According to Kris Kristofferson's words made famous by Janis Joplin, “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” It’s a great slogan, but the Founding Fathers might have taken issue with that definition. Clearly, words like “freedom” and “independence” mean different things to different people, and over the years, both have inspired a wide range of songs. As Independence Day rolls through this weekend, we examine five notions of freedom, as expressed by some of music's all-time great philosophers.

1. Bruce Springsteen, “Independence Day"

A recurring theme in the Boss’ songwriting is the desire to not become his father, whom he famously clashed with throughout his youth. On this mournful River track, Springsteen’s narrator realizes he and his old man share at least one thing -- an unwillingness to back down. That epiphany hastens his decision to leave home and be free once and for all. “Well say goodbye, it’s Independence Day,” he sings, one foot already out the door. “All boys must run away come Independence Day.” [Watch here.]

2. George Michael, “Freedom"

By 1990, George Michael had mothballed his embarrassing Wham!-era neon short shorts and established himself as one of the world’s biggest pop stars. Unfortunately, he felt more like a commodity than an artist. Not a good feeling. As this song’s accompanying video demonstrated, the solution was to literally torch the symbols of his success -- most notably his trademark leather jacket. [Watch here.]

3. M.I.A., "Born Free"

“I’ll push my luck today,” M.I.A. declares on 2010's "Born Free." That song solidified her as pop’s premier freedom pusher by infusing her maximalist bangers with lyrics about violence and radical politics. She’s been labeled naïve by some and a terrorist sympathizer by others, and in a story last May for The New York Times Magazine, Lynne Hirschberg called her out on the contradictions between her revolutionary posturing and posh Brentwood lifestyle. “Born Free" anticipates such challenges to her credibility, and dismisses them: “And I don’t wanna talk about money, ‘cause I got it.” Fair enough. [Watch here.]

4. The Velvet Underground, “I’m Set Free"

Lou Reed no sooner celebrated the dissolution of “yesterday’s clouds" than he declares himself “free to find a new illusion." If he doesn’t sound particularly bummed, maybe it’s because he knows that’s how life goes: You're free to choose your own drug-ridden path, no matter how dubious or destructive. [Listen here.]

5. X, "4th of July"

As John Doe smokes a cigarette and thinks about his lady troubles, Mexican kids downstairs shoot off fireworks, celebrating the birthday of a country that hasn’t always welcomed their kind. Doe must find this juxtaposition of freedom hopeful, because by the end, he’s telling the missus he’s sorry and urging her to join him for a walk. [Listen here.]