Michael McDonald’s “Sweet Freedom” first appeared on the 1986 Running Scared soundtrack.Rod Temperton, who became famous for writing songs for Michael Jackson, among others, wrote “Sweet Freedom.” Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal played Chicago cops determined to stop a rising drug lord with unconventional methods. Temperton was given complete control of the movie’s music and his hands gave the cop buddy more movement with sounds that were benchmarks of the ’80s. “Sweet Freedom’s” synthesizers, horn announcements and McDonald’s soulful lead were definitive of the decade. McDonald’s 1985 sophomore album No Lookin’ Back was re-released in 1986 with “Sweet Freedom” which had become one of the biggest songs of the year.Â
Michael McDonald’s ninth solo album Wide Open was relased in 2017. He appeared on Thundercat’s “Show You The Way” with Kenny Loggins also in 2017. In 2022, McDonald is scheduled to perform at Zappos Theater in Las Vegas with his old band the Doobie Brothers.Â
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