Set me Free from the Adventures in Utopia CD, Video taken from Utopia a Retrospective. I don't own the rights I only want to support my favourite artist. Go buy Todd's Stuff!
I love this song but was sorry to see the 1970s now gone. This hit the top 40 in March, 1980. Today when I hear it, it makes me think how good the music was in the 1980s and 1970s and how fortunate I lived in that era.
The 80s were stumbling so the 70s guys once again stepped in to crank things up but it was two late. The 80s put there eggs in the seagulls basket and Murry head, and the talkers drowned out what was left of the 80s. 70s bands kept the 8os from disapear ling
@@kenperkins7921 80's production is really what ruined a lot of it, triggered drums, no bottom in most of the stuff, hair bands, it was a waste of a decade. 😂
Utopia is often considered a Todd Rundgren project, but all the core members wrote songs and did lead vocals, not just Todd. Intially, they started out as a prog group, but like almost all prog bands, they shifted towards pop/rock.
You left out the bitchin' bridge and killer modulation! Fab pop songwriting! And, proof Kasim should've been singing lead more often.......for somebody!
"Their first and only ever Top 40 hit song." I assume you mean the band Utopia. Todd Rundgren himself had a few top 40 hits, although, surprisingly, not very many.
@@macsnafu Also, Utopia had a top 40 hit in Canada with "One World" in 1983. Both Todd and Utopia are criminally underrated and deserved way more attention.
Utopia finally hit their stride in '80 after Todd experimented with the prog sound and Oops Wrong Planet. Utopia and The Tubes should have taken shit over in the late 70s.
Heard this ditty in the Philippine airwaves in 1982. Never thought Todd Rundgren of Utopia was the voice behind. I even mistook the band as Ethiopia. Anyways... this is closure.
From what I understand, the song was about Kas' struggles with the label (Bearsville) to put out a solo album; by then, Roger Powell had put out AIR POCKET and COSMIC FURNACE, and of course Todd had a bunch of solo albums.
The song was also used in TV commercials reminding us about the 44 American hostages in Iran. They would spend another 10 months over there before being set free.
@@CodeBleu724 And that was the only label Todd was on from 1971 to at least 1983. Except for Foghat not many other lucrative artists were on that label. Jesse Winchester had one moderate hit in 1981. Hard to think who else was on the label that had measurable success.
What can I say Oh yeah hammer nail thing. Great song A real group effort Super arrangement Top notch vocals Arrangement and instrumentatiin a 12 out of 10 And we'll Just listen to it Prolific Lyric Etc etc etc and on and on and on
Forgot all about this video. Wow, is it incongruous with the peppy pop of the tune. I wonder what TR & Co. were thinking when they mated the electric chair footage to Kasim's earnest vocals.
All those images appeared to be pointing out the lack of freedom for many people around the world,and saying set them free. Here we are more than four decades later,and what has changed?
The song is actually about the feud Kasim was having with Bearsville Records not allowing him to make a solo record. So he wanted them to release him(set him free) as an artist. The video obviously uses a different concept.
Discovered that awesome song recently, trough SongPop, 80s one hit wonders playlist. Sounds like Billy Joel meets Styx (and Wings, as it been said before here). Massive choir vocals in the chorus!
6 лет назад+3
One hit wonder is an insult, but hey you found it.
Yeah, I know who Todd is, of course (and good for me, I know some professional musicians who never heard of Kraftwerk or who Bryan Ferry is, not speaking of Rundgren), but never heard of Utopia before, so it's a good start to listen to their catalog. That's why I am playing this thing, so many discoveries...
@ technically, it was Utopia's only top 40 hit in the US. The problem with the one-hit wonder moniker is that often when its correct, all its really speaking about is if an artist hit the zeitgeist or not, not if they had a substantive career (e.g. Jamiroquai only had one US hit, but over a dozen top 10 hits in their native UK...like Utopia, in the US they're just a 1HW). There's so many examples of this it's a circus.
The first 40 seconds of the news video is Iranian TV propaganda footage of their US Embassy takeover - with 52 American hostages, which ocurred on Nov 4, 1979, lasting until January 20, 1981. The USA severed diplomatic relations with Iran in May 1980, which remain severed to this day.
I don't remember the footage at 1:33 at all. This song came out when I was 10 or 11, and I haven't seen the video since then, wow, so ~40 years! I sang this song once at a karaoke night some years ago, and apparently no one in the place knew it. I couldn't believe it.
might be a long shot, but do you happen to have a rip of this DVD? been looking for one everywhere and i haven't been able to buy it for a reasonable price :(
I love this song but was sorry to see the 1970s now gone. This hit the top 40 in March, 1980. Today when I hear it, it makes me think how good the music was in the 1980s and 1970s and how fortunate I lived in that era.
, for a short time.
The 80s were stumbling so the 70s guys once again stepped in to crank things up but it was two late. The 80s put there eggs in the seagulls basket and Murry head, and the talkers drowned out what was left of the 80s. 70s bands kept the 8os from disapear ling
Amen to that!
@@kenperkins7921 I'll agree with that.
@@kenperkins7921 80's production is really what ruined a lot of it, triggered drums, no bottom in most of the stuff, hair bands, it was a waste of a decade. 😂
I taped this off the radio in 1980. I was 11! Who knew I’d grow up to be a huge fan of TR/U and Kas!
Life's a miracle.
Utopia is often considered a Todd Rundgren project, but all the core members wrote songs and did lead vocals, not just Todd. Intially, they started out as a prog group, but like almost all prog bands, they shifted towards pop/rock.
Pop music the way is used to be...good hook, full strong harmonies, god songwriting, tight production...I MISS stuff like THIS!!!!
It's Todd
You left out the bitchin' bridge and killer modulation! Fab pop songwriting! And, proof Kasim should've been singing lead more often.......for somebody!
Todd Rundgren such a talented musician.
I agree, this one of the best of 70's pop. Everything works seamlessly. This is a well crafted song. I kinda wish they did this today.
It's one of the few Utopia songs to feature Kasim Sulton on lead vocals.
I love Sulton’s vocal on The Martyr
Love everything about this song and have for 40 years: the backup singing is excellent.
It's a classic
@ That's the 80s for ya.
Todd is such a super writer and musician
He is the goat!
Peaked as high as No. 27 on the USA Billboard Hot 100 Charts in 1980. Their first and only ever Top 40 hit song.
Great stuff.
it is
"Their first and only ever Top 40 hit song." I assume you mean the band Utopia. Todd Rundgren himself had a few top 40 hits, although, surprisingly, not very many.
@@macsnafu Also, Utopia had a top 40 hit in Canada with "One World" in 1983.
Both Todd and Utopia are criminally underrated and deserved way more attention.
UTOPIA was great!! Every member was talented and could sing!
Yes they were first class.
there were so many good singers in Utopia - love this band.
Me too
Utopia finally hit their stride in '80 after Todd experimented with the prog sound and Oops Wrong Planet. Utopia and The Tubes should have taken shit over in the late 70s.
I saw Todd Rundgren open for the Tubes in the early 80's. To be totally honest, I was there to see Todd work his magic.
UTOPIA ROCKS 🎶❤️🎶 💯
Rocklove, Arty Than ☆♡☆
OH MY GOD I have been looking for this song for decades.
Probably at the wrong place, welcome!
Don't forget Kasim was the Bass player on Bat out of Hell selling 46 million albums. Not bad.
I know
A great album
Heard this ditty in the Philippine airwaves in 1982. Never thought Todd Rundgren of Utopia was the voice behind. I even mistook the band as Ethiopia. Anyways... this is closure.
Well, actually, Kasim Sulton was the voice behind it (and the writer). Todd appears in the choruses.
This song should've been in GTA Vice City / Vice City Stories possibly on Flash FM.
One of the best bands of this world!!!
For Utopia since I was introduced has been the best and is the best it can get.........
From what I understand, the song was about Kas' struggles with the label (Bearsville) to put out a solo album; by then, Roger Powell had put out AIR POCKET and COSMIC FURNACE, and of course Todd had a bunch of solo albums.
