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.
Storm Warning
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're staring down the dark eye of the beast
Seek your shelter anywhere you will
Don't let your life depend on standing still
Tornado alley keeps on moving south
Winds that yank the teeth right from your mouth
Grab your bible, wedding ring and pet
Storm Warning
Storm Warning
First you hear that mighty rumbling freight train sound
Next your trees are plucked like daisies from the ground
Your roof, your car, your house, your friends
School bus tumbling end on end
Screaming Storm Warning
Storm Warning
The devil's claw marks leave a trail of wrath
Ninety-five miles of twisted aftermath
A cell phone rings unanswered in the mess
Who lost who is anybody's guess
Storm Warning
Storm Warning
The lyrics to Rodney Crowell's song "Storm Warning" depict the impending danger and destruction brought on by a powerful storm. The first verse begins with the description of a dark and ominous cloud rolling towards the east, representing the imminent arrival of the storm. The line "Seek your shelter anywhere you will, don't let your life depend on standing still" advises listeners to find safety wherever possible and emphasizes the urgency of taking action rather than remaining motionless and at risk.
The second verse references Tornado Alley, a region in the United States particularly vulnerable to tornadoes. The lyrics suggest that the ferocious winds can be so strong that they can even pull the teeth from one's mouth, highlighting the destructive force of the storm. The mention of grabbing the Bible, wedding ring, and pet indicates the importance of protecting loved ones and cherished belongings in the face of a disaster. The line "We ain't seen the worst of this thing yet" implies that the storm's intensity and devastation are not yet fully realized, adding to the sense of urgency and danger.
The chorus, repeating the phrase "Storm Warning," serves as a warning call to those in the path of the storm. It evokes the fear and apprehension that come with the impending natural disaster. The following verses further emphasize the destructive power of the storm, with imagery of a rumbling freight train, trees being uprooted, and buildings being destroyed. The reference to a cell phone ringing unanswered in the chaos symbolizes the uncertainty and loss that often accompany such events. Ultimately, "Storm Warning" serves as a cautionary song, urging listeners to be prepared and take necessary precautions in the face of life-threatening storms.
Line by Line Meaning
Charcoal cloudbank belly rolling east
A dark, ominous cloud formation is moving swiftly towards the east
We're staring down the dark eye of the beast
We are facing the dangerous center of the storm
Seek your shelter anywhere you will
Find safety and protection wherever possible
Don't let your life depend on standing still
Take action and don't rely on inaction to keep you safe
Tornado alley keeps on moving south
The region prone to tornadoes is shifting its location towards the south
Winds that yank the teeth right from your mouth
Violent winds capable of ripping things apart, including teeth
Grab your bible, wedding ring and pet
Gather your most cherished possessions, including religious texts, sentimental items, and beloved pets
We ain't seen the worst of this thing yet
The most severe part of the storm is still to come
Storm Warning
A warning about an approaching storm
First you hear that mighty rumbling freight train sound
Initially, you hear a loud noise similar to a train approaching
Next your trees are plucked like daisies from the ground
Then, your trees are forcefully uprooted as if they were delicate flowers
Your roof, your car, your house, your friends
Your property, including your roof, car, and house, as well as your loved ones
School bus tumbling end on end
A school bus rolling uncontrollably
Screaming Storm Warning
Shouting out the warning of the approaching storm
The devil's claw marks leave a trail of wrath
The destructive aftermath of the storm resembles claw marks of the devil
Ninety-five miles of twisted aftermath
A path of destruction extending for a distance of ninety-five miles
A cell phone rings unanswered in the mess
In the chaos, a ringing phone goes unnoticed and unattended
Who lost who is anybody's guess
It is unknown who has been lost or separated from each other in the devastation
Storm Warning
A warning about an approaching storm
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RODNEY CROWELL, MARY KARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kay Cook-Abbott
Brilliant........as always
1022rebelreddog
Rodney crowell at his best.....
Zane Anderson
I love the fiddle in this song