That Long-Ago Year of ’73: The Moment the New King of Glam Rock Demanded His Freedom
Ah, the 1970s. For those of us who remember it well, it was a decade of seismic shifts, not just in fashion—remember those flairs and platform shoes?—but in music, too. It was a time when the earnest singer-songwriter rubbed shoulders with the theatricality of Glam Rock. And right at the heart of that exciting, swirling vortex was the striking figure of David Essex, a man who seemed to have stepped straight off the silver screen and onto the pop charts.
The year was 1973, and Essex was not just an overnight sensation; he was a cultural moment. While his first colossal, self-penned single, “Rock On,” was the international smash that launched him as a global phenomenon, its parent album, also titled “Rock On,” contained an equally compelling track that speaks to the very soul of youthful rebellion and frustration: “Turn Me Loose.” It’s easy to forget that this soulful rocker was not an Essex original, but rather a brilliant cover, first made famous by American teen idol Fabian Forte back in 1959. However, Essex and his producer/arranger, the masterful Jeff Wayne, reinvented it, stripping away the bubblegum pop and giving it a raw, defiant, and thoroughly ’70s edge.
Charting the Surge of an Album Track
Unlike the towering success of “Rock On”—which hit No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 in the UK—“Turn Me Loose” was not released as a standalone single by David Essex at the time, and therefore did not secure its own unique chart position on the UK Official Singles Chart or the Billboard Hot 100. It was an essential pillar of the critically acclaimed “Rock On” album, which itself peaked at a respectable No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and reached No. 32 on the US Billboard 200. For those of us who bought the album—and many did—“Turn Me Loose” was a deep cut, a prized possession that you played repeatedly, feeling its power as a testament to the artist’s versatility beyond the headline track.
The Story and Meaning: A Plea for Space
The original composition by the legendary songwriting team Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman was a straightforward rock-and-roll cry for help from a suffocated lover. It’s a primal, desperate plea to an overbearing partner. The lyrics are simple but powerfully direct, built around the core demand: “Turn me loose, let me go / I can’t take it anymore.”
But when David Essex sang it in 1973, it took on a richer, more complex meaning, perfectly timed for the man and the moment. Essex had just starred in the seminal film That’ll Be the Day, and its sequel Stardust, films that explored the dark, complicated side of rock-and-roll fame. His public persona was a mix of soulful sensitivity and working-class grit, a beautiful young man often trapped by the adulation of his frenzied fans, the ‘Essex-maniacs.’
When he delivered the line, “You’ve got me tied to your apron string / Oh, that’s not right, and that’s not fair / But now you’re going too far with your jealous stares / I said turn me loose,” it wasn’t just about a woman; it was about the heavy collar of fame, the controlling pressures of a demanding industry, and the loss of personal freedom that comes with global success.
The song, buried midway through side one of the “Rock On” LP, served as an autobiographical undercurrent to the entire album’s theme of looking back at the golden era of rock’n’roll with a detached, knowing eye. The raw, almost bluesy rock sound, punctuated by Essex’s distinct vocal croon, made it a defiant moment of musical and personal truth. It was a soulful, slightly desperate shout from a rising star who was already keenly feeling the crushing weight of being adored. The song is a powerful, reflective moment for anyone who remembers feeling trapped—whether by a suffocating relationship, a dead-end job, or the overwhelming expectations of others. It remains one of the most compelling tracks of his early career, an essential link between his acting and his musical identity.