The song was also used in TV commercials reminding us about the 44 American hostages in Iran. They would spend another 10 months over there before being set free.
It was the whole band's struggle with Bearsville Records and Albert Grossman.
@@CodeBleu724 And that was the only label Todd was on from 1971 to at least 1983. Except for Foghat not many other lucrative artists were on that label. Jesse Winchester had one moderate hit in 1981. Hard to think who else was on the label that had measurable success.
The good old days of FM Radio...a great classic by Todd Rundgren and his band.
This underrated track peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April of 1980.
Deserved a #1.
@@randallkennedy2066 Every song on that album should have been number 1 as far as I'm concerned.
It is a * perfect * song. Music = so fun! Lyrics apply to EVERY situation in life!
It's a classic
What can I say
Oh yeah hammer nail thing.
Great song
A real group effort
Super arrangement
Top notch vocals
Arrangement and instrumentatiin a 12 out of 10
And we'll
Just listen to it
Prolific Lyric
Etc etc etc and on and on and on
It was the powerpop group Utopia at it's best
I forgot about this song !!! Loved then and love it 2020 !!!!
Glad you found it
Clichématic thank you for posting this beauty !!
@@JacQuie1776 Your welcome
Top forty hit from the spring of 1980-Great song that featured Todd Rundgren.
Well, it really features Kasim since he wrote the song and sang lead vocal on it.
TODD did almost all of his best work in the '70s but I like this one too.
This is great. They are so retro. They remind me of the band Queen and the Cars.
Yes this is the eighties man
Incidentally, Todd Rundgren joined The cars, shortly after Ben Orr died. Now Ric Ocasek is gone too.
The Cars were so good. Lust for Kicks "It's like a misplaced fix!"
Plus Ocasek produced Rock for Light by the Bad Brains.
@@the9-2-5outlawdoestech9 also Kasmin ,the bassist and sang "drive"
Same era
Instant classic from Todd freaking Rundgren!
Well Sulton wrote the initial song
@@zachsmith3 And, obviously, sang on it.
1st album I ever bought. Being from Upper Darby, PA (Todd's hometown) I had no choice ;-)
Wow, I forgot how much I liked this song...I think it was considered 'new wave' back then...great vocals
It's a catchy tune
Love Todd’s vocals in backup
Haven't heard this since I was a 14 year old kid . Awesome tune. Thanks for posting!!!!
Mr. Todd Rundgren. And Utopia. Such lovely music. Thanks.
Glad you like it
How have I never seen this?! Such a terrific pop tune with added corny vintage production,
yes how come?
The ORIGINAL Sulton of Swing!
:-)
I don't really recall this song from its era but it's a real killer. Funny video too, in a sly way.
@@DodgeDartSongs it's a great song about freedom
Fantastic melody - shamefully not even a minor hit over here in the UK , despite decent airplay. Thanks for sharing :-)
Glad you like .
They had the best vocals on this album. All 4 are great singers.
Only got to #23 here in the states and it was their only top 40 single.
@@t40onbass No, it peaked at #27 in the States.
Of all of Todd's great songs, this is probably the least well known, but one of his two best.
Sure, it's a hit.
Kas actually wrote this song...but yeah it's a great track
Not sorry to see the 70's gone but still a great song.
It's absolutely a great song
Kasim was nice as heck to us also. Great guy.
I believe you
Forgot all about this video. Wow, is it incongruous with the peppy pop of the tune. I wonder what TR & Co. were thinking when they mated the electric chair footage to Kasim's earnest vocals.
Set me free?
All those images appeared to be pointing out the lack of freedom for many people around the world,and saying set them free. Here we are more than four decades later,and what has changed?
thrilled to have met Kasim ..twice!!!!!!!!!!!! now to have him on my radio show . Waxx traxx to the Maxx on WUSB.fm
lucky you
Todd was on in December.
Wow!
@@petabulmer7345 update: KASIM has been on my show...twice!!!
@@gwensciora8516 You are so lucky! He is so talented and soooo good looking!
Love this
me too
This is definitely a human rights anthem.
Make it so
The song is actually about the feud Kasim was having with Bearsville Records not allowing him to make a solo record. So he wanted them to release him(set him free) as an artist. The video obviously uses a different concept.
