There's no joy in my heart,
Only sorrow
And I'm sad
As a man can be
I sit alone in the darkness
Of my lonely room
And this room
Is a prison to me

I look at window
And what to I see
I see a bird
Way up in the tree
I want to be free free
Free - ee - ee - ee
I want to be free
Like the bird in the tree

What good are my eyes,
They can't see you
And my arms,
They can't hold so tight
I have two lips
That are yearning,
But they're no good to me
Cause I know I can't kiss you tonight

I look at window
And what to I see
I see a bird
Way up in the tree
I want to be free free
Free - ee - ee - ee
I want to be free
Like the bird in the tree
I want to be free
like the bird in the tree

RCA EPA-4114, 1957, Jailhouse Rock

Soundtrack Session for MGM: Radio Recorders Jailhouse Rock, April 30, 1957

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote I Want to Be Free for Elvis's 1957 movie Jailhouse Rock. Elvis recorded the tune on April 30, 1957, at Radio Recorders. The movie version was different from the record version. RCA released take # 11.