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.
I Walk The Line
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long before the sun came up way out in the sticks
The headlight showed a two rut roadway, back up in the pines
First time I heard Johnny Cash sing I walk the line
I got my thrill behind the wheel upon my daddy?s lap
Grandpa rode co-pilot with a flashlight and a map
Cane pole out the window it was in the summertime
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I never will forget that day, I know the time and place
Sounded like the whole thing came right down from outer space
I still can see those headlights and that dashboard in my mind
The first time I heard Johnny Cash sing I walk the line
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day's through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line
All these long years later it's still music to my ears
I swear it sounds as good right now as anything I hear
I've seen the Mona Lisa, I've heard Shakespeare read real fine
Just like hearing Johnny Cash sing I walk the line
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've know proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
Because you're mine, I walk the line
The lyrics to Rodney Crowell's song "I Walk The Line" are about the singer's nostalgia for his childhood and his love for Johnny Cash. The singer reminisces about being in his dad's '49 Ford and hearing Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line" for the first time. He also remembers fishing with his grandpa and driving around with them during the summertime. The lyrics go on to highlight the singer's devotion to love by referencing the famous refrain from Cash's song, "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine."
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of music, specifically the impact Johnny Cash's music has had on him. For the singer, hearing "I Walk The Line" for the first time was a life-changing experience that he remembers years later. The song serves as a constant reminder of the singer's youth and his love for those who shaped him. The singer also reveals that he walks the line because he is devoted to his love, and he finds it easy to be true.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm back on board that '49 Ford in 1956
I am transported back in time on my old Ford from 1949 to the year 1956
The headlight showed a two rut roadway, back up in the pines
The headlights illuminated a road with two ruts running through the pine trees
First time I heard Johnny Cash sing I walk the line
The very first time I listened to Johnny Cash sing the song 'I walk the line'
Cane pole out the window it was in the summertime
During summertime, I put my fishing rod out of the window of my car
Grandpa rode co-pilot with a flashlight and a map
Grandpa sat beside me with a map and a flashlight as a co-pilot
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I am always alert and wary
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
I always pay attention to the little things that can keep us attached and bound together
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I am committed to being faithful to you
I find it very, very easy to be true
I have no trouble being sincere
I still can see those headlights and that dashboard in my mind
The memory of the headlights and the dashboard of that old car is still fresh in my mind
Sounded like the whole thing came right down from outer space
It seemed surreal and other-worldly, like it came from outer space
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I am devoted to being loyal to you
All these long years later it's still music to my ears
Even after so many years, I still cherish this memory and love the music
Just like hearing Johnny Cash sing I walk the line
It is as gratifying as listening to Johnny Cash's rendition of 'I walk the line'
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I am certain as day and night that I am true to you
I keep you on my mind both day and night
You are always on my thoughts, whether it is day or night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
I know I am on the right path because the happiness I've experienced confirms it
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I am resolute in remaining loyal to you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH, RODNEY J. CROWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Bruno
This song is definitely criminally underrated.
By The Fireside
Rodney Crowell said in an interview why that's the case. A couple years before recording this after Country Radio totally ignored Cash when he did his first album with Rick Ruben, Ruben took out an ad with the iconic image of Cash giving the finger with a sarcastic message "thanking" country radio for their "support".
Crowell stated after recording this, industry people told him it would be a smash hit that people would go nuts for, but they'll never play it because of the ad.
Country Radio gladly snubbed himself and the greatest of all time because Ruben and Cash called them out for snubbing him before
JOHN SMITH
Not Enough GOOD Things can be Said about Rodney Crowell..... One of the Best Song Writers of our Time.... GENIUS....
Mar-en france
Totally agree! 😊
Clay Smith
most people dont know how talented Rodney is,he has written music and cowritten music that will out live us both.
AFTERBURNER
I’m a rock n roll heavy metal guy and Johnny Cash is the coolest man to ever pick up a guitar.
CM car scene
I’m rock and country but my favourite rock band is status quo and fav country is Johnny cash and Merle haggard
Drew Roberts
Elvis tho
highnrising
Best artist tribute song ever.
"I've seen the Mona Lisa, I've heard Shakespeare read real fine
Just like hearing Johnny Cash sing I Walk the Line."
Helena Hentzelova
Liberec - ( Česká republika ) Krásné slova, Dobře se poslouchá❤👍