Djdirectory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 6. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  11. Review of Independence. Spin. June 1993. p. 18.
  12. Sunday Life. 24 January 1993. p.35.
  13. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. 20 March 1993. p. 20. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  14. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 13 February 1993. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  15. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 30 January 1993. p. 24. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  16. "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). 23 January 1993. p. 4. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  17. "The RM Club Chart 93" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). 25 December 1993. p. 4. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
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