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.
Brand New Companion
Steve Earle Lyrics
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Man, I'm gonna do my best this time
I got a brand new companion
Man, I'm gonna do my best this time
You know she cools me with her breathin'
Chases away those howlin' bottles of wine
She fits just like my guitar
She fits just like my guitar
She's near as tall as me
She lives way out the d train
But she's texas as can be
She got a home-spun disposition
Man, she's just as gentle as you please
She got a home-spun disposition
Man, she's just as gentle as you please
She got arms just like two rattle snakes
Legs just like a billow in the breeze
I got a brand new companion
Man, I'm gonna do my best this time
I got a brand new companion
Man, I'm gonna do my best this time
I want to trace her with my body
I want to track her with my mind
In Steve Earle's "Brand New Companion," the singer speaks of his new companion, whom he hopes to treat better than previous relationships. He speaks of how she cools him and helps him to chase away his previous vices of wine, and how she fits perfectly with him like a guitar given that they are both tall. She may live far away, specifically in Texas, but she has a laid-back and gentle nature about her that he likes. He speaks of her physical attributes, with arms likened to rattlesnakes and legs blowing in the breeze. The singer's desire for his new companion extends beyond the physical and into a more intimate connection, wanting to trace her with his body and track her with his mind.
Overall, the song presents a feeling of hopefulness and excitement for a new relationship, but not without acknowledging past shortcomings. The singer recognizes his faults in previous relationships and vows to do his best with this new companion. The lyrics suggest that he is grateful for the positive impact she has had on him already and that he has a deep desire to build something meaningful with her.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a brand new companion
I have found a new partner in life
Man, I'm gonna do my best this time
I am determined to make this relationship work
You know she cools me with her breathin'
Her presence and calming personality have a positive effect on me
Chases away those howlin' bottles of wine
She helps him overcome his alcohol addiction
She fits just like my guitar
She is a perfect match for him
Man, she's near as tall as me
She is similar in many ways to him
She lives way out the d train
She lives far away, possibly in a rural area
But she's texas as can be
She embodies the qualities of a typical Texan
She got a home-spun disposition
She has a simple, down-to-earth personality
Man, she's just as gentle as you please
She is extremely kind and easy-going
She got arms just like two rattle snakes
Her arms are smooth and strong
Legs just like a billow in the breeze
Her legs are graceful and fluid
I want to trace her with my body
He desires to intimately explore her physical form
I want to track her with my mind
He wants to fully understand and deeply connect with her being
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN TOWNES VAN ZANDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind