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.
Why Don'T We Talk About It
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I let her treat me mighty low man
She made a lover of my best friend
And now he treats me like a has been
Yes, I've had my trouble with the world around me
No, I didn't give it my best
Now I get a chance to see some better weather
Why don't we talk about it now
Yes my reputation says I'm flaky
Hey my whole situation's kinda shaky
Some people 'round here think I've lost it
They drew the line I stepped across it
Yes, I've had my troubles in some certain circles
No, I didn't bring it on myself
Now I get a chance to know they'll eat their words
And if you don't care what you've heard
Why don't we talk about it now
Sometimes I make it all up in my head
There's a whole lot of things that should have never been said
This new ground feels solid that I'm standing on
I have done some things that might amaze you
But then again most things don't even phase you
You got a way of standing steadfast
I've got a way of running dead last
Yes, I've had my trouble trying to start over
No, I didn't give it all I could
Now I get a chance to know what love can heal
And if you want to know the feeling
Why don't we talk about it now
If you want to know the feeling
Why don't we talk about it now
In Rodney Crowell's song "Why Don't We Talk About It," the singer reflects on past mistakes in relationships and the judgments that have resulted from them. The first verse references a woman who mistreated him and cheated on him with his best friend. The line "And now he treats me like a has been" suggests that the singer has lost some respect and status due to this betrayal. The singer acknowledges that he hasn't always handled situations with the best of his abilities and that people around him may view him as unreliable. He proposes that discussing these issues openly can lead to healthier relationships in the future.
In the second verse, the singer addresses his reputation as "flaky" and acknowledges that some people view him as having "lost it." He admits to crossing a line and causing some of these perceptions. However, he also recognizes that he has the opportunity to prove people wrong and that he is standing on "new ground" which feels more stable. He admits to having made mistakes and having run "dead last" in the past, but suggests that he now has a chance to start over and heal through love.
The chorus repeats the invitation to talk about feelings and work through difficulties rather than avoiding them. Overall, the song promotes honesty and communication as key components of healthy relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I had a woman with a high hand
I used to be with a woman who thought she was better than me.
And I let her treat me mighty low man
I allowed her to mistreat and disrespect me.
She made a lover of my best friend
She had an affair with my closest friend.
And now he treats me like a has been
And now my friend treats me with no respect or regard.
Yes, I've had my trouble with the world around me
I have faced hardships and difficulties with the people and circumstances around me.
No, I didn't give it my best
I did not put forth my maximum effort to overcome those obstacles.
Now I get a chance to see some better weather
But now I have an opportunity to experience better situations and outcomes.
If you want to stay forever
If you want to have a lasting connection with me,
Why don't we talk about it now
Let's have a conversation about it right away.
Yes my reputation says I'm flaky
People believe that I am unreliable or indecisive based on my past behavior.
Hey my whole situation's kinda shaky
My entire life seems to be unstable and unpredictable.
Some people 'round here think I've lost it
Some individuals in my community believe that I have gone crazy or have made poor choices.
They drew the line I stepped across it
They set a boundary for me, but I disregarded it and did what I wanted anyway.
Yes, I've had my troubles in some certain circles
I have faced challenges and conflicts within specific groups or communities.
No, I didn't bring it on myself
I did not intentionally cause those issues or struggles for myself.
Now I get a chance to know they'll eat their words
Now I have an opportunity to prove those individuals wrong and show them that I am capable and successful.
And if you don't care what you've heard
And if you are not influenced by the rumors or opinions you have heard about me,
Why don't we talk about it now
Let's have a conversation about our connection and future together right away.
Sometimes I make it all up in my head
Sometimes I create scenarios or ideas in my mind that are not based in reality.
There's a whole lot of things that should have never been said
There are many words or thoughts that I should have kept to myself and never expressed.
This new ground feels solid that I'm standing on
But now I feel like I am on stable and firm ground in my life.
I have done some things that might amaze you
I have accomplished some things that may surprise or impress you.
But then again most things don't even phase you
But, for the most part, you are not easily impressed or affected by my actions or accomplishments.
You got a way of standing steadfast
You have a strong and unwavering presence and demeanor.
I've got a way of running dead last
I tend to be at the bottom or behind others in terms of success or accomplishments.
Yes, I've had my trouble trying to start over
I have faced difficulties and challenges in attempting to begin anew or start fresh.
No, I didn't give it all I could
I did not put forth my maximum effort in trying to move on or start over.
Now I get a chance to know what love can heal
But now I have an opportunity to experience the transformative power of love and its ability to heal and repair.
And if you want to know the feeling
And if you are interested in experiencing that same feeling,
Why don't we talk about it now
Let's have a conversation about our relationship and emotions right away.
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.