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.
Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Avoid adopting other people's views
Know what you can and can't control, don't let envy take a toll
It's nothing more than weather passing through
When your back's against the wall, when you're headed for a fall
The tables set to make a run Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
Through action wisdom is revealed and too much talk is like a shield
When focused on the truth at hand, the critics try to make you bland
But they don't understand what they don't know
Make your own cracks in the sky, grit your teeth and learn to fly
And when the right thing has been done, you'll be Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
Forgive the ones who meant to harm you, don't let superstition charm you
Conform your wishes only to what's real
Your reputation doesn't matter, let idle gossip chirp and chatter
No one else can tell you how you feel
In between the masks you wear, wash your face and comb your hair
You're not hurting anyone Dancin' Circles Round the Sun
Your mind cries out to God alone, please send me someone I can own
Your soul says son you're walking on thin ice
Possession in the broadest sense, compounded by coincidence
When all it takes is one roll of the dice
In between the good and bad, think of all the fun you had
It's the same for everyone Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
Evolution comes in fits, it stops and starts, it coughs and spits
Picasso and Mile Davis come to mind
True artists, bold unbridled passion, no concern for fad or fashion
Sexy beasts in love with woman kind
Bend the rules until it breaks, stand your ground until it shakes
That's the way to get things done Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
Hey, sod convention let's have fun Dancin' Circles Round the Sun
The lyrics of Rodney Crowell's song Dancin' Circles Round The Sun contain deep themes of personal growth, self-acceptance, and perseverance. The songwriter advises the listener to disregard what is not important, concentrate on what they can control, and avoid adopting other people's opinions. He also encourages them to remain optimistic, to find wisdom through action, to break the rules, and to make their own cracks in the sky. The chorus emphasizes the message that, despite hardships and obstacles, one can still overcome and be "Dancin' Circles Round The Sun."
In the first verse, Crowell highlights the importance of maintaining control over one's emotions and avoiding envy. He advises listeners to remember that difficult times will pass, and it is crucial to realize what can and cannot be controlled. Similarly, in the second verse, the songwriter nudges listeners to focus on the truth at hand and not let critics influence their creativity. He encourages listeners to find their own paths, make their own cracks in the sky and fly high. The bridge suggests the importance of forgiveness, avoiding superstitions, and not conforming to society's expectations. Finally, the last verse highlights the importance of not obsessing over possessions, questioning the conventions, and embracing life's fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Disregard what don't concern you, don't let disappointment turn you
Ignore the things that are not important to you and do not let setbacks affect you.
Avoid adopting other people's views
Do not let other people's opinions influence your own beliefs.
Know what you can and can't control, don't let envy take a toll
Understand what is within your power and what is not, and don't let jealousy negatively affect you.
It's nothing more than weather passing through
The challenges you face are temporary and will pass, like the weather.
When your back's against the wall, when you're headed for a fall
When you are facing a difficult situation or are about to fail,
The tables set to make a run Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
there is an opportunity to turn things around and succeed.
Through action wisdom is revealed and too much talk is like a shield
You gain knowledge through taking action, and talking too much can prevent you from learning.
In silence lies the keys to how we grow
Silence can grant us the insights and wisdom we need to develop and mature.
When focused on the truth at hand, the critics try to make you bland
When you focus on the truth, critics will try to water down your uniqueness.
But they don't understand what they don't know
Critics cannot fully comprehend what they have not experienced or do not understand.
Make your own cracks in the sky, grit your teeth and learn to fly
Create your own opportunities, face your fears, and learn to soar.
And when the right thing has been done, you'll be Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
When you have achieved what you set out to do, you will feel fulfilled and unstoppable.
Forgive the ones who meant to harm you, don't let superstition charm you
Pardon those who intended to hurt you and do not let superstitious beliefs control you.
Conform your wishes only to what's real
Base your desires on facts and reality rather than illusions or delusions.
Your reputation doesn't matter, let idle gossip chirp and chatter
Your social status is not important, ignore idle talk and rumors.
No one else can tell you how you feel
Only you can truly know how you feel inside.
In between the masks you wear, wash your face and comb your hair
In your private moments, take care of yourself and be true to who you are.
You're not hurting anyone Dancin' Circles Round the Sun
By being true to yourself and taking care of yourself, you are not harming anyone.
Your mind cries out to God alone, please send me someone I can own
While your mind may desire possession and control over someone, your soul knows it is not right.
Your soul says son you're walking on thin ice
Your soul warns you that you are treading dangerously and taking risks.
Possession in the broadest sense, compounded by coincidence
Ownership in any form, combined with coincidences, can lead to unexpected consequences.
When all it takes is one roll of the dice
When all it takes is one chance for your destiny to change.
In between the good and bad, think of all the fun you had
In the midst of life's ups and downs, remember the good times you've had.
It's the same for everyone Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
Whatever your struggles or joys, everyone is experiencing the same journey of life.
Evolution comes in fits, it stops and starts, it coughs and spits
Personal growth can be a bumpy and unpredictable ride.
Picasso and Miles Davis come to mind
Creatives, like Picasso and Miles Davis, are an example of people who took risks and followed their passions.
True artists, bold unbridled passion, no concern for fad or fashion
Real artists pursue their craft with fervor and disregard passing trends or popularity.
Sexy beasts in love with woman kind
They are also known for being highly attractive and drawn to the beauty of women.
Bend the rules until it breaks, stand your ground until it shakes
Challenge boundaries until they fall, and withstand the pressure until change happens.
That's the way to get things done Dancin' Circles Round The Sun
By being brave, defying convention, and persevering through setbacks, you can accomplish anything.
Hey, sod convention let's have fun Dancin' Circles Round the Sun
Forget about the usual ways of doing things, let's enjoy ourselves and live life to the fullest.
Writer(s): Crowell Rodney J
Contributed by Nicholas T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.