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.
Slippin' and Slidin'
Justin Townes Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Old enough to know
I'm slipping and slidin', feelin' low
Yeah just sit back in bed
Ashamed for sure, baby
Slipping and sliding, feeling low
I'm losing patience with my only friends
Why do I try my luck?
I should never touch the stuff
But it shouldn't make any difference, ma
As long as I keep up appearances, Lord
I've been working too hard
I need some coming home, baby
Slipping and sliding, and feeling low
Darling I just need a little company
Ain't seen the sunrise since I don't know when, baby
Days getting longer, nights getting cold
Slipping and sliding and feeling low
Well I'm a slipping and sliding, peeking and hiding
Slipping and sliding, feeling low
In the song “Slippin' and Slidin',” Justin Townes Earle addresses the struggle with addiction and the desire for companionship to numb the pain. The first lines “I shoulda learned better, old enough to know, I'm slipping and slidin', feelin' low” highlight the regret of giving in to drug abuse despite being aware of its negative effects. The shame of such behavior is highlighted in “Yeah, just sit back in bed, ashamed for sure, baby, slipping and sliding, feeling low.”
The second verse begins with Earle waking up feeling bad and losing patience with his only friends, possibly due to the effects of the drugs. The line “Why do I try my luck? I should never touch the stuff” suggests that he recognizes the destructive nature of addiction, but is unable to resist its lure. The phrase “But it shouldn't make any difference, ma, as long as I keep up appearances, Lord” could mean that Earle continues to use drugs to maintain a façade of normalcy even though he is struggling internally.
Earle reveals his need for companionship in the chorus, “Darling I just need a little company, ain't seen the sunrise since I don't know when, baby, days getting longer, nights getting cold, slipping and sliding and feeling low.” The constant reference to “slipping and sliding” creates an image of someone who is struggling to keep a grip on reality and is gradually sinking. The line “Well, I'm a slipping and sliding, peeking and hiding, slipping and sliding, feeling low” reinforces the idea of an individual in the throes of addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
I shoulda learned better
I knew the consequences of my actions but still didn't change my ways
Old enough to know
I am mature enough to understand what is right and wrong
I'm slipping and slidin', feelin' low
My life is unraveling, and I feel down and out of control
Yeah just sit back in bed
I am in bed, and I'm not ready to face the world yet
Ashamed for sure, baby
I feel embarrassed about my actions and the state of my life
Slipping and sliding, feeling low
I am in a negative mental state and struggling to hold onto stability
Now I'm waking up feeling bad, babe
I am waking up to the consequences of my choices and feeling regretful
I'm losing patience with my only friends
I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the people I rely on
Why do I try my luck?
I am questioning why I continue to make bad decisions
I should never touch the stuff
I know that drugs or alcohol are harmful, but I continue to use them
But it shouldn't make any difference, ma
I tell myself that my substance use doesn't matter, but deep down, I know it does
As long as I keep up appearances, Lord
I am more concerned with how other people perceive me than my own well-being
I've been working too hard
I have been putting in excessive effort, which is taking a toll on my mental state
I need some coming home, baby
I am craving comfort and familiarity
Darling I just need a little company
I am feeling lonely and isolated
Ain't seen the sunrise since I don't know when, baby
I have been staying up late and am not taking care of my physical or mental health
Days getting longer, nights getting cold
Things are becoming more difficult, and I feel increasingly alone
Well I'm a slipping and sliding, peeking and hiding
I am struggling to keep up a facade and am slipping into negative behavior
Slipping and sliding, feeling low
I am once again mentioning my negative mental state and the lack of stability in my life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Justin Townes Earle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Raiderhays37
Not even gonna lie... I'd never heard of this guy until the internet splashed all over the place that he died. Have listened to a few of his songs now and will probably put him on my spotify rotation. Very talented and very soulful. Sorry I missed the bus on this kid. RIP young man.
@katkennedy9194
One of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.
@meagain4501
Every album was 100% gold. My fave solo artist by miles
@kingkrow3510
He'll making you question what genre to classify him as alot but its great every time there's tons of him performing online
@dionst.michael5818
He’s been on my radar for a long time but confess it wasn’t until about 2 yrs before he passed that I began to follow him in earnest and I certainly regret it now too especially because I actually KNEW about him already Just ONLY in name and appearance. Amazing young man. I always found his passion and intensity fascinating. Such a cool cat. And genuinely interesting.
@CRoo-zu5ij
You missed out again I’m sure….too bad your life has been spoon fed corporate crap that you think this comment means ANYTHING
@noahmcdaniel4920
This is the one that always hits me so damn hard. Often fight bittersweet flashbacks to my worst days when I listen to this one, because it brings me back to moments of catharsis and those bittersweet blues just from hearing this tune and singing along in a car driving around at night depressed. Thank you for sharing your struggles Justin. As someone with manic depression, I feel like he was a kindred soul sharing the rawest expression of the rock bottoms troubled souls like us hit over and over again in life.
RIP brother. Thank you for teaching me the blues are meant to be felt, and sung, not just suffered.
@walterfisher5749
Well said.
@lillianolive784
RIP Justin. Loved your music so much.
@paulpeter2492
Fuck fuck rip🥃🤟