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.
Day's Aren't Long Enough
Steve Earle Lyrics
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Another circle 'round the sun
Another thousand tears have fallen
I don't ever count 'em 'cause
I'm surrounded by your love
And days are never long enough
Four more seasons on parade
But that won't happen to us, darlin'
We'll remember how it was
Then begin again because
Days are never long enough
Time's never late
Isn't bound by our fate
Try as we may
Love might never be found if we wait
Until the sun comes up
On another day my love
Days are never long enough
Time's never late
Isn't bound by our fate
Try as we may
Love might never be found if we wait
Until the sun comes up
On another day my love
Days are never long enough
Steve Earle's song "Days Aren't Long Enough" is a poignant expression of yearning and longing for more time with a loved one. The song's opening lines introduce the idea of time passing and contrast it with the emotions of the singer - another year has come and gone, another circle 'round the sun, another thousand tears have fallen. The singer is surrounded by love, but is still feeling the passing of time acutely. The line "I don't ever count 'em 'cause" suggests that the singer is trying to avoid the reality of time's passage.
The second verse introduces the idea of seasons changing and fading, but the singer believes that their love will not fade as the seasons do. They will remember how it was and begin again. The refrain of "days are never long enough" reinforces the idea that time is fleeting and there is never enough of it with a loved one. The lines "Time's never late / Isn't bound by our fate" suggest that time is not under our control and we cannot predict how much of it we will have with the people we love.
The song's final verse returns to the theme of time and love, with the singer acknowledging that love might never be found if we wait for another day. They know that the days they have are precious and they want to make the most of them. The song ends on a powerful note, emphasizing that time waits for no one and we must cherish the moments we have with those we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Another year has come and gone
Another 365 days have passed by
Another circle 'round the sun
Another revolution of the Earth around the Sun
Another thousand tears have fallen
A lot of tears have been shed
I don't ever count 'em 'cause
The singer doesn't keep track of how many tears have been shed
I'm surrounded by your love
The singer feels loved and supported
And days are never long enough
Time flies when the singer is with their loved one
Four more seasons on parade
The four seasons of the year are passing one after another
Show their colors then they fade
Each season has its own colors and beauty, but they don't last forever
But that won't happen to us, darlin'
The singer and their loved one won't fade away like the seasons
We'll remember how it was
The memories of their love will be cherished
Then begin again because
They will continue to love and create more memories
Days are never long enough
Time passes by too quickly when they are together
Time's never late
Time is always constant and on schedule
Isn't bound by our fate
Time doesn't depend on our destiny or fortune
Try as we may
Despite our efforts
Love might never be found if we wait
Waiting for love may not lead to finding it
Until the sun comes up
Until a new day begins
On another day my love
Another chance for love to blossom
Days are never long enough
Time passes too quickly when waiting for love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE EARLE, ALLISON MOORER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind