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.
All my life
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it wasn't enough I hear all these voices
Always tellin' me that I'm bad
But it's all in my head - like all those scary noises
[Chorus:]
I've been waiting all of my life
All of my life
All of my life
Some nights when I'm laying in bed
Wish I was dead - and I know you'd never miss me
But I know where you go when you dream
Strange as that seems 'cause I never even kissed you
[Chorus]
Everybody wants to be somebody's somethin'
Ain't nobody wants to be blue
Ain't nobody anywhere ever loved nothin'
Half as much as I love you
Somebody somewhere said "love is a prison"
But no one really wants to be free
I'd have to be crazy to ever think someone
Could love a nobody like me
I'm here alone in the dark
But I know where you are
Cause I can hear you breathin'
Come a little closer you'll find
You were meant to be mine
Cause you're the only reason
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
In Steve Earle's song "All My Life," the lyrics express feelings of isolation, self-doubt, and a longing for love. Earle's voice has a raw, vulnerable quality that conveys the depth of emotion in the lyrics.
The first verse reveals that the singer feels disconnected from others and trapped in their own thoughts. They hear voices that undermine their confidence, but they recognize that these negative thoughts are a product of their own mind. The chorus contains the repeated phrase "I've been waiting all of my life," which emphasizes the singer's desire for something they have not yet found.
In the second verse, the singer reveals their unrequited love for someone they have never even kissed. They feel unnoticed and insignificant, but they cling to the hope that this person may reciprocate their feelings. The bridge contains a hopeful message that love is worth pursuing, even if it presents challenges and risks. The final repetition of the chorus implies that the singer's longing for love continues unabated.
Overall, "All My Life" is a moving song that captures the feelings of loneliness and hopelessness that many people experience at some point in their lives. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of finding love and companionship, despite the difficulties that may arise.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess I don't get out too much
I do not spend much time outside my house.
If it wasn't enough I hear all these voices
In addition to my lack of social activity, I am haunted by negative thoughts.
Always tellin' me that I'm bad
These voices often criticize me and make me feel unworthy.
But it's all in my head - like all those scary noises
These voices and fears are all products of my own mind.
I've been waiting all of my life
Despite my struggles, I have been eagerly anticipating something special for a long time.
All of my life
The duration of my wait has been my entire existence so far.
Some nights when I'm laying in bed
During some of my restless nights, I imagine the worst scenarios.
Wish I was dead - and I know you'd never miss me
In these moments, I contemplate death and doubt whether anyone would truly care if I were gone.
But I know where you go when you dream
I think of you and imagine where your subconscious takes you at night.
Strange as that seems 'cause I never even kissed you
Despite not having an intimate connection, I feel a deep and unrequited love for you.
Everybody wants to be somebody's somethin'
Most people desire some form of identity or relationship that gives them purpose.
Ain't nobody wants to be blue
No one wants to feel sad or unfulfilled.
Ain't nobody anywhere ever loved nothin'
Despite the hardships of life, everyone has loved or aspired to love something or someone.
Half as much as I love you
My love for you is greater than any love I have ever known or seen.
Somebody somewhere said "love is a prison"
There is a saying that love can feel constricting or suffocating.
But no one really wants to be free
Despite this notion, no one desires to be truly free from love or the joys and pains that come with it.
I'd have to be crazy to ever think someone
Given my experiences, I would have to be delusional to believe that someone could love me.
Could love a nobody like me
I often feel like a nobody or undeserving of love.
I'm here alone in the dark
In the present moment, I am physically and metaphorically in the dark, feeling alone and lost.
But I know where you are
Although I am alone, I know that you exist and are out there somewhere.
Cause I can hear you breathin'
Perhaps in my imagination or in a distant memory, I can hear you breathe.
Come a little closer you'll find
If you were to approach me or allow me to approach you, you might discover something special between us.
You were meant to be mine
I believe that fate or destiny has deemed that you and I are destined to be together.
Cause you're the only reason
The reason I have waited all my life and continue to hold onto hope for love is because of you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERNARD HERRMANN, STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind