Raised in San Antonio, Texas, Earle first taught herself to play a ukulele. She was given a guitar as a Christmas present when she was 16 years old, and, when she became a mother at 17, she continued to play and sing at home, developing her own style of finger picking.
When she was 29 years old, she moved to Nashville to live with her brother Steve Earle and sang backing vocals and played rhythm guitar on his 1991 album The Hard Way, and for the subsequent world tour. She appeared on her brother's subsequent albums: Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator and Transcendental Blues.
After returning from tour, she wrote songs and performed them at writer's nights in Nashville. Later, she set up her own songwriters' night to get some more time on stage. During this time, she met fellow guitarist and singer Mark Stuart who became her partner in running the events and then later became her second husband.
Earle signed a contract with Nashville's Ten Ten Music Group as a staff songwriter and received notice for her song "For Years", which appeared on Sammy Kershaw's 1996 CD Politics, Religion and Her.
Her first album, Simple Gearle (1999), was created for distribution at concerts; she felt bad that the fans were going home empty-handed. Albums that followed include: Dancin' With Them That Brung Me (2000), Never Gonna Let You Go (2003), Must Be Live (2003), and Communion Bread (2005). Much of her music is a joint venture with Mark Stuart, whom she met through her brother; there are several albums released by Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart.
Both Earle and Stuart were members of Steve Earle & The Dukes as well performing with their own band, The Jewels (named after Earle's grandmother Jewel Earle).
In My Way
Stacey Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Picking pieces up of what she's worth
I've got a little bit to show for
I got what I need maybe a little more
I wake up to catch a sunrise
I've fallen in love under a moonlit night
I seen some of the worst storms roll in
[Chorus]
I know exactly where I'm headed
Just a little stop I made on the way
Even though I feel I'm in heaven
I let nothing stand in my way
In my way, in my way
In my way, in my way
Hard days work leaves a tired one
Leaves so little time for any one
But I'm sure I'll be seein' you 'round
Don't get up I know the way out
[Chorus]
I left nothing standing
There is nothin' standin'
I have nothin'standing in my way
The song "In My Way" by Stacey Earle reflects an individual's journey in life, where they have walked all over the Earth, picking up pieces of what the Earth has to offer. The lyrics portray the singer's self-assurance and confidence in knowing where they are headed in life, despite any difficulties they may face along the way. The singer has experienced both love and hardship, as they describe falling in love under a moonlit night and witnessing some of the worst storms. However, the singer shows resilience and chooses to move on and pick up their pieces when faced with challenges.
The chorus highlights the singer's unwavering determination to reach their destination, as they state that they know exactly where they are headed and nothing will stand in their way. The singer feels that they are in heaven but acknowledges that they are just making a little stop along the way. In the second verse, the singer expresses that their hard days of work have left them tired and with little time for others, but they assure the person they are addressing that they will see them around. The final chorus emphasizes that they have left nothing standing in their way and that there is nothing in their way of reaching their destination.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk all over this earth
I travel a lot and observe the beauty and value of the earth.
Picking pieces up of what she's worth
I collect pieces of worth that the earth has to offer.
I've got a little bit to show for
I have accumulated some valuable things on my journey.
I got what I need maybe a little more
I have what I need and maybe even some more than what I need.
I wake up to catch a sunrise
I wake up early to witness the beauty of the sunrise.
I've fallen in love under a moonlit night
I have experienced love under the light of the moon.
I seen some of the worst storms roll in
I have witnessed some of the worst storms and difficult times.
I pick up my pieces and I move on again
I gather my strength and continue on my journey after facing difficulties.
I know exactly where I'm headed
I have a clear idea of where I am going in life.
Just a little stop I made on the way
Although I am enjoying my journey, I consider my current stop as just a short break on my way forward.
Even though I feel I'm in heaven
Although I feel happy and content in my current situation, I am aware that challenges can come anytime.
I let nothing stand in my way
I do not allow any obstacle to prevent me from achieving my goals and moving forward.
In my way, in my way
I make a point to reiterate that nothing stands in my way.
Hard days work leaves a tired one
Working hard throughout the day makes one tired.
Leaves so little time for any one
Working hard throughout the day leaves such little time to spend with loved ones.
But I'm sure I'll be seein' you 'round
I may not have much time, but I am sure I will be around.
Don't get up I know the way out
You do not need to escort me out, I am familiar with the way out.
I left nothing standing
I made sure that I removed any obstacle or hindrance on my journey.
There is nothin' standin'
There is no obstacle that can stop me from moving forward and achieving my goals.
I have nothin'standing in my way
There is nothing that stands between me and my aspirations.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Azeem Ali Khan
Beautiful song, really moving and genuinely uplifting. Gorgeous harmonies too.
Damion Coady
love this song
Debby Turner
Terrific lyrics!! Did Stacey write this? Hugs from New York country
900bartholomew
Ms Earle had to be thinking of my wife and those like her when she wrote this song, it fits her perfectly....
Anna-Lill Brundin Bogren
Älskar den musiken ,Tack