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.
Nashville 1972
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd just blew in from Texas and I didn't know nothing
I found my way around this town with a friend I made named Guy
Who loved Susanna and so did I
Now there was this run down shack on Acklen Avenue
That I shared with Skinny Dennis
And a poet name of Richard Dobson who had a novel he'd never finish
And every other guitar bum whose name I never knew
Old School Nashville, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill
Tom T Hall go drink your fill and blow us all away
There was this tight-rope-walker who called herself the queen of Poughkeepsie
Who ran away from the circus with some roustabout redneck gypsy
They were Townes Van Zandt fans and prone to combustion
They fought like dogs in Spanish and made love in Russian
I wish Newberry and Buck White would drop on by the house tonight
Things have changed round here you bet, but it don't seem much better yet
I first met Willie Nelson with some friends at a party
I was twenty-two years old and he was pushing forty
There was hippies and reefer and God knows what all I was drinking pretty hard
I played him this shitty song I wrote and puked out in the yard
Old School Nashville, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill
Tom T Hall go drink your fill and blow us all away
In the song "Nashville 1972" by Rodney Crowell, the lyrics depict the artist's experiences and encounters in the city during that particular year. The song captures the essence of the vibrant music scene and the unique characters that inhabited it.
The first verse introduces the singer's arrival in Nashville from Texas, accompanied by his dog Banjo and a girl named Muffin. He admits his lack of knowledge about the city upon his arrival. However, he quickly finds his way around with the help of a newfound friend named Guy, who shares his love for a woman named Susanna.
The second verse describes the living situation of the singer, who shares a run-down shack on Acklen Avenue with two individuals named Skinny Dennis and Richard Dobson. Dobson is mentioned to have an unfinished novel. The lyrics also allude to the arrival of notable figures in the music industry, such as Johnny Rodrigues, David Olney, and Steve Earle, along with various other guitar-playing individuals who remain nameless.
The chorus references well-known figures in the Nashville music scene, including Harlan Howard, Bob McDill, and Tom T. Hall. These names serve as symbols of the traditional country music establishment and its influence. The lyrics implore Tom T. Hall to indulge himself in drinking and "blow us all away," suggesting a desire to exceed expectations and make an impact with their music.
Moving on to the third verse, the lyrics introduce a couple who ran away from a circus. This couple identifies themselves as fans of Townes Van Zandt and possess an intense and passionate relationship. They fight in Spanish and make love in Russian, symbolizing the intense and unpredictable nature of their connection. The lyrics express a wish for other notable musicians like Newberry and Buck White to visit their house, perhaps longing for the presence of esteemed talent within their circle. The verse ends with a reflection on the changes that have occurred in the area, but the sense of improvement remains elusive.
Finally, the fourth verse recounts the singer's first meeting with Willie Nelson at a party. At the time, Crowell was 22 while Nelson was almost 40, highlighting the age difference between them. The party is depicted as wild, with hippies, marijuana, and excessive alcohol consumption. The singer even shares a self-critical moment when he plays a "shitty" song he wrote to Nelson before vomiting in the yard.
Overall, "Nashville 1972" is a nostalgic reflection on the artist's experiences and encounters in the legendary Nashville music scene during a particular year. It captures the unique characters, tumultuous relationships, and the never-ending pursuit of musical success in a city that both inspired and challenged them.
Line by Line Meaning
I had a dog named Banjo and a girl named Muffin
I had companions in the form of a loyal dog named Banjo and a girl named Muffin.
I'd just blew in from Texas and I didn't know nothing
I recently arrived from Texas, completely unaware of the ways of this new place.
I found my way around this town with a friend I made named Guy
I navigated the city with the help of a newfound friend named Guy.
Who loved Susanna and so did I
Both Guy and I shared a deep affection for a woman named Susanna.
Now there was this run down shack on Acklen Avenue
In this neighborhood, there existed a dilapidated shack on Acklen Avenue.
That I shared with Skinny Dennis
I had a housemate by the name of Skinny Dennis in that shack.
And a poet name of Richard Dobson who had a novel he'd never finish
Living with us was Richard Dobson, a poet who had an unfinished novel.
That's when Johnny Rodrigues, David Olney and Steve Earle first came through
During that time, notable individuals like Johnny Rodrigues, David Olney, and Steve Earle made their first appearances.
And every other guitar bum whose name I never knew
Countless other struggling musicians, whose names eluded my memory, also frequented this place.
Old School Nashville, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill
Referencing the traditional Nashville music scene and influential songwriters like Harlan Howard and Bob McDill.
Tom T Hall go drink your fill and blow us all away
Acknowledging the impact and talent of musician Tom T Hall in a captivating manner.
There was this tight-rope-walker who called herself the queen of Poughkeepsie
A specific individual, a tight-rope-walker, who arrogantly referred to herself as the queen of Poughkeepsie.
Who ran away from the circus with some roustabout redneck gypsy
She escaped from the circus, accompanying a rough and unconventional individual of the nomadic redneck community.
They were Townes Van Zandt fans and prone to combustion
Both of them admired Townes Van Zandt's music and had a tendency to engage in explosive arguments.
They fought like dogs in Spanish and made love in Russian
Their arguments were intense, communicated with passion in the Spanish language, but their love was expressed with equal fervor in Russian.
I wish Newberry and Buck White would drop on by the house tonight
Expressing a desire for the presence of Newberry and Buck White at the current residence, longing for a reunion.
Things have changed round here you bet, but it don't seem much better yet
Acknowledging the changes that have occurred in the surroundings, but also realizing that the situation hasn't significantly improved.
I first met Willie Nelson with some friends at a party
My initial encounter with Willie Nelson took place at a social gathering, in the company of friends.
I was twenty-two years old and he was pushing forty
At the time, I was a youthful twenty-two, while Willie Nelson was already approaching the age of forty.
There was hippies and reefer and God knows what all I was drinking pretty hard
The atmosphere was filled with hippies, marijuana, and a multitude of unknown substances, as I indulged heavily in drinking.
I played him this shitty song I wrote and puked out in the yard
I had the audacity to perform a poorly crafted song I had composed for him, only to then vomit in the yard.
Old School Nashville, Harlan Howard, Bob McDill
Continuing to reference the traditional Nashville music scene and influential songwriters, emphasizing their lasting impact.
Tom T Hall go drink your fill and blow us all away
Reiterating the invitation for Tom T Hall to indulge in his preferences and leave a lasting impression on everyone present.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RODNEY J. CROWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Dant
if y'all don't know who mickey newbury,buck white, guy clark'steve earl, bob mcdill& other names mentioned, then you missed country by a mile. this song gives me chills. i love it!
Ken Yount
Rodney is approaching Guy Clark status. That's the highest compliment I could possibly give him. Great stuff!
sterling fury
I think he's already there...
ironmighty
@Catherine Todd Rodney has the catalogue, guy has the reputation
Catherine Todd
thanks mark; right on target. Crowell is renowned world-wide and is for the ages.
mark price
Don't know why you need to try and rate artist,but since you did,Guy Clark doesn't have close to the depth of songs Rodney has made,hits song,songs recorded by others,concerts videos,. This ain't even close.Rodney has earned how own status and looks up to no one especially Guy Clark.
Pam Hurt
His best yet
John Allen
He’s written songs that reach in deep and massage the heart, songs that bring on tears, songs that bring on laughter, songs that bristle with electrically charged emotion, like he went to some dark, hidden place of energy just to find the switch and throw it. His songs are happy, catchy, friendly, playful, fearful, fretful, thoughtful, mindful, visionary and blind, and the records he’s put on the air, and on jukeboxes, have made the country music standard of living a little richer, made the lives of everyone who’s tapped into his talent a little more interesting.
Craig Walker
AMEN .
sterling fury
Beautifully said and very very true 😁😁😁