Gala is back with her new 2024 recording of "Freed From Desire" Diplo is along for the ride!

Sunday 27th October 2024

Release date: Out now Label: B1 / Ministry Of Sound

Today - Friday 25th October - Gala releases a new recording of her iconic 1996 anthem ‘Freed From Desire’ alongside a remix by DJ and producer Diplo. Both tracks are out now via Ministry of Sound/B1 Recordings and are available to listen to below.

Speaking now about ‘Freed From Desire’ and her re-recording of the single, Gala said:

“‘Freed From Desire’ is a ‘fight the power’ song that embodies my spirit. I wrote it drawing on a Buddhist concept that challenges the constant craving for more and encourages us to value our principles and our own freedom instead. I had a gut feeling that "Freed From Desire" could resonate with people. Over the years, I put a lot of myself into keeping that song alive and relevant. I love that the song's resurgence was driven not by a commercial operation but by people singing it at sports stadiums, students’ protests, LGBTQ+ gatherings, and DJs around the world playing it.

This re-release is not just about trying to reclaim my rights but also about renewing the song’s spirit for a new generation. I feel more connected to the song’s core philosophy than ever before in today’s world where the pursuit of material desires is questioned by new generations. The first remix is from Diplo, a DJ producer I’ve wanted to collaborate with since I heard the track : “Get Free”  which he co-produced under: Major Lazer. We have more remixes planned from a diverse range of producers which I can’t wait to share with you.”

Speaking about his ‘Freed From Desire’ re-mix, Diplo said:

“Gala's original version is so iconic so it's an honour to have been able to put my spin on this record officially. I've been playing this edit in my sets since last year and it's always a crowd favourite!”

With her re-recording of the seminal single, Gala regains control. Having never owned the original rights to her own song, Gala saw little financial success from what has become one of the biggest dance tracks of the 90s. However, now, Gala looks to correct previous wrongs in the contracts surrounding Freed From Desire.

Since its release in 1996, ‘Freed From Desire’ has become a global anthem that transcends music with its cultural impact across football and other sports, as well as becoming a protest song within the LGTBQ+ community, for women’s rights, and for students. Its prevalence within football dates back to its co option in 2016 by Wigan Athletic fans as the now infamous ‘Will Grigg’s On Fire’, but has since spread across international and club football across Europe. It is regularly used by FIFA and UEFA as goal celebration music, multiple clubs -  including Manchester City, AC Milan, Newcastle United, and Napoli - have adopted the song, and in France the song has become the nation’s sport anthem, with French rugby using the track for almost three decades. It is arguably the most famous and well known sporting song of all time, and it has become a unifying sensation across the world, right through 2024 where it was the undisputed anthem of the Euros before being played across the Paris Olympics and even performed live by Gala at the Women’s Football finals.

The original track has amassed close to half a billion streams on Spotify and it has reached chart positions in multiple European countries, including going No.1 in France and Belgium, No.2 in the UK, Ireland, and Italy, and Top 10 positions in Denmark and Iceland. The single has also gone Diamond in France and x2 Platinum in the UK, Belgium, and Italy, and it is the most successful international release by an Italian artist in history. Its success and cultural significance cannot be overstated.

Posted by Craig Jones