Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Willie Nelson
Acoustic Guitar
Buddy Cannon
Background Vocals
Mickey Raphael
Harmonica
Bobby Terry
Acoustic Guitar
James Mitchell
Electric Guitar
Jim "Moose" Brown
Piano
Fred Eltringham
Drums
Barry Bales
Upright Bass
Melonie Cannon
Background Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Willie Nelson
Songwriter
Buddy Cannon
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Buddy Cannon
Producer
Mark Rothbaum
Executive Producer
Tony Castle
Recording Engineer
Michelle Freetly
Assistant Engineer
Andrew Mendelson
Mastering Engineer
Luke Armentrout
Assistant Engineer
Joey Salit
Assistant Engineer
Adam Battershell
Assistant Engineer
Taylor Chadwick
Assistant Engineer
Sean R. Badum
Assistant Engineer
Lyrics
[Chorus]
How much does it cost to be free?
Free from the heartache still living in me
I've given my heart, my soul, and my mind
How can I pay up and quit doing time?
And why am I always trying to make it all rhyme?
'Cause I'm a songwriter and always will be
But how much does it cost to be free?
[Verse 1]
There are three sides to every story
You got yours, mine, and the truth
But don't worry about it
It will all come out in the wash
Maybe I'll write another hit song
Then we can all three sing along
But one thing is now clear to me
It will cost way too much to be free
[Chorus]
How much does it cost to be free?
Free from the heartache still living in me
I've given my heart, my soul, and my mind
How can I pay up and quit doing time?
Why am I always trying to make it all rhyme?
'Cause I'm a songwriter and always will be
But how much does it cost to be free?
[Bridge]
Ol' Woody said, "How much does all of this cost?
I'll pay for it all, what the heck?
And, oh, by the way, take a check"
[Chorus]
How much does it cost to be free?
Free from the heartache still living in me
I've given my heart, my soul, and my mind
How can I pay up and quit doing time?
And why am I always trying to make it all rhyme?
'Cause I'm a songwriter and always will be
But how much does it cost to be free?
How much does it cost to be free?
Written by: Buddy Cannon, Willie Nelson

