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.

Comin' Around
Steve Earle Lyrics

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Early this mornin' I was washin' my face
Thinkin' â??bout goin' to town
Sick and tired of hangin' around this place
Waitin' on the blues to track me down
Bless my soul maybe I'm comin' around
Been lyin' low but maybe I'm comin' around

I've been runnin' nearly all of my life

Far and as fast as I can
It may sound funny but I'm thinkin' this might
Be about right where I came in
Well I don't know maybe I'm comin' around
Got a ways to go but maybe I'm comin' around
Finally layin' my burden down

One fine day
I'll be free
'Til it comes
I'll go on

My heart's a little ragged but it's all that I got
So I'm gonna give it a try
Ook out world I'm comin' ready or not
I don't want to let you pass me by
Here I go maybe I'm comin' around

I'm a little bit slow but maybe I'm comin' around
Finally layin' my burden down

Overall Meaning

In Steve Earle's song "Comin' Around", the singer describes feeling restless and stuck in his current situation, but recognizing that he might be ready to make a change. He is tired of waiting for something to happen and wants to take control of his life. He acknowledges that he has been running from something for a long time, but now feels that he may have come full circle and is returning to where he started. Despite feeling a little unsure and a little scared, he is ready to give it a try and see where life takes him.

There is a feeling of hope and optimism in the lyrics, as the singer embraces the unknown and faces his fears. He acknowledges that his heart may be "a little ragged", but he is determined to push forward and see what the future holds. Ultimately, he wants to be free from the burdens of his past and live his life to the fullest.

Steve Earle is known for his insightful and deeply personal lyrics, and "Comin' Around" is no exception. The theme of finding one's way and overcoming obstacles is a common thread throughout many of his songs.

Line by Line Meaning

Early this mornin' I was washin' my face
Starting a new day with a fresh mindset.

Thinkin' â??bout goin' to town
Considering new opportunities and experiences.

Sick and tired of hangin' around this place
Feeling stagnated and ready for change.

Waitin' on the blues to track me down
Feeling like life's struggles are bound to catch up.

Bless my soul maybe I'm comin' around
Recognizing that a new perspective may be emerging.

Been lyin' low but maybe I'm comin' around
Acknowledging a period of inactivity but sensing a shift.

I've been runnin' nearly all of my life
Feeling constantly on the move.

Far and as fast as I can
Pushing oneself to the limit.

It may sound funny but I'm thinkin' this might
Realizing that a return to one's roots may be necessary.

Be about right where I came in
Returning to an earlier version of oneself.

Well I don't know maybe I'm comin' around
Expressing uncertainty about the future but hopeful for change.

Got a ways to go but maybe I'm comin' around
Recognizing that the journey is not over but progress is being made.

Finally layin' my burden down
Relinquishing the weight of past struggles.

One fine day
Looking forward to a better future.

I'll be free
Anticipating freedom from current struggles.

'Til it comes
Until that day arrives.

I'll go on
Continuing to persevere.

My heart's a little ragged but it's all that I got
Acknowledging inner struggles but pushing through.

So I'm gonna give it a try
Embracing the uncertainty and taking a chance.

Ook out world I'm comin' ready or not
Announcing readiness to face whatever lies ahead.

I don't want to let you pass me by
Determined not to miss out on opportunities.

Here I go maybe I'm comin' around
Taking the first steps towards a new direction.

I'm a little bit slow but maybe I'm comin' around
Acknowledging progress, even if it is slow.

Finally layin' my burden down
Reiterating a sense of release from past struggles.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JOHN AMES PORTER, LUAN MAUREEN PARLE, PETER GORDENO, RICK MITRA, STEVE BALSAMO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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