Sexton's mother was 16 years old when she gave birth to him in San Antonio, Texas. When he was four, he and his mother moved to Austin, where clubs like the Armadillo World Headquarters, the Soap Creek Saloon, and more notably the Split Rail and Antone's Blues Club exposed him to popular music.
After a brief period living outside of Austin with his mother, Sexton moved back to Austin at the age of 12. With the help of Joe Ely and other local musicians such as Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sexton developed his talents as a musician.
Sexton was soon regarded as a musical prodigy, and he toured with a variety of musical acts during his early teens before releasing his debut album, Pictures For Pleasure, in 1985. Recorded when he was 16 years old, it yielded the Top 20 hit single, "Beat's So Lonely."
While still in his late teens, Sexton's skills as a guitar player were in great demand, and he became a popular session player, recording with artists like Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Don Henley, and Bob Dylan. He eventually followed up his debut with the self-titled Charlie Sexton, recorded at the age of twenty.
Sexton later contributed songs to various motion picture soundtracks, including True Romance and Air America while making a cameo fronting a bar band in Thelma & Louise. It was around this time, between 1992 and 1994, that Sexton was a member of Austin's Arc Angels. A blues rock band featuring Texas musicians Doyle Bramhall II, Tommy Shannon and Chris "Whipper" Layton, the group recorded one self-titled album, released in 1992 on Geffen Records, before they disbanded.
Sexton soon formed a new group, the Charlie Sexton Sextet, and released Under The Wishing Tree in 1995 on MCA Records. Though sales were considered disappointing, it was met with critical acclaim.
In the meantime, Sexton continued to perform with other artists, appearing on such notable albums as Lucinda Williams's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and Shawn Colvin's Grammy-winning album A Few Small Repairs.
In 1999, Sexton was hired by Bob Dylan to replace Bucky Baxter. Sexton had previously played with Dylan during a pair of Austin, Texas concerts in 1996, and on some demos recorded in the fall of 1983.
Sexton's residency with Dylan brought him great exposure, with many critics singling out the interplay between him and Larry Campbell, who was also a guitarist in Dylan's backing band. Hailed as one of Dylan's best bands, the group recorded a number of studio recordings, including Things Have Changed (from the 1999 film the Wonder Boys) and 2001's critically acclaimed album, Love and Theft. He also performed and appeared with them in 2003's Masked & Anonymous.
In the meantime, Sexton continued working with other artists, producing Double Trouble's Been a Long Time and Lucinda Williams's Essence, both released in 2001. Since leaving Dylan's band, Sexton has produced numerous other works, including Edie Brickell's Volcano (2003), Jon Dee Graham's Great Battle (2004), Shannon McNally's Geronimo (2005), and Los Super Seven's Heard It on the X (2005). In late 2005, Sexton released his latest album, Cruel and Gentle Things.
Dark
Charlie Sexton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scary little moon peeking thru the side door
Fightin' off the world with a two-by-four
Brake handle lever broke, ain't no stoppin'
Skin stretchin' over the kettledrum head
With a big, big rumble that'll rattle the dead
Tell the ol' bastard that she ain't comin' in
Dark is getting darker every day
It kills me when it's any other way
(Oh yeah)
Well the monkey man tellin' you to shut the door
Or he'll let out all the flies from the night before
You like his tie, but his shoes seem all wrong
So you steal a little money from the guy on the floor
Get the little kid to take a trip to the store
Steppin' off the corner, there ain't no more
(Yeah)
Dark is getting darker every day
You sit and wonder what there is to say
It kills me when it's any other
Kills me when it's any other
Kills me when it's any other way
(Good boy)
Slim Jim poppin' up the passenger side
Slidin' off the road while you're kissin' the bride
See you in the headlights, thanks for the ride
Wake up in the weeds in the mornin' sun
Bakin' on the concrete, gettin' well done
Scream at everybody, sayin' leave me alone
(Leave me alone)
Dark is getting darker every day
Sit and wonder what there is to say
It kills me when it's any other
Kills me when it's any other
Kills me when it's any other way
I'm only human
I'm only human
I'm only human
I'm only human
I'm only human
I'm only human
I'm only human
I'm only human
The song "Dark" by Charlie Sexton is a haunting reflection on life's struggles and the feeling of being trapped in a world that is becoming increasingly darker. In the opening verse, the scene is set with the moon peeking through the side door as the singer fights off the world with a two-by-four. The song continues with vivid imagery, with skin stretching over the kettledrum head and a big rumble that rattles the dead. There is a sense of defiance, with the singer telling the "ol' bastard" that she isn't coming in.
The second verse introduces the monkey man, a seemingly shady character, who warns the singer to shut the door or he'll let out all the flies from the night before. The singer steals money and sends the little kid to the store before stepping off the corner, implying that he's running away from something. The song ends with the singer waking up in the weeds in the morning sun, screaming at everybody to leave him alone.
Overall, "Dark" is a powerful song that deals with themes of loneliness, desperation, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that can feel overwhelming and dark. The vivid imagery and haunting melody make it an unforgettable experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Scary little moon peeking thru the side door
The darkness and uncertainties of life are creeping in and distorting reality.
Fightin' off the world with a two-by-four
Struggling to protect oneself from the chaos and turbulence in life.
Brake handle lever broke, ain't no stoppin'
Feeling helpless and unable to control the uncontrollable situations in life.
Skin stretchin' over the kettledrum head
Feeling anxiety and tension build up until it's unbearable.
With a big, big rumble that'll rattle the dead
The intense feelings of anxiety and tension are overwhelming and could affect anyone.
Tell the ol' bastard that she ain't comin' in
Refusing to let negative and destructive thoughts and feelings have any influence over oneself.
Dark is getting darker every day
Feeling like the negativity and chaos in life is intensifying and becoming unbearable.
It kills me when it's any other way
Feeling completely overwhelmed and powerless when things are not going well.
Well the monkey man tellin' you to shut the door
Ignoring the negative thoughts and influences that could hinder one's progress and growth.
Or he'll let out all the flies from the night before
Allowing negativity and destructive thoughts and feelings to take over could wreak havoc in one's life.
You like his tie, but his shoes seem all wrong
Being tempted by superficial things, but realizing that something is not right beyond the surface.
So you steal a little money from the guy on the floor
Engaging in detrimental behaviors to satisfy one's immediate needs and desires without considering the consequences.
Get the little kid to take a trip to the store
Manipulating others, especially those who are vulnerable, to serve one's own selfish needs.
Steppin' off the corner, there ain't no more
Reaching a dead end and realizing that there are no more options or solutions.
Sit and wonder what there is to say
Being at a loss of words and ideas on how to overcome the challenges and difficulties in life.
Slim Jim poppin' up the passenger side
Unexpected and unpleasant surprises that add to the chaos and turbulence in life.
Slidin' off the road while you're kissin' the bride
Experiencing disastrous events that affect one's personal and intimate relationships.
See you in the headlights, thanks for the ride
Realizing that someone or something that once provided comfort and support is no longer there for oneself.
Wake up in the weeds in the mornin' sun
Finding oneself in unexpected and unfavorable situations that are hard to get out of.
Bakin' on the concrete, gettin' well done
Feeling trapped and helpless in a situation that is slowly breaking one down.
Scream at everybody, sayin' leave me alone
Feeling overwhelmed and wanting to push everyone away, even those who could help.
I'm only human
Realizing that despite being vulnerable and prone to mistakes and failures, one could also overcome the challenges and difficulties in life.
Contributed by Keira R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.