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.
Tobacco Road
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama died and my daddy got drunk
Left me here to die or grow
In the middle of Tobacco Road
Grew up in a rusty shack
All I had was a hangin' on my back
Only you know how I loathe
But it's home
The only life I've ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
Gonna leave, get a job
With help and grace from above
Save my money, grow rich and old
And bring it back to Tobacco Road
Bring dynamite and a crane
Blow it up and start all over again
And build a town we'd be proud to show
And give the name of Tobacco Road
But it's home
The only life I've ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
I was born in a trunk
My mama died and my daddy got drunk
Left me here to die or grow
In the middle of Tobacco Road
But it's home
The only life I've ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
“Tobacco Road” by Rodney Crowell is a classic song about the struggles of growing up poor in the rural South. The opening lyrics describe the singer’s tragic beginnings, born into poverty and left alone after his mother’s death and father’s drinking problem. He grew up in a rundown shack in a community named Tobacco Road, which he despises despite feeling it’s the only home he’s ever known. Throughout the song, the singer expresses a desire to leave this place and make something of himself, promising to come back to rebuild and rename the town.
The theme of “Tobacco Road” is the resilience of the human spirit in the face of hardship. The singer is born into tough circumstances but is determined to break free of them, to rise above his upbringing and make something of himself. The song also highlights the negative impact that poverty can have on a person, particularly when it’s the only atmosphere they know. The singer’s desire to start anew, even to the point of destroying his old surroundings, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in a trunk
I was born into a lifestyle of poverty, with very little to call my own.
Mama died and my daddy got drunk
I lost my mother at a young age and my father turned to drinking, leaving me to fend for myself.
Left me here to die or grow
My father's absence meant that my future was uncertain and I was left to figure things out on my own.
In the middle of Tobacco Road
I was born and raised in a place called Tobacco Road, which was known for being rundown and undesirable.
Grew up in a rusty shack
I spent my childhood living in a small, dilapidated house that was in a state of disrepair.
All I had was a hangin' on my back
I had very few possessions and had to carry everything I owned with me everywhere I went.
Only you know how I loathe
Only those who have lived in this place understand how much I dislike it.
This place called Tobacco Road
I have grown to hate living in Tobacco Road and dream of escaping to a better life.
But it's home
Despite its flaws and hardships, Tobacco Road is still the place where I grew up and have many memories associated with it.
The only life I've ever known
My whole world revolves around this place and my experiences here.
Gonna leave, get a job
I am determined to leave Tobacco Road and find employment elsewhere.
With help and grace from above
I believe that with divine intervention, I can find my way out of this place and into a better life.
Save my money, grow rich and old
I plan to work hard, save up my earnings, and live a long, prosperous life.
And bring it back to Tobacco Road
Eventually, I hope to return to Tobacco Road and use my wealth to help improve the community.
Bring dynamite and a crane
In order to make significant changes to Tobacco Road, drastic measures such as demolition and reconstruction may be necessary.
Blow it up and start all over again
It may be necessary to destroy what currently exists in order to build something better.
And build a town we'd be proud to show
Once we have created a new, improved version of Tobacco Road, we can take pride in showing it off to others.
And give the name of Tobacco Road
By keeping the name of Tobacco Road, we can acknowledge the hardships of the past while also moving forward into a better future.
I was born in a trunk
No matter how successful I become, I will always remember my humble beginnings in Tobacco Road.
Only you know how I loathe
The true extent of my dislike for this place can only be understood by those who have lived here themselves.
Tobacco Road
Despite its flaws, Tobacco Road will always hold a special place in my heart as the place where I grew up.
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.