Shortly after high school, in 1970, with fellow Lubbock musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, he formed The Flatlanders. According to Ely, "Jimmie was like a well of country music. He knew everything about it. And Butch was from the folk world. I was kinda the rock & roll guy, and we almost had a triad. We hit it off and started playing a lot together. That opened up a whole new world I had never known existed." In 1972, the band released their first and— until 2002's Now Again— only album, but have appeared together on each other's albums. Since the band's initial break-up just after their album was cut, the three musicians have followed individual paths.
Ely's own first album, self titled, was released in 1977. The following year, his band played London where he met punk rock group The Clash. Impressed with each other's performances, the two bands would later tour together, including appearances in Ely's hometown of Lubbock, as well as Laredo and Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, across the border from El Paso, Texas.
Since then, a steady stream of albums have followed, most on the MCA label. Ely's live performances have become legendary, and he has released a live album roughly every ten years (the last was Live at Antone's in 2000). He has had a genre-crossing career, performing with Bruce Springsteen, Los Super Seven, David Grissom, and James McMurtry in addition to his early work with The Clash and more recent acoustic tours with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, and Guy Clark.
In the late 1990s, Ely was asked to write songs for Robert Redford's movie The Horse Whisperer, which led to reforming The Flatlanders with Gilmore and Hancock for an appearance on the movie soundtrack. A new album from the trio followed in 2002, with a third in 2004.
In February 2007, Ely released "Happy Songs From Rattlesnake Gulch" on his own label, Rack 'Em Records. A book of Ely's writings was published in early 2007 by the University of Texas Press. Ely also released a second album of old lyrics that he has finally recorded.
Several other reissues of Ely's previous work were due out later in 2007 on Rack 'Em.
I Ain't Been Here Long
Joe Ely Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't sung my song
But light the road and kiss me on my way
About leavin' I ain't strong
But darlin' before long
You'll close your eyes and kiss me home to stay
I rolled down under a fat sun
The miles were taken from me for a while
But the one consolin' thought
That my wheels a spinnin' caught
Was the reasurance of your partin' smile
I ain't been here long
I ain't sung my song
But light the road and kiss me on my way
About leavin' I ain't strong
But darlin' before long
You'll close your eyes and kiss me home to stay
The song "I Ain't Been Here Long" by Joe Ely is a love song about a man who is leaving but promises to come back. The opening line "I ain't been here long, I ain't sung my song" suggests that the singer is new to the situation and hasn't had a chance to share their story. However, despite being a newcomer, the singer pleads for their lover to "light the road and kiss me on my way," indicating a sense of urgency to leave.
In the second verse, the singer seems to find solace and motivation in the thought of their lover waiting for them. The line "the one consolin' thought that my wheels a spinnin' caught was the reasurance of your partin' smile" suggests that the memory of the lover's smile gives the singer comfort as they travel.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer will eventually come back even though they are not quite ready to leave. The line "about leavin' I ain't strong" expresses the idea that leaving is difficult, but the promise that the lover will "close your eyes and kiss me home to stay" reassures that the separation is not permanent.
Overall, "I Ain't Been Here Long" is a bittersweet love song that captures the feelings of separation and reunion that are common in many relationships. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and urgency that is mirrored in the melody and instrumentation of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't been here long
I haven't been around for a while
I ain't sung my song
I haven't expressed my feelings yet
But light the road and kiss me on my way
Guide me and give me your support as I leave
About leavin' I ain't strong
I am not very good at leaving
But darlin' before long
But soon enough
You'll close your eyes and kiss me home to stay
You'll bring me back to where I belong
I rolled down under a fat sun
I drove under a hot sun
Just knowin' you're the one
Knowing that you're the one I love
The miles were taken from me for a while
The distance didn't matter for a moment
But the one consolin' thought
But the one comforting thought
That my wheels a spinnin' caught
That my spinning wheels captured
Was the reasurance of your partin' smile
Was the reassurance of your reassuring smile when saying goodbye
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRUCE GAMBILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
toppertx
This is my favorite period of Joe Ely's career. He was billed as "Country Music's New Wave." I love the punk and new wave inspired look and the rockabilly chords.
spiritbearNY
Just amazing! This is a great video, it's like being there. Back to the future! Thank you!!!
satexguy1
Thanks for posting this. I still remember being shocked when I first heard David G. did the high vocals on Ain't Got No Home at Gruene, right after he took over guitar duties from Jesse.
Barry Hestand
Joe Ely... one of the coolest men to ever walk the planet. Seriously.
Tony Jordan
Great show. I love how they spelled "Shining" wrong on the banner across the front of the stage though!
No1GorgeousLady
Awesome!
Mykkus
Grissom tearing it up on a strat. YEAH!!
Global Village
totally agree
merlinshat007
yes i like this style better than the boring bruce springsteen thing !!
Crackhouts
"SHINNING"? Really?