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.
Colorado Girl
Steve Earle Lyrics
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See if I can't find
I'm goin' out to Denver
See if I can't find
That lovin' Colorado girl of mine
The promise in her smile
Shames the mountains tall
Shames the mountains tall
She bring the sun to shining
Tell the rain to fall
It's been a long time, mama,
Since I heard you call my name
Ah, been a long time
Since I heard you call my name
I got to see my Colorado girl again
Be there tomorrow
Mama, don't you cry
Be there tomorrow
Now, mama, don't you cry
I got to kiss these lonesome
Texas blues good-bye
I'm goin' out to to Denver
See if I can't find
I'm goin' out to to Denver
See if I can't find
That lovin' Colorado girl of mine
That lovin' Colorado girl of mine
In Steve Earle's song "Colorado Girl", the singer expresses his longing to reunite with the Colorado girl he loves. He is traveling to Denver to find her, and he hopes to be able to see her smile that can outshine even the tallest mountains. He believes that the Colorado girl can control the elements and bring sunshine or rain at her will.
The singer reflects on the time that has passed since he last heard the Colorado girl call his name. He has been missing her and wants to see her again. He promises his mother that he will be back soon and tells her not to worry. The song concludes with the singer's determination to find his love and be reunited with her in Denver.
"Colorado Girl" is a simple yet evocative song that captures the longing and nostalgia of a man who is searching for his true love. Earle's lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, and the melody is melodic and enjoyable. The song has a wistful undertone that is familiar to anyone who has experienced the pain of separation or loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm goin' out to Denver
I am traveling to Denver
See if I can't find
To search for or locate something or someone
That lovin' Colorado girl of mine
To find the woman he loves in Colorado
The promise in her smile
Her smile holds great potential
Shames the mountains tall
Her confidence and beauty surpasses that of the tall mountains of Colorado
She bring the sun to shining
Her presence brings light to dark situations
Tell the rain to fall
Her influence is powerful enough to control even the weather
It's been a long time, mama,
It has been a significant amount of time since he has been home
Since I heard you call my name
He has not heard his mother calling his name in a long time
I got to see my Colorado girl again
He needs to reunite with his beloved in Colorado
Be there tomorrow
He plans on arriving in Denver quickly
Mama, don't you cry
He wants to reassure his mother and provide comfort
I got to kiss these lonesome Texas blues good-bye
He needs to leave behind his sadness and start anew in Colorado
That lovin' Colorado girl of mine
He is deeply in love with his Colorado girl and needs to find her
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Townes Van Zandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind