Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Jonathan Rado
Guitar
Brandon Flowers
Lead Vocals
Ronnie Vannucci
Drums
Dave Keuning
Guitar
Rob Moose
Strings
Gabriel Cabezas
Cello
Sara Watkins
Fiddle
Joe Pug
Harmonica
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Jonathan Rado
Songwriter
Brandon Flowers
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Shawn Everett
Mixing Engineer
Jonathan Rado
Producer
Matt Breunig
Recording Engineer
Will Maclellan
Recording Engineer
Jed Jones
Recording Engineer
Chris Allgood
Mastering Engineer
Emily Lazar
Mastering Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
All right, well I'm twenty-six so I've lived here for twenty-six years
I married my high school sweetheart
So, we've been mar–we've been together eleven years
I don't really travel much so I've just been here
[Verse 2]
I'm busy John, you'll have to wait
Uh, my little brother he moved into the community and they tried to tape him to a flagpole or a tree
Up at the high school, so if you don't fit their mold
[Verse 3]
This is a nice small community, everybody knows everybody
Good place to live and to raise kids, we'll be here forever
So yeah, it's a good area
[Verse 4]
I was born right here in Zion
God's own son
His Holy Ghost stories and bloodshed
Never scared me none
While they bowed their heads on Sunday
I cut out through hedges and fields
Where the light could place it's hands on my head
In the West hills
[Chorus]
Free in the West hills
Free in the West hills
[Verse 5]
She's got two full-grown children
One still on the vine
And once I got to know him
I loved him like he was mine
Some nights we drive up the mouth of the canyon
On hillbilly heroin pills
We get out and watch the sunset
Peaceful and still and fre
[Chorus]
Free in the West hills
Free in the West hills
[Verse 6]
When the sheriff kicked my door down
I was sleeping in my own bed
And the mess I got caught up in
Rained hard down on my head
[Verse 7]
And they got me for possession
Of them hillbilly heroin pills
Enough to kill the horses that run
Free in the West hills
[Chorus]
They got me for possession of enough to kill
The horses that run
[Chorus]
Free in the West hills
Free in the West hills
[Verse 8]
If this life was meant for proving
I could use more years to live
But fifteen in a guardhouse
That's more than I'm willing to give
[Verse 9]
And if there really is a judgment
When he pulls my chart
He'll reject my actions
But He will know my heart
[Verse 10]
And He'll prepare a place for me
Where happiness instills
And the light puts its loving hands on my head
Free in the West hills
[Bridge]
They got me for possession of enough to kill the horses that run
[Chorus]
Free in the West hills
Free in the West hills
Free, free in the West hills
In the West hills
In the West hills
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Jonathan Rado