There is more than one Outlaws on last.fm:

1. The Outlaws are Southe… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one Outlaws on last.fm:

1. The Outlaws are Southern rock band formed in Tampa, FL.
2. The Outlaws were a house band for Joe Meek's recording studio.

1) The Outlaws are Southern rock band formed in Tampa, FL in 1972 by singers/guitarists Hughie Thomasson and Henry Paul, bassist Frank O'Keefe, and drummer Monte Yoho. With the 1973 addition of guitarist Billy Jones, the lineup was complete, and after a year of intense touring the band became the first act signed to Arista under Clive Davis; the Outlaws' self-titled 1975 album spotlighted their Eagles-influenced harmonies and Allman Brothers-like guitar attack, yielding the Top 40 hit "There Goes Another Love Song."

Harvey Dalton Arnold replaced O'Keefe on bass in time for the recording of Bill Szymczyk-produced Hurry Sundown. Henry Paul left shortly after the completion of that album, replaced by Freddie Salem. Old friend David Dix joined as a second drummer. Dix had played in teen bands with Thomasson. Dix was first heard on the live set Bring It Back Alive and the studio effort Playin' to Win. The lineup shuffles continued when Arnold announced his departure following 1979's In the Eye of the Storm, with bassist Rick Cua recruited for the next year's Ghost Riders in the Sky, which netted a Top 40 entry with its title track, a rendition of the Vaughn Monroe favorite. Yoho left to rejoin Henry Paul soon after, and with the subsequent exit of Jones, only Thomasson remained from the original Outlaws roster — not surprisingly, the group disbanded upon completing 1982's Los Hombres Malo. A year later Thomasson and Paul formed a new Outlaws lineup, with Steve Grisham on guitar. That resulted in1986's Soldiers of Fortune, Paul again quit the band. Grisham also had left and was replaced by a young Chris Anderson who became an integral part of the reunion tour in 2005.

In the early 90's,Thomasson kept on with the help of Chris Hicks on guitar and they with B.B. Borden on drums and Jeff Howell on bass released Hittin The Road and Diablo Canyon. Thomasson was then offered a gig with Lynyrd Skynyrd and took it, remaining with them until the end of 2004.

In early 2005 The Outlaws reunited with original members Thomasson, Henry Paul, Monte Yoho and former Outlaw from the 80's Chris Anderson with newcomers Randy Threet on bass, Dave Robbins on keyboards and also the return of drummer David Dix.

After 2005 ended, Paul and Robbins left. Thomasson, Anderson, Threet, Dix, Yoho and Anderson continued to tour and completed an album, "Once An Outlaw". Before it could be released, Thomasson died at his home in brooksville, Florida of a heart attack on Septemeber 9, 2007.

In early 2008 Henry Paul rejoined, bringing along with him former Henry Paul Band guitarist Billy Crain, and Brothers of the Southland keyboardist Jon Coleman. David Dix was no longer part of the lineup.

In July 2010, Coleman left to join Trace Adkins, and Dave Robbins came back.

The current band has recorded new songs as a "Demo".

The estate of Thomasson took on a legal battle with the current lineup. After a year and a half battle the court ruled in favor of Paul and company continuing to be able to perform as the Outlaws. Mrs.Thomasson appealed, but shortly after dropped the appeal.

The Outlaws hit the scene when Southern Rock was becoming a force to be reckoned with. Sharing the scene with bands like The Allman Brother's Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshal Tucker, and the Charlie Daniel's Band they had big shoes to fill. Blazing 3 guitar leads were a trademark of this "Cowboy-rock" group. Big hits included "Ghost Riders (In the Sky)" and "There goes Another Love Song" as well as the epic "Green Grass and High Tides".

'The Outlaws' (the same band) are also on Last.fm.

2) The Outlaws were a house band for Joe Meek's recording studio. They were originally formed to back Mike Berry for his 1960 single "Set Me Free", and went on to record several singles of their own from '61-'65, mostly instrumental. Among their ranks were notable musicians such as Ritchie Blackmore, Chas Hodges, Mick Underwood, Bobby Graham and Hot Chocolate's Harvey Hinsley.

Freeborn Man
Outlaws Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was born in the Southland
Twenty-some odd years ago
Ran away for the first time honey
When I was four years old

I'm a freeborn man
My home is on my back
I know every inch of highway,

Every foot of back road
Every mile of railroad track.

I got a lady in Cincinnati
A woman in San Anton'
I always love the gal next door
Honey, every place is home

I'm a freeborn man
My home is on my back
I know every inch of highway,
Every foot of back road
Every mile of railroad track.

You may not like the way I look
You may not like my song
You may not like the way I Live
You'll love the way I'm gone

I'm a freeborn man
Home is on my back
I know every inch of highway,
Every foot of back road
Every mile of railroad

Every mile of railroad
Every mile of railroad track

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Outlaw's "Freeborn Man" tells the story of a wandering, free-spirited person who was born and raised in the Southland. He left home at the tender age of four and has been traveling ever since, without any obligation or ties. He is a free being, willing to follow his heart, wanderlust, and his adventurous spirit. The singer of the song is, in essence, a personification of freedom, and he is proud of his nomadic lifestyle, stating that his home is on his back.

The singer's knowledge of the country is extensive, as he has spent a lot of time traveling around it. He knows every inch of the highways, footpaths, and rail tracks, making him a seasoned traveler, and he relishes every moment of it. He professes his love for two women, one in Cincinnati and the other in San Anton', but he loves the woman next door, no matter where he is, and he sees every place he travels to as home.

The lyrics' last section is an assertive statement of individuality, confidence, and contentment: he knows that he may not be the most likeable person, but he is not bothered by that because he is free to be whoever he wants to be. He is a freeborn man, and that is what matters most to him.

Line by Line Meaning

I was born in the Southland
I originated in the southern part of the US.

Twenty-some odd years ago
Around 20 years ago or so.

Ran away for the first time honey
I escaped for the initial time when I was just four years old.

When I was four years old
At the age of four.

I'm a freeborn man
I am a man who is free to do as I please.

My home is on my back
I have no fixed abode and carry my shelter wherever I go.

I know every inch of highway,
I am well-versed with every stretch of the main road.

Every foot of back road
I am familiar with all the small and less-used roads.

Every mile of railroad track.
I am knowledgeable about every railroad route.

I got a lady in Cincinnati
I have a girlfriend in Cincinnati.

A woman in San Anton'
I have a woman in San Antonio.