Free - as air or melody? (9)
I believe the answer is:
unchained
This clue is a double definition.
'free as air' is the first definition.
'melody?' is the second definition.
(unchained melody by the righteous brothers)
'or' is the link.
(Other definitions for unchained that I've seen before include "- - Melody (1955 hit)" , "Free" , "Not secured" , "like the melody in popular song" , "out of bonds?" .)