I'll Never Be Free

"I'll Never Be Free"
SinglebyKay StarrandTennessee Ernie Ford
A-side	"Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own"
Released	July 1950
Genre	Country
Length	2:38
Label	Capitol Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Bennie Benjamin,George Weiss
Kay Starrsingles chronology
"Bonaparte's Retreat" (1950) "I'll Never Be Free" (1950) "Mama Goes Where Papa Goes (Or Papa Don't Go Out Tonight)" (1950)
Tennessee Ernie Fordsingles chronology
"The Cry of the Wild Goose" (1950) "I'll Never Be Free" (1950) "Cincinnati Dancing Pig" (1950)

"I'll Never Be Free"is a song written byBennie BenjaminandGeorge Weissand performed byKay StarrandTennessee Ernie Ford.It reached #2 on theU.S. country chartand #3 on theU.S. pop chartin 1950.

Other charting versions

• Louis JordanandElla Fitzgeraldreleased a version of the song which reached #7 on theU.S. R&B chartin 1950.
• Annie LaurieandPaul Gayten and His Orchestrareleased a version of the song which reached #4 on the U.S. R&B chart in 1950.
• Dinah Washingtonreleased a version of the song which reached #3 on the U.S. R&B chart in 1950.
• Lucky Millinder and His Orchestrareleased a version of the song which reached #8 on the U.S. R&B chart in 1951.
• LaVern BakerandJimmy Ricksreleased a version of the song which reached #103 on the U.S. pop chart in 1961.
• Starr re-released a version of the song as a solo sing which reached #94 on the U.S. pop chart in 1961.
• Johnny and Jonie Mosbyreleased a version of the song as a single in 1969 which #26 on the U.S. country chart.
• Jim Ed BrownandHelen Corneliusreleased a version of the song as a single in 1978 which reached #11 on the U.S. country chart.

Other versions

• The Skylarksreleased a version of the song as a single in 1950, but it did not chart.
• Janis Martinreleased a version of the song as theB-sideto her 1957 single "Love and Kisses".
• Johnnie Rayreleased a version of the song on his 1957EPThe Big Beat.
• Lillie Bryantreleased a version of the song as the B-side to her 1959 single "Smoky Gray Eyes (Stroll Smoky)".
• Chris Connorreleased a version of the song on her 1959 EPPop Goes Chris in Witchcraft.
• Joanie Sommersreleased a version of the song as the B-side to her 1960 single "One Boy".
• Roy Hamiltonreleased a version of the song as a single in 1961, but it did not chart.
• Jimmy Normanreleased a version of the song as a single in 1961, but it did not chart.
• Kelly Gordonreleased a version of the song as the B-side to his 1963 single "A Phonograph Record".
• Pat Booneand Shirley Boone released a version of the song as the B-side to their 1964 single "Side by Side".
• Mel Carterreleased a version of the song as the B-side to his 1964 single "The Richest Man Alive".
• Bill Pursellreleased a version of the song as a single in 1964, but it did not chart.
• Van Morrisonreleased a duet version of the song (with daughterShana Morrison) in 1995 as part of theDays Like Thisalbum.