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.
F The CC
Steve Earle Lyrics
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And I don't guess
They're listenin' to me no more
They talk too much but that's okay
I don't understand a single word they say
Piss and moan about the immigrants
But donâ??t say nothin' about the president
A democracy don't work that way
So fuck the FCC
Fuck the FBI
Fuck the CIA
Livin' in the motherfuckin' USA
People tell me that I'm paranoid
And I admit I'm gettin'
Pretty nervous, boy
It just gets tougher everyday
To sit around and watch it
While it slips away
Been called a traitor and a patriot
Call me anything you want to but
Just don't forget your history
Dirty Lenny died so we could all be free
The lyrics of Steve Earle's "F The CC" express the frustration and anger of the singer towards the government organizations that have become increasingly controlling in the United States. Earle is lamenting the loss of freedom of speech and the right to protest, which he believes have been eroded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The song also addresses the issue of immigration in America, and how it's often used as a scapegoat to avoid discussing broader issues.
Earle is highlighting the double standards of the government and the media in the United States. He accuses the FCC of censoring the speech of ordinary citizens, while allowing big corporations to spread their propaganda. He is critical of the FBI and CIA for spying on people without justification or accountability. Earle highlights that democracy should not work this way, where only those in power have the right to free speech. He concludes his frustration by expressing his outrage with a chant to "F the FCC, FBI, and CIA, living in the motherfuckin' USA."
Overall, "F The CC" is a powerful statement that reflects the growing frustration and anger of people towards the government's increasing invasion of their privacy and eroding of their freedom of expression.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to listen to the radio
I used to be someone who took in and enjoyed media, especially radio.
And I don't guess They're listenin' to me no more
I don't feel like the media is listening to me or presenting things I agree with like it used to.
They talk too much but that's okay
There is a lot of talk and noise coming from the media but it doesn't really bother me.
I don't understand a single word they say
Despite all the noise, I find it difficult to comprehend media messages and especially the messages being put out by the people in charge.
Piss and moan about the immigrants
Many people in media and politics are quick to complain about immigrants and make their lives more difficult.
But don't say nothin' about the president
At the same time, these people are often very silent about criticizing or speaking ill of the President, even when he's not doing good things.
A democracy don't work that way
In a true democracy, it's important to be able to speak up when you see something wrong or something that needs to be fixed. Not just complain about people who don't have a voice themselves.
I can say anything I wanna say
Luckily, I'm someone who DOES have a voice and can say whatever true things are on my mind about the state of things in the United States today.
So fuck the FCC
Fuck the FBI
Fuck the CIA
Livin' in the motherfuckin' USA
In short, there are a lot of powerful organizations/branches lines that should be doing the right thing in accordance with democracy, but are not. And this makes living in the USA unpleasant and frustrating.
People tell me that I'm paranoid
Many people try to dismiss my opinions and critiques as being those of someone who is too worried or too negative.
And I admit I'm gettin' pretty nervous, boy
Sometimes these criticisms get to me and I do start to feel anxious and worried about the state of the country.
It just gets tougher everyday
To sit around and watch it
While it slips away
As time goes on, it gets harder and harder to see things get worse by the day and feel like there's nothing I can do to stop it.
Been called a traitor and a patriot
People have given me all kinds of labels based on what I say and believe. Some call me unpatriotic or even dangerous.
Call me anything you want to but
Just don't forget your history
Dirty Lenny died so we could all be free
Despite what they call me, I know what's REALLY important is remembering our history and how we got to this moment where free speech was won through people like Lenny Bruce, who was a trailblazing comedian who fought for his right to speak his mind in America. This freedom is something we should cherish and work to preserve at all times, no matter the cost.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind