Van Morrison Shares Anti-Lockdown Song ‘Born to Be Free’ – ‘The New Normal is Not Normal’

Earlier this month, Van Morrison made his perspective known: He’s very opposed to government-imposed lockdowns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, so much so that he planned a series of “anti-lockdown protest songs” after penning a “Save Live Music” essay urging a return to full-capacity live concert performances.

Today, the Irish singer/songwriting legend shared the first, “Born to Be Free,” which takes aim at its subject matter in plain terms:

Don’t need the government cramping my style
Give them an inch, they take a mile
Take you in with a phony smile
Wouldn’t you agree
The new normal is not normal
It’s no kind of normal at all
Everyone seems to have amnesia
Just trying to remember the Berlin Wall

There are two more songs planned in this series for release in the coming weeks.

“I’m not telling people what to do or think, the government is doing a great job of that already. It’s about freedom of choice, I believe people should have the right to think for themselves,” said Van Morrison of these three songs.

Meanwhile, furor caused by Van Morrison’s hardline public stance drew the ire of Northern Ireland’s health minister, Robin Swann, who told Rolling Stone, “We expected better from him … Some of what is he saying is actually dangerous. It could encourage people not to take coronavirus seriously. If you see it all as a big conspiracy, then you are less likely to follow the vital public health advice that keeps you and others safe.”

Swan added:

“He’s chosen to attack attempts to protect the old and vulnerable in our society. It’s all bizarre and irresponsible. I only hope no one takes him seriously. He’s no guru, no teacher.”