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.
Forty Miles From Nowhere
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All hell burst wide open and just like that was gone
Your little lap dog chased a fox tailed squirrel cross the main road through the wood
Some ninja on a dirt bike nearly ran him down for good
Right about now it gets quiet around here, what with nightfall in the wings
The floorboards creak and faucets leak, but it's the emptiness that sings
The wind grows chill and then lies still
Forty miles from nowhere
November sky's a diamond-studded dome
A hundred billion points of light to guide my way back home
When the moon is hanging fat and full and all those jangly stars recede
A fold out couch on a midnight porch is where my footsteps lead
You always said I made my bed
Forty miles from nowhere
At the bottom of the world
Friends don't call like they used to for reasons not unkind
If there's anything that we can do rings hollow down a telephone line
There's a cedar grove in back of the house maybe halfway down the hill
A place to go and just lay low when there's precious time to fill
A few gravestones, a pre-civil war fence and the random arrowhead
Where the beehive swarmed three summers ago too wet the old men said
So it's me your, little lap dog and that old brindle cat trying to keep this place in line
And heading into town these days is the last thing on my mind
I weep for you
It's what I do
Forty miles from nowhere
At the bottom of the world
In "Forty Miles From Nowhere," Rodney Crowell paints a vivid picture of a place far removed from the bustling world. The presence of rain and passing clouds at dawn sets the tone for a moment of transience and fleeting beauty. The mention of a little lap dog chasing a fox tailed squirrel emphasizes the vulnerability and unpredictability of life. The encounter with a reckless dirt bike rider serves as a metaphor for the potential dangers that can unexpectedly disrupt the peace.
As the day progresses and darkness falls, the surroundings become quiet, amplifying the sense of emptiness. The lingering creaking floorboards and leaky faucets highlight the solitude that envelops the singer. It is in this stillness that the emptiness itself seems to sing, suggesting a deeper emotional resonance with isolation. The wind, growing chill and then still, evokes a desolate atmosphere, reinforcing the feeling of being forty miles away from civilization, at the bottom of the world.
The lyrics intertwine the external landscape with the internal journey of the singer. The November sky, described as a diamond-studded dome, represents the vastness of possibilities for finding one's way back home. The moon and stars serve as beacons of hope, offering guidance and direction. The imagery of a fold out couch on a midnight porch symbolizes a place of solace where the singer's footsteps lead. It is a place of comfort and respite amidst the challenges faced in the outside world.
The mention of friends not reaching out as they used to suggests a sense of isolation and disconnection. The telephone line, while providing a means of communication, echoes with empty and hollow sentiments. The cedar grove behind the house emerges as a sanctuary, offering refuge during moments of contemplation. The presence of gravestones, a pre-civil war fence, and a random arrowhead implies a connection to history and the passage of time. The singer finds solace in maintaining this place, along with their faithful companions, the lap dog and the old brindle cat, who provide company and purpose.
The closing lines, "I weep for you, It's what I do," reveal a deeper layer of emotion. The emptiness and solitude evoke a profound sadness and longing. The phrase "forty miles from nowhere, at the bottom of the world," acts as a metaphor for feeling detached and isolated from society. It is a place where the singer is left to confront their own emotions and find a way to navigate the challenges that life presents. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a sense of introspection, resilience, and the search for meaning amidst the vastness of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
It rained today, the clouds rolled up at dawn
Rain fell from the sky as the clouds gathered in the early morning
All hell burst wide open and just like that was gone
There was sudden chaos and then it disappeared just as quickly
Your little lap dog chased a fox tailed squirrel cross the main road through the wood
Your small pet dog ran after a squirrel with a bushy tail across the main road in the forest
Some ninja on a dirt bike nearly ran him down for good
A skilled motorcyclist on a dirt bike almost accidently hit him
Right about now it gets quiet around here, what with nightfall in the wings
At this time, everything becomes calm as nightfall approaches
The floorboards creak and faucets leak, but it's the emptiness that sings
The sound of creaking floorboards and leaking faucets fills the air, highlighting the feeling of emptiness
The wind grows chill and then lies still
The wind becomes cold and then becomes completely calm
Forty miles from nowhere
Located in a remote area, far from any significant place
At the bottom of the world
In a secluded and desolate location
November sky's a diamond-studded dome
The sky in November is filled with stars, resembling a dome adorned with diamonds
A hundred billion points of light to guide my way back home
Innumerable stars serve as guiding lights to lead me back to my home
When the moon is hanging fat and full and all those jangly stars recede
During a full moon, when the moon appears large, the other twinkling stars become less prominent
A fold out couch on a midnight porch is where my footsteps lead
I find myself drawn to a porch with a couch that can be unfolded, especially during midnight
You always said I made my bed
You always believed that I created my own situation or destiny
Friends don't call like they used to for reasons not unkind
My friends no longer contact me as frequently as before, but it's not due to any unkind reasons
If there's anything that we can do rings hollow down a telephone line
When people offer their help or assistance over the phone, it feels empty and insincere
There's a cedar grove in back of the house maybe halfway down the hill
Behind the house, there's a grove of cedar trees situated approximately halfway down the hill
A place to go and just lay low when there's precious time to fill
It's a place where one can relax and hide away when there's free time to spend
A few gravestones, a pre-civil war fence and the random arrowhead
Within the grove, there are a few tombstones, an old fence dating back to before the Civil War, and occasionally an arrowhead can be found
Where the beehive swarmed three summers ago too wet the old men said
The place where a beehive gathered and swarmed three summers ago, which the elderly men believed was due to excessive humidity
So it's me, your little lap dog, and that old brindle cat trying to keep this place in line
It's just me, your small pet dog, and the old cat with a mixed fur color, working together to keep this place organized and under control
And heading into town these days is the last thing on my mind
Currently, going into town is the least important thing on my mind
I weep for you
I shed tears for you
It's what I do
Crying is a habitual action for me
Forty miles from nowhere
Still situated far away from any significant place
At the bottom of the world
In an isolated and desolate location
Lyrics 漏 Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RODNEY J. CROWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robin Lukenbaugh
I think Rodney Crowell is one of the best singer/songwriters there ever was!
Deb Kosteniuk
I keep playing this over and over and over again. One of the most beautiful songs from Close Ties
C R B
It really is. One of his best songs of any album.
Jamie Smith
This sounds the way that grief, loneliness and "trying to move on" sound like in my heart. Reminds me of my father and those who have gone before me, as well as what my father-in-law is living, currently.
Rebekah Wengard
His voice...馃挋馃挅
Lastname First
The imagery in this is fantastic. Ive got it all in a picture now forever in my head
Terry Moore
Draws the most effective picture I've ever heard. Just incredible.
Lastname First
Great song on a great album
Christine Schmidt
Rodney is a TRUE wordsmith, better than Bob Dylan, in my opinion, ever was.
Bill Hunt
Beautiful composition and performance....wow.