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.
Say You Love Me
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
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There was good time had by all accounts we've been drinking to you in tall amounts I guess we had a little trouble in the hotel bar
Some hometown bubba went a little too far
He said he don't like Catholics he don't like Jews
He don't like me and he don't like you
Say you love me say you need me say you want me don't disappoint me
Say it say it say it say it
I've got ten good years left in my legs some day baby I won't have to beg
You've got the Irish eyes and the Irish lips from your head down to your fingertips
Poetry in your kiss and your hand poetry anywhere that you stand
Come on and say you love me say you need me say you want me don't disappoint me Say it say it say it say it
Speak your mind darlin' state your case baby
Lay it on the line sugar cut to the chase maybe
Say it in your own words don't be proud
If it's something that you want to get heard
You've got to say it to me right out loud
Say it say it say it say it
The lyrics of "Say You Love Me" by Rodney Crowell delve into the theme of insecurity in relationships. The first stanza paints a picture of a wild night out, with the singer being physically affected by the partying, "dirty teeth" and "sore eyes." While general fun was had, there was a hiccup in the hotel bar, where a bigoted person caused trouble. The focus then shifts to the relationship of the singer with their partner, who is assuredly of Irish descent, with "Irish eyes" and "Irish lips," and the singer seems to be questioning the sincerity of their partner's love. The chorus consists of requests for assurance, a repeating plea for the partner to affirm their love and commitment to the singer.
The verses themselves express the singer's insecurity, with lines like "some day baby I won't have to beg" indicating a fear of abandonment. This fear presents itself again in the last line of the song's chorus, "don't disappoint me," reinforcing the singer's feeling of vulnerability in their emotional life. The chorus's repetition is a manifestation of the singer's inner voice, a desperate plea for certainty in their relationship, as if they are the only ones keeping it together. The song concludes with an exhortation to speak freely and honestly, to declare one's wants and needs out loud to combat the anxiety inherent in questioning a partner's love.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been up all night and the night before my teeth are dirty my eyes are sore
I've been partying and staying up late, my appearance shows my exhaustion.
There was good time had by all accounts we've been drinking to you in tall amounts I guess we had a little trouble in the hotel bar
We had a good time drinking but some trouble started in the hotel bar.
Some hometown bubba went a little too far He said he don't like Catholics he don't like Jews He don't like me and he don't like you
A man caused trouble by expressing bigoted opinions.
Say you love me say you need me say you want me don't disappoint me Say it say it say it say it
Please tell me you love me and need me, and don't let me down. Repeat it.
I've got ten good years left in my legs some day baby I won't have to beg The first thing to go is not your mind you have known that for a long long time
I still have energy left in me, but I won't always have to rely on others. Stamina is fleeting, but I accept this fact.
You've got the Irish eyes and the Irish lips from your head down to your fingertips Poetry in your kiss and your hand poetry anywhere that you stand
You embody Irish beauty with every part of you - your eyes, lips, and even your touch.
Come on and say you love me say you need me say you want me don't disappoint me Say it say it say it say it
Please tell me again and again how much you love and need me.
Speak your mind darlin' state your case baby Lay it on the line sugar cut to the chase maybe Say it in your own words don't be proud If it's something that you want to get heard You've got to say it to me right out loud
Tell me exactly what's on your mind, don't hold back - use your own words and say it out loud.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RODNEY CROWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind