Sophie Ellis-Bextor is back with another dance floor anthem, "Freedom of the Night," and a music video that references her 2001 hit song "Murder on the Dancefloor," which was given a new life and went viral on social media after its inclusion in the final scene of Emerald Fennell's 2023 film Saltburn starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, and Rosamund Pike.
Longtime fans of "Murder of the Dancefloor" will immediately recognize the parallels, Easter eggs, visual cues, and references between that iconic music video and Ellis-Bextor's new video for "Freedom of the Night."
"I've been working with my video director friend, Sophie Muller, for over 20 years, and our creative process is always the same," Ellis-Bextor tells Out. "We have a phone call and check ideas back and forth. I say things, and she goes, 'Hmm, not sure about that.' And then she might say something, and I go, 'Hmm, that sounds interesting.'"
Ellis-Bextor started the creative process for the "Freedom of the Night" video without having any connection or reference to "Murder on the Dancefloor." But as she started considering the idea, her director and longtime creative partner, Muller, brought up the same suggestion, noting that it could be a nice "celebration of that relationship" between the two songs.
Ellis-Bextor's initial thoughts on referencing the "Murder" video had her torn between playing a dancer or a judge this time around. With time, the perfect idea just struck her: "I said, 'I've got it: I'm gonna be the dance mom, it's my daughter!' The lyrics all work. It's going to work," she says. "Two weeks later, we were on set and filming the video, and it was super exciting. I've never lost my absolute joy that that can happen. I love making videos."
While the lasting success of Ellis-Bextor's discography had some distance from the singer's personal life, she explains that playing a "dance mom" wasn't necessarily a new role for her to step into. "I've been a mom for 20 years," she adds.
"I think I was 22 years old when I recorded the video for 'Murder on the Dancefloor.' I was just starting out," Ellis-Bextor recalls. "Some things have changed, and some things haven't. Lots of my friends are the same. Sophie [Muller,] the director; Lisa [Laudat] did my hair and makeup as well, [as she did in] 'Murder on the Dancefloor.'"
She adds, "The main difference, really, is that I'm now a mother, and I'm 45. So I really enjoyed celebrating and involving my real life [instead of] playing the horrible character of the evil woman who wants to win. I promise I'm not quite that evil."
Harriet Rogers and Sophie Ellis-Bextor in the 'Freedom of the Night' music video.
Universal Music
Fans are understandably excited about this Ellis-Bextor renaissance with a new video that, besides the various references, also included many of the same collaborators behind "Murder on the Dancefloor."
However, the singer clarifies that she "didn't really stop" collaborating with Muller over the years. In May 2023, for instance, the music video for "Lost in the Sunshine" — from her seventh studio album, Hana — was also directed by Muller.
"We went to Rome last year and filmed the video there," Ellis-Bextor says. "'Freedom of the Night' might be our 15th video together. It's a relationship with deep roots."
In 2025, the English singer is set to release a brand-new album and headline her biggest-ever UK tour, with tickets now on sale.
When asked about her upcoming eighth studio album, Ellis-Bextor is happy to talk about it, and highlights the smile on her face. "I wanted to make a confident, celebratory pop record about where I'm at in real life," she tells Out. "I adore pop music; I adore disco."
She continues, "I work with some amazing people, and I just wanted something that was really positive, putting a spring in people's step. I'm also working with some awesome people to make sure that it actually has the finesse, and the level of glamour, that it needs to have."
"I can't do that on my own," Ellis-Bextor says. "It takes a village, with an album. [But] it's a really cool village with a big ole disco ball in the middle of it!"
The Sophie Ellis-Bextor village sounds lovely and groovy, if you ask us.
Harriet Rogers and Sophie Ellis-Bextor in the 'Freedom of the Night' music video.
Universal Music
The resurgence of "Murder on the Dancefloor" in the music charts came from a particularly iconic scene of Barry Keoghan in Saltburn where his character, Oliver Quick, dances naked in the Saltburn estate — walking from room to room at a place that he can now call his own.
We know that "Freedom of the Night" has all kinds of different connections to "Murder on the Dancefloor." But does it have any links to Saltburn itself?
"Actually, yes!" she replies. "Happily, the 'Freedom of the Night' video choreography is all done by Polly Bennett, who choreographed Saltburn."
"I met her not so long before, [but] I was super keen to get her involved. We get along like a house on fire," Ellis-Bextor points out. "She's brilliant, and it was joyful to have a little Saltburn nod in that, too."
You can watch Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Freedom of the Night' music video below — and stay tuned for more updates about her 2025 tour and upcoming studio album!
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