Steve Earle (born Stephen Fain Earle on January 17, 1955 in San Antonio, Te… Read Full Bio ↴Steve Earle (born Stephen Fain Earle on January 17, 1955 in San Antonio, Texas) is a singer-songwriter best known for his country music and rock 'n roll tinged "alt-country." He is also a published writer, a keen political activist (particularly in protesting against the death penalty in the U.S., as in his song "Ellis Unit One" from the movie Dead Man Walking), and has written and directed a play. Earle also had small roles on the HBO television shows "The Wire" and "Treme". His sister Stacey Earle is also an acclaimed singer-songwriter, as is his most recent wife, Allison Moorer, whom he wed in 2005. His first son from an earlier marriage is the singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle, named for Earle's hero Townes Van Zandt.

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.

Annie Is Tonight the Night
Steve Earle Lyrics

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Here I am again, now, acting like a crazy fool
Every time I get to rocking, I always run into you
I never did understand why you want to be so cruel

Well, Annie, is tonight the night?
Do you think the moon is right?
You don't have to tell me you will
Just say that you might

I know you told me once
I guess you could a told me twice
I guess I keep hoping some day you're going to treat me nice
I'm trying to get next to you
Cold as ice

Well, Annie, is tonight the night?
Do you think the moon is right?
You don't have to tell me you will
Just say that you might

Now I'm not fool enough thinking I'm the only one
Got me coming and a-going till I'm about to come undone
Not trying to find love
I'm looking for a little fun

Well, Annie, is tonight the night?
Do you think the moon is right?
You don't have to tell me you will
Just say that you might

Well, Annie, is tonight the night?
Do you think the moon is right?

You don't have to tell me you will
Just say that you might

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Steve Earle's song Annie Is Tonight the Night revolve around the singer's recurring encounter with an ex-partner whom he still has feelings for. He seems to be wondering if it is finally the night that they will reconcile and possibly reignite their love. The singer is seen as desperate to get back with his ex-lover, despite the fact that she treated him poorly in the past. His desperation is shown in lines such as "I never did understand why you want to be so cruel" and "I guess I keep hoping some day you're going to treat me nice". The singer wants to spend time with Annie and possibly have some fun, rather than looking for love.

The song seems to be about the hope people have in rekindling lost love. Despite the fact that the singer and Annie have not been together for a while and Annie treated him poorly, he still has feelings for her. There is a desperation in his voice, but he is also cautious and afraid of being hurt again, as shown with the line "You don't have to tell me you will, just say that you might". The singer is seeking a sign or a signal from Annie that tonight, they might have a chance of getting back together. It is a beautiful and emotional song that deals with the complexities and heartbreak of love.

Line by Line Meaning

Here I am again, now, acting like a crazy fool
I keep repeating the same mistakes by pursuing you despite knowing how it always ends up in madness and heartbreak.

Every time I get to rocking, I always run into you
Whenever I am enjoying myself and letting loose, you appear and remind me of my unrequited desire for you.

I never did understand why you want to be so cruel
Your constant rejection and indifference towards me baffles me, as I struggle to understand why you choose to be unkind towards me.

Well, Annie, is tonight the night?
I am desperate and hopeful that tonight will finally be the night when you will give in to my advances and reciprocate my feelings.

Do you think the moon is right?
I am superstitious and believe that the moon's phases can influence our romantic fate, so I am asking if you think tonight's moon is on our side.

You don't have to tell me you will Just say that you might
I understand that you may not be sure about your feelings towards me, but I am hoping that you will at least consider the possibility of us being together.

I know you told me once I guess you could a told me twice I guess I keep hoping some day you're going to treat me nice
Despite your repeated rejection, I cling onto the hope that you will eventually see my worth and treat me with kindness and affection.

I'm trying to get next to you Cold as ice
You are emotionally distant and unapproachable, but I am still determined to break through your icy exterior and win your heart.

Now I'm not fool enough thinking I'm the only one Got me coming and a-going till I'm about to come undone
I am aware that I am not the only person pursuing you, and it pains me to see you play with my emotions and lead me on until I am on the brink of falling apart.

Not trying to find love I'm looking for a little fun
Although I speak of love, deep down I know that I am only interested in a physical relationship with you, as I seek pleasure and distraction from my troubles.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE EARLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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