Justin Townes Earle, born January 4, 1982 in Nashville, TN, was an American alt-country singer-songwriter who walked the line between old-time country and modern acoustic Indie music by breathing new life into early country, blues and gospel forms.
His first release, Yuma, in 2007 was a stark and beautiful set of songs written while Earle was fresh out of rehab and is now re-released by Bloodshot Records, who have a further three albums on their catalogue.
The Good Life, Midnight At the Movies (Americana award nominee) and the latest Harlem River Blues show Earle's characteristic charm, wit and rhythm to the forefront.
2009 saw him touring with Old Crow Medicine Show, The Felice Brothers and Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings as a member of The Big Surprise tour and he has been touring solidly through 2010 making fans all along the way. In 2011, he received the Americana Music Award in the Song of the Year category for his "Harlem River Blues," from the album of the same name.
His fourth release "Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now", released in 2012 was met with critical acclaim, it was listed at #37 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 50 albums of 2012, saying "The son of country-rock renegade Steve Earle has grown into a songwriter to rival his dad."
Earle died on August 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 38. His death was announced by his label on social media on August 23. The cause of death was not immediately announced, but Nashville police said they were investigating the death as a probable drug overdose. On December 1, 2020, Earle's family confirmed that he died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl-laced cocaine.
Learning to Cry
Justin Townes Earle Lyrics
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Since she walked out on me
I'm learnin' to cry
Now that there's nobody here to see
For years I've bit my tongue
While she run wild 'bout town, oh
Now she's gone and I miss my
I'm learnin' to cry
Since she walked out on me
I'm learnin' to cry
Now that there's nobody here to see
So I'll get up every day
I'll dress and I'll go to work
I'll smile to cover the pain
And I'll talk my way through the hurt
But at night when I'm alone
I'll come to face my fear
And I'll lie in my bed and I'll hope
That nobody hears
I'm learnin' to cry
Since she walked out on me
I'm learnin' to cry
Now that there's nobody here to see
There's nobody here to see
Justin Townes Earle's song "Learning to Cry" is a poignant portrayal of a man's struggle to come to terms with his emotions after a painful breakup. The lyrics express his newfound vulnerability and willingness to let his emotions show, a departure from his previous self-restraint. The first verse states that he is "learnin' to cry" since "she walked out on me," implying that he never allowed himself to show his pain while they were together. Now that he is alone, he feels free to express himself, even if there's "nobody here to see."
In the second verse, he admits that he has been holding back for years while she was "runnin' wild 'bout town." He misses her now that she's gone, describing her as his "little run-around." He acknowledges that he must continue with his daily routine of getting up, going to work, and smiling through the pain. However, when he's alone at night, he faces his fear and allows himself to cry, hoping that nobody hears.
Overall, the song speaks to the human experience of heartbreak and the vulnerability that comes with it. It's a reminder that it's okay to cry and show emotion, even when there's nobody around to witness it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm learnin' to cry
The singer is discovering his ability to express his emotions through tears.
Since she walked out on me
The catalyst for the singer's newfound openness is his recent break-up.
Now that there's nobody here to see
The singer is able to allow himself to be vulnerable and emotional since there is no one around to judge or witness his tears.
For years I've bit my tongue
The artist has been keeping his feelings hidden and suppressing his emotions for a long time.
While she run wild 'bout town, oh
The artist's former partner was engaging in reckless behavior while he kept his reactions to it to himself.
Now she's gone and I miss my
The singer is regretful of not expressing himself fully in the relationship and of not cherishing the time he had with his partner.
Little run-around
The singer affectionately refers to his partner as his 'little run-around', suggesting a lightheartedness and playfulness in their past relationship.
So I'll get up every day
Despite his heartache, the artist is determined to continue with his routine and responsibilities.
I'll dress and I'll go to work
The artist will maintain his outward appearance of functionality and normalcy.
I'll smile to cover the pain
The artist will use a facade of happiness to mask his true feelings of hurt and loss.
And I'll talk my way through the hurt
The singer will engage in conversation to distract himself from his emotional pain.
But at night when I'm alone
When the distractions and responsibilities of the day are gone, the artist's emotional vulnerability surfaces.
I'll come to face my fear
The singer confronts his fear of expressing his emotions and the judgment that may come with that.
And I'll lie in my bed and I'll hope
The singer is seeking comfort, and possibly healing, in sleep and rest.
That nobody hears
The singer is still fearful of being judged or pitied for his emotional openness.
There's nobody here to see
The artist is able to truly express himself because he is alone, but he is still fearful of being seen or heard by others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Justin Townes Earle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind