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This article is about the Jon & Vangelis song. For the Pennsylvania motto, see Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For the Homeland episode, see State of Independence (Homeland).

“State of Independence” is a song written by Jon Anderson and Vangelis. The track was released as a single but did not chart. It subsequently became better known when Donna Summer released a cover version a year later in 1982. That became a top-20 UK hit single (and repeated the same feat 14 years later when issued as a remixed version in 1996) and a number one hit in the Netherlands. In 1992, a third version of the song — retitled “Spiritual High (State of Independence)” — was recorded and released as a single by Moodswings, with vocals by the Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde.

Original Jon and Vangelis version (and subsequent Anderson re-recordings)

Originally recorded in Paris by Jon and Vangelis for their 1981 album The Friends of Mr Cairo, the lyrics were improvised for the music which was conceived as spiritual and uplifting in a Byzantine style. Anderson described his state of flow:

The rhythm started and I began clapping my hands and I got into this really “up” sort of feeling … I was singing all different kinds of things, which kept coming and hitting me, singing strange ideas that I wouldn’t have even thought of. … that went on for maybe 20 minutes. … It was a joyful experience … it’s called the ‘State of Independence’ because to be independent is to be totally free and to be totally immersed in something around you and that’s really what the song became.

— Jon Anderson, Vangelis: The Unknown Man (1994), page 59

Jon & Vangelis released “State of Independence” as a single in 1981, with “Beside” as the B-side. It was re-released in 1984 and this version peaked at No. 67 on the UK Singles Chart.[2] Anderson recorded a new version of the song for his solo album Change We Must (1994) and a live acoustic version can be found on his Live from La La Land (2007). More recently, Anderson also performed the song live with the AndersonPonty Band.

Personnel

Donna Summer version

Original cover version (and reissue)

American singer Donna Summer covered “State of Independence” on her tenth studio album Donna Summer (1982). Her version was produced by Quincy Jones. It was released as the second single from the album on 29 September 1982. Summer’s version just missed the US top 40, peaking at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] It did much better in Europe, including a one-week stay at number one on the Dutch Top 40, making it Summer’s second chart-topper in the Netherlands. The single was reissued in Europe in 1990 following the release of the compilation album The Best of Donna Summer.

Summer’s version is notable for its all-star choir which included Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Michael Jackson, Brenda Russell, Christopher Cross, Dyan Cannon, James Ingram, Kenny Loggins, Peggy Lipton, Patti Austin, Michael McDonald, and Stevie Wonder.[5]

1996 remixes

Following the dance chart success of the 1995 remix of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love“, PolyGram issued a remixed version of Summer’s recording of “State of Independence”. The single was released both on 12″ vinyl and CD on PolyGram’s sub-label Manifesto. It peaked at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart in 1996, going one place higher than the original release, with the dance mixes peaking at No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.[citation needed]

Charts

Moodswings version

In 1992, the duo Moodswings released their album Moodfood, which scored a hit single with their cover version of the song, retitled as “Spiritual High (State of Independence) Pt. II” with vocals by Chrissie Hynde and samples from Martin Luther King Jr.‘s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. The single peaked at No. 47 on the UK Singles Chart.[33] Their version was later played during the closing credits on the soundtrack of Single White Female and it was also included on the Pretenders‘ Greatest Hits in 2000.

References

  1. ^ “Music Week” (PDF). p. 28.
  2. ^ “The Official Charts Company – Jon And Vangelis – State Of Independence”. Official Charts. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  3. ^ “45cat – Donna Summer – State of Independence / Love Is Just a Breath Away”. 45cat.com. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  4. ^ Melchior, Al (27 September 2024). “The Story Behind Donna Summer’s Cover of “State of Independence” and Its Impressive Legacy”. American Songwriter. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  5. ^ “State of Independence by Donna Summer”. Songfacts. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 243. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. 11 November 1982.
  8. ^ “The Irish Charts – Search Results – State of Independence“. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  9. ^ “Nederlandse Top 40 – week 44, 1982” (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  10. ^ “Donna Summer – State of Independence” (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  11. ^ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  12. ^ “Official Singles Chart on 14/11/1982 – Top 100“. Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  13. ^ “Donna Summer Chart History (Hot 100)“. Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  14. ^ “Donna Summer Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)“. Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  15. ^ “Cash Box Top 100 Singles”. Cash Box. Vol. XLIV, no. 25. New York, NY. 13 November 1982. p. 4. ISSN 0008-7289.
  16. ^ “Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles”. Cash Box. Vol. XLIV, no. 27. New York, NY. 27 November 1982. p. 24. ISSN 0008-7289.
  17. ^ “Black Radio National Airplay/30”. Radio & Records. No. 457. Los Angeles, CA: Harte-Hanks Communications. 5 November 1982. p. 50. ISSN 0277-4860.
  18. ^ “Donna Summer – State of Independence (New Bass Mix)” (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  19. ^ “Official Singles Chart on 18/11/1990 – Top 100“. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  20. ^ “Playlist Chart” (PDF). Music Week. December 8, 1990. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  21. ^ “European Hot 100” (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 15. May 13, 1996. p. 23. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  22. ^ “Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 31/3/1996 – Top 100“. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  23. ^ “Official Singles Chart on 31/3/1996 – Top 100“. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  24. ^ “Official Dance Singles Chart on 31/3/1996 – Top 40“. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  25. ^ “Top 50 Airplay Hits” (PDF). Music Week. April 13, 1996. p. 15. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  26. ^ “The RM Club Chart” (PDF). Record Mirror. Music Week. March 9, 1996. p. 6. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  27. ^ “On a Pop Tip Club Chart” (PDF). Record Mirror. Music Week. March 9, 1996. p. 8. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  28. ^ “Official Dance Singles Chart on 20/5/2012 – Top 40“. Official Charts Company.
  29. ^ “Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1982”.
  30. ^ “Jaaroverzichten – Single 1982” (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  31. ^ “The RM Club Chart of the Year 96″ (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). January 11, 1997. p. 8. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  32. ^ “On a Pop Tip Club Chart 96” (PDF). Record Mirror. Music Week. January 11, 1997. p. 5. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  33. ^ “The Official Charts Company – Moodswings Featuring Chrissie Hynde – Spiritual High”. Official Charts. Retrieved March 18, 2009.