Review of Free to Be… You and Me (1974) by Timothy S — 02 Jan 2014

A very important keystone of the establishment of my personal values as a youngster, Free To Be... You and Me still resonates for me today. Sesame Street introduced me to multiculturalism, Muppet Babies demonstrated the power of imagination, Schoolhouse Rock still blows me away in terms of music's strength as a learning tool, and Free To Be.

.. You and Me set me very early on my path to my current world view, especially with regards to gender roles and traditional societal expectations largely consisting of bullshit. Highlights include the kind-of-dark Shel Silverstein-penned "Ladies First", "William's Doll" performed by Alan Alda, "It's All Right To Cry" performed by football star Rosy Grier (with a truly badass wah-wah guitar solo), and the hilarious and memorable newborn puppet sketches featuring Mel Brooks and "Free To Be.

.." mastermind Marlo Thomas. I dig the theme song by The New Seekers and enjoy the (somewhat cheesily) animated telling of the story of Atalanta. Awkward Jackson lifestyle foreshadowing aside, Michael Jackson's and Roberta Flack's "When I Grow Up" is a charming, catchy tune.

It stands today as an ode to taking pride in one's individuality and identity, not bowing to society's expectations about gender and class, tolerating those who are different, and enlightening those who perpetuate bigotry, sexism, and other forms of insularity.

I will always hold it in high esteem.