Earle was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia, and grew up near San Antonio, Texas. His father, Jack Earle, was an air traffic controller. Although he was born in Virginia where his father was stationed, the family returned to Texas before Earle's second birthday. They moved several times but Earle grew up primarily in the San Antonio area.
Earle began learning the guitar at the age of 11 and placed in a talent contest at his school at age 13. He is reported to have run away from home at age 14 to follow his idol, singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt around Texas. Earle was "rebellious" as a youngster and dropped out of school at the age of 16. He moved to Houston with his 19-year-old uncle, who was also a musician, where he married and worked odd jobs. While in Houston Earle finally met Van Zandt, who became his hero and role model.
In 1975, at the age of 20, Earle moved to Nashville and began working as a songwriter. In these early days, he recorded with Guy Clark and Emmylou Harris. He finally scored a country hit in 1981, writing Johnny Lee's top ten cut "When You Fall in Love." Earle's early work as a performer tended towards the rockabilly sound, popular at the time. In 1986, his first proper album Guitar Town was a critical and commercial success. It sold over 300,000 copies and led some to herald him as a saviour of country music.
Earle long struggled with drug abuse. His addiction eventually caused a departure from performing and recording after he was dropped by MCA in 1991. Whilst in jail on drug and firearm charges, he kicked the habit and returned to music after his release in 1994.
Earle's "second, post-jail, musical career" has been more stylistically diverse than his early material, dipping in acoustic, bluegrass, and roots rock sounds. I Feel Alright and Transcendental Blues met with good reviews and decent sales. 2002's somewhat controversial Jerusalem was one of the first albums to directly address the September 11 attacks. It brought Earle's leftist views to media attention, especially the song "John Walker's Blues."
His latest album of original material I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive was released in 2011. Songfacts reports that one of the tracks, This City, got played on HBO’s New Orleans based show Treme several months before the album‘s release. Earle, who plays a recurring street musician, composed the song especially for the drama series.
Earle has also released a tribute album of material written by friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt, entitled Townes.
For more information and photographs of Steve Earle go to his official website, www.SteveEarle.com.
A Little Bit In Love
Steve Earle Lyrics
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Because it always makes me look like a fool
Well, it keeps me up late
I can't concentrate
And I pride myself on keeping my cool
But I got to admit
I'm just a little bit in love with you
Because I don't sit up at night by the phone
Well, if you come around
I let my guard down
And I just can't seem to leave you alone
But I'll get over it
I'm just a little bit in love with you
Well, I tell myself that a little bit of love
Can't hurt a big man like me
But I never have heard of a little heart ache
And baby, that's what's scaring me
So don't you get your hopes up if I call
Because I always catch myself when I fall
But I got to admit
That I'm a little bit in love with you
So don't you get your hopes up if I call
Because I always catch myself when I fall
But I got to admit
That I'm a little bit in love with you
Oh, honey, that's all you get
I'm just a little bit in love with you
In Steve Earle's song "A Little Bit in Love," he admits to being in love with someone but tries to downplay it by saying he is "just a little bit in love." He starts by saying he doesn't usually fall in love because it makes him look like a fool and he prides himself on keeping his cool. However, he can't deny his feelings for this person and admits to being "just a little bit in love."
Earle then clarifies that he isn't waiting by the phone for this person to call, but when they are around, he can't seem to stay away from them. He acknowledges that a little bit of love can't hurt a big man like him, but he is afraid of the possibility of heartache. He tries to caution the person, saying not to get their hopes up if he calls because he always catches himself when he falls, but he can't deny that he is in love with them.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't fall in love as a rule
I usually do not let myself fall in love with anyone.
Because it always makes me look like a fool
Whenever I fall in love, it ends up making me look foolish.
Well, it keeps me up late
Falling in love keeps me awake at night.
I can't concentrate
It makes it hard for me to focus on other things.
And I pride myself on keeping my cool
I usually like to stay calm and collected.
But I got to admit
However, I must confess that...
I'm just a little bit in love with you
I am starting to feel some affection for you, though it is not too strong.
Now, I don't want you getting me wrong
I hope you do not misunderstand what I am saying.
Because I don't sit up at night by the phone
I am not waiting for you to call me.
Well, if you come around
However, if you are with me...
I let my guard down
I tend to become more emotionally open.
And I just can't seem to leave you alone
I have trouble staying away from you.
But I'll get over it
But I will eventually move on from this.
I'm just a little bit in love with you
Once again, I am only experiencing a small amount of romantic feelings toward you.
Well, I tell myself that a little bit of love
I have convinced myself that having some emotions for someone is not a bad thing.
Can't hurt a big man like me
I believe my ego is strong enough to withstand any potential pain or rejection.
But I never have heard of a little heart ache
However, I am not sure that a small amount of heartbreak is even possible.
And baby, that's what's scaring me
This is making me nervous and unsure.
So don't you get your hopes up if I call
I do not want you to expect too much after I contact you.
Because I always catch myself when I fall
I am good at controlling my emotions and not getting too carried away.
But I got to admit
However, I need to be honest...
That I'm a little bit in love with you
Even though it is not much, I have developed some romantic feelings for you.
Oh, honey, that's all you get
I do not want to say anything more than that.
I'm just a little bit in love with you
As I mentioned before, I am only feeling a small amount of affection for you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind