Born Free.

[OneFreeMan]

I just wondered if there is any meaning behind this song in relation to Downpour. It played a numbers of times through out the game and in one flashback Officer Sewell sings it after talking to Murphy so I wondered if anyone knows or has a theory about it.

[devil hunter]

Not really sure, I think it was a reminder of Sewell for Murphy, because, like you said, he sings it in one flashback.

[Q. Valintyne]

Daniel Licht used the song in "Dexter." I think it's a nod back to that somehow.

This is my interpretation. It is NOT fact:

I think, in Murphy's case, it represents that he was once "born free," but now he's confined to mental and physical prisons. It's an audible 'taunt.'

[keeps]

to haunt
to euphemia

[TheCrazy]

I think that the concept behind the use of this music is quite simple and complex at the same time. While we can try to find a plausible theory or explanation, I believe that "Born free" has the main goal of ilustrating the whole game concept, Murphy is a convicted man, persuiting his freedom after the bus where he was crashes, however he escapes from prison but gets inside something much worse, his own nightmare. It's like an antonym of what is happening to Murphy.

[Wren]

Because Murphy is an inmate, and probably all the other little sides that have been mentioned.

[Churchy]

I was familiar with the song before playing and when I first heard it, I thought it was genius to include it. It relates to so many of the characters. Obviously Murphy but it could relate to so many in the cast.

I actually got an even more depressing reading from it as well when I first heard it in the Hansel and Gretel section.

If you think about Charlie had his freedom was taken away. (In my reading it was Napier who abused and killed him)

It made me think of this possibility: that none of us are really born free as the world and those in it will soon come and crush our and our "freedom" is either a complete illusion or it only lasts for a finite period. Sometimes we even kill our own freedom.

[Shadedarkan]

I always felt that the song was something George listened and sung to a lot and that he may not even have realized why he did it. After what happened in the shower with Frank it became a taunting torture for him, a constant reminder of what he wouldn't have back and who did it to him. Sort of a subtle way of trying to tell Murphy what he should be remembering the whole time and isn't, like the shower heads that are everywhere in the Otherworlds.

[devil hunter]

It never shows that Sewell feels any remorse for things he does, so I doubt that would be a torture to him, or were you talking about Murphy?

Didn't really understood your post.

[Shadedarkan]

It never shows that Sewell feels any remorse for things he does, so I doubt that would be a torture to him, or were you talking about Murphy?

Didn't really understood your post.

The 'him' in the second sentence is referring to Frank. Sorry about the confusion.

[emma]

don't know exactly the meaning but my analysis said cus of how the way Morphy was like a slave for swelle and he owns him a favor and not let go of him you know that's why he sings born free ...Murphy WAS a free man but now! not any more with swelle he uses him like a doll U_U poor man morph! ...but reminds me of some picture that i looked up about XD!
which is this! XD

[Avianna]

Just wanted to post the lyrics too:

Born free, as free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your heart

Live free and beauty surrounds you
The world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star

Stay free, where no walls divide you
You're free as the roaring tide
So there's no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living

I think this song really influences a lot of design in the game. After the Charlie chase scene in the classroom is when it really hit me. It has the feel of the flowers Murphy runs through. It connects back to the birds he sets free and the references to birds throughout the game. As free as the wind blows.

A ton of characters are trap in this game. Trapped in their feelings of guilt, feelings of loss. And "Born Free" is almost a sad reminder of how simple life was or could have been.

I think George sings it because it makes sense to him since he's a prison guard who taunts the inmates. But it goes farther than that.

As a Theatre Major in college, I was taught that if the playwright mentions a specific song in the play, its for a good reason and -when directing a play- you should research the song to find out why. In same cases songs can almost be a foreshadowing, explain a characters goals or just set the overall plot. I think in this game its the reminder to Murphy of what life was like before Charlie died. Its him wanting to be free of his sorrow.

And in a way, it can almost be related to Anne's story as well.

[Q. Valintyne]

@Avianna;
Your post was beautiful... D':

[kef1466]

Although it was used more than once, everytime I heard the song it was just as creepy as the first time. They really used the song well story-wise. I think it is suppose to represent how Murphy was once free and had his family, and then he lost his son, got in prison, got divorced, and is now imprisoned in Silent Hill. He is repeatedly imprisoned by his own actions and guilt. As for Sewell singing it, well, it was playing on his radio...

[emma]

i don't know why but i really loved it i love this song! when i always get to hear it in the game i feel much comfortable and very happy with it XD! whenever the place it is ! XD
the scared feeling for me is gone when i hear it!XD

[MaVeRick]

Avianna put it very nicely. It's kinda an echo in the Otherworld that Murphy remembers when Sewel was a dick and tormented the inmates with it's melody.

But it also seems to remind of things had and lost. Dreams and expectations crushed by anothers selfish desires, and the relization to the fragility of life and how short time is. The deeper you dive into his game the more you understand the dark story of tragedy, and for me the song began to depress me as it went on.