Crowell was born in Houston, Texas to James Walter Crowell and Addie Cauzette Willoughby. A contemporary of Steve Earle and, like Earle, influenced by the (songwriting) greats Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, Crowell played guitar and sang for three years in Emmylou Harris' "Hot Band".
He was married to Rosanne Cash (daughter of famous singer/guitarist Johnny Cash) from 1979 to 1992 and had a great influence on her career, producing most of her albums during that period. They collaborated on a number of duets, including 1988's "It's Such a Small World." Though Crowell and Cash are now divorced, they remain on friendly terms, performing together occasionally. Six years after the breakdown of his marriage to Rosanne he married Claudia Church.
Although best known as a songwriter and alternative country artist, Crowell enjoyed mainstream popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His critically acclaimed album, 1988's Diamonds and Dirt, produced five No. 1 hits during a 17-month span in 1988 and 1989: "It's Such a Small World" (a duet with Cash), "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried," "She's Crazy for Leaving," "After All This Time" and "Above and Beyond." His follow-up album, 1989's "Keys to the Highway," produced two top 5 hits in 1990, which were "Many a Long and Lonesome Highway" and "If Looks Could Kill."
As Crowell's popularity in mainstream country faded, he continued his prolific songwriting. In 2001 he released The Houston Kid on Sugar Hill Records. Many songs on the album were semi-autobiographical, and the album included a duet with Crowell's ex father-in-law Johnny Cash on "I Walk the Line (Revisited)". Initially, Cash was annoyed at Crowell changing the tune to his song, but he came to like the finished product. Crowell followed up this effort with Fate's Right Hand in 2003 and The Outsider in 2005. Crowell considers these three albums his finest work as a solo artist.
2004 saw the release of The Notorious Cherry Bombs, a reunion of The Notorious Cherry Bombs, a group that existed briefly in the 1970s with Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Tony Brown, and others. The future Keith Urban hit "Making Memories of Us" was included on this disc.
In 2005, Crowell served as producer for established Irish singer/songwriter Kieran Goss on the album Blue Sky Sunrise.
Adam's Song
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
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We don't want to feel that empty.
But it's time to face the dawn head on.
Then there's something in the wind when the days go getting shorter
And the nights run cold and clear
Down here.
We'll take each new day to give what we need to do our part
With a lifelong broken heart.
And we never will forget.
It's a privilege to remember.
The sound of days gone past will last.
We can see you in the stars
Come some vivid night in November
And with the last few leaves that fall,
Recal.l
Surely, each new day will give
What we need to do our part
To keep learning how to live
With a lifelong broken heart.
Oh, you beautiful one,
So clearly a gift.
Life had designs of its own
To set you adrift.
So go lightly where you must,
Travel soft upon new wings.
You will never be alone.
Go on.
When we cannot understand,
When we cannot find new meaning,
We'll seek out the ones you loved
And love.
Taking each new day to give
What we need to do our part.
We'll keep learning how to live
With a lifelong broken heart.
We're just learning how to live
With a lifelong broken heart.
The lyrics of Rodney Crowell's song Adam's Song are a poignant tribute to a loved one who has passed away. The song reveals the emotions of grief, sadness, and acceptance. The lines 'We don't want to say goodbye. We don't want to feel that empty. But it's time to face the dawn head on' portrays the reluctance to let go of the person and the realization that it is time to accept their loss.
The following lines speak about the bleakness of life without the loved one- 'Then there's something in the wind when the days go getting shorter, And the nights run cold and clear Down here'. This is followed by the resolve to keep moving forward and making the most of each new day- 'We'll take each new day to give what we need to do our part, While we're learning how to live, With a lifelong broken heart'.
The remaining lyrics reassure the loved one that they will never be forgotten, and their memories will be cherished- 'You will never be alone. Go on. When we cannot understand, When we cannot find new meaning, We'll seek out the ones you loved and love'. The song ends with a resolve to learn how to live with the pain of the loss- 'We'll keep learning how to live, With a lifelong broken heart. We're just learning how to live, With a lifelong broken heart'.
Line by Line Meaning
We don't want to say goodbye.
We are not ready to say farewell.
We don't want to feel that empty.
We don't want to feel the void of loss.
But it's time to face the dawn head on.
It's time to confront the future.
Then there's something in the wind when the days go getting shorter And the nights run cold and clear Down here.
There's a change in the air of winter's arrival.
We'll take each new day to give what we need to do our part While were learning how to live With a lifelong broken heart.
We'll keep moving forward and adjusting to life without you.
And we never will forget. It's a privilege to remember. The sound of days gone past will last. We can see you in the stars Come some vivid night in November And with the last few leaves that fall, Recall.
We'll cherish our memories of you and hold you close in our hearts.
Surely, each new day will give What we need to do our part To keep learning how to live With a lifelong broken heart.
Every new day presents new challenges, but we'll keep persevering through the pain.
Oh, you beautiful one, So clearly a gift. Life had designs of its own To set you adrift.
You were a blessing to us, but life took its own course and separated us.
So go lightly where you must, Travel soft upon new wings. You will never be alone. Go on.
Wherever you may be, we want you to know you'll always have our love and support.
When we cannot understand, When we cannot find new meaning, We'll seek out the ones you loved And love.
When we feel lost and hopeless, we'll turn to those you held dear and find comfort in their love.
Taking each new day to give What we need to do our part. We'll keep learning how to live With a lifelong broken heart. We're just learning how to live With a lifelong broken heart.
We'll keep pushing forward and learning to cope with the pain of losing you, as it's a lifelong process.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RODNEY CROWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind