<P> The song is about music agent / promoter David Geffen , a close friend of Mitchell in the early 1970s , and describes Geffen during a trip the two made to Paris with Robbie and Dominique Robertson . While Geffen is never mentioned by name , Mitchell describes how he works hard creating hits and launching careers but can find some peace while vacationing in Paris . Mitchell sings `` I was a free man in Paris . I felt unfettered and alive . Nobody calling me up for favors . No one 's future to decide . '' </P>
<P> The song is about music agent / promoter David Geffen , a close friend of Mitchell in the early 1970s , and describes Geffen during a trip the two made to Paris with Robbie and Dominique Robertson . While Geffen is never mentioned by name , Mitchell describes how he works hard creating hits and launching careers but can find some peace while vacationing in Paris . Mitchell sings `` I was a free man in Paris . I felt unfettered and alive . Nobody calling me up for favors . No one 's future to decide . '' </P>
who was a free man in paris written about
who was a free man in paris written about
music agent / promoter David Geffen
music agent / promoter David Geffen