When I first heard this on the radio I swore it was Billy Joel. Should have been HUGE hit.
Yes it was agreat song
Timely. 2019
I can't believe they got away with it.
Timely. 2020
That suit Kasim is donning will be back in style. The hair is back.
in the end everything is retro
Clichématic
Or as Yogi Berra once said, It’s like déjà vu all over again.”
Discovered that awesome song recently, trough SongPop, 80s one hit wonders playlist.
Sounds like Billy Joel meets Styx (and Wings, as it been said before here).
Massive choir vocals in the chorus!
One hit wonder is an insult, but hey you found it.
Yeah, I know who Todd is, of course (and good for me, I know some professional musicians who never heard of Kraftwerk or who Bryan Ferry is, not speaking of Rundgren), but never heard of Utopia before, so it's a good start to listen to their catalog. That's why I am playing this thing, so many discoveries...
@ technically, it was Utopia's only top 40 hit in the US. The problem with the one-hit wonder moniker is that often when its correct, all its really speaking about is if an artist hit the zeitgeist or not, not if they had a substantive career (e.g. Jamiroquai only had one US hit, but over a dozen top 10 hits in their native UK...like Utopia, in the US they're just a 1HW). There's so many examples of this it's a circus.
The first 40 seconds of the news video is Iranian TV propaganda footage of their US Embassy takeover - with 52 American hostages, which ocurred on Nov 4, 1979, lasting until January 20, 1981. The USA severed diplomatic relations with Iran in May 1980, which remain severed to this day.
correct
Kasin! can anyone touch this pop killer vocal?
He's good!
I don't remember the footage at 1:33 at all. This song came out when I was 10 or 11, and I haven't seen the video since then, wow, so ~40 years! I sang this song once at a karaoke night some years ago, and apparently no one in the place knew it. I couldn't believe it.
cool!
This song reminds me of McCartney & Wings.
Mary had a little lamb?
Kasim Sulton is such a cool-sounding name.
It sure fits the bill
Is Thst Kas at the Anchor Desk or TR?....I'm confused
@@anthonym.cardali1875 Kasim. TR gets the extreme full face closeup, as in the thumbnail. Kasim wrote this song.
@@anthonym.cardali1875 Kas
The Shah looks so ghastly sick...
In the eighties everyone looked sick
Fun fact: Bones' parents worked on the photography and merchandise for the band around this time.
Bones the rapper?
AN AWESOME SONG! The video, however, didn't age so well.
It's the eighties
The singer sure is a cute guy.
Kasim Sulton
@ he looks like Mike Gibbons
might be a long shot, but do you happen to have a rip of this DVD? been looking for one everywhere and i haven't been able to buy it for a reasonable price :(
www.discogs.com/sell/release/10768499?ev=rb
There’s a good version of this By Kasim , playing with Band Geek ... check it out on RUclips - Band Geek “ Set me free “
Knew that one , it's in my hey that's nice playlist.ruclips.net/p/PLPeLYrE72tCyx_48R2sFh8A-feFSiv7Tp
👍🖐🇨🇱❤
The first part of the song sounds like Mac Demarco
You mean Mac Demarco sounds like Utopia
Clichématic yea u right nigga
It must be tough sounding like someone who hadn't been born when you sounded like them.....or a miracle, or some such.
Weren't they called "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" at one point?
In the beginning and at the last Reunion tour
Cool song but dated for 1980
I don't know why but I thought this was the Little River band.
accidents happen
Doug this guy looks familiar?
Looks like Todd
Was that TR's own polyester three-piece?
No he hired it
Hmm, I wonder if Iranians are happy with that sympathy with the theocratic Führer!
Where's the Lyrics Dude when you need him?
on google
What year???
1979
That's funny how the song was popular back then. And you listen to it now it looks and sounds corny and hokey.
It still sounds good to me
Don't remember this song and not a fan...
This is painful to listen to. I'm sorry Rundgren fans.
Not for me
who came here from seshbones?
i guess you are the first
They were trying to sound like Styx.
I don't think they needed to