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 HBOâs New Orleans based show Treme several months before the albumâs 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.
Fixin' to Die
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
I'd be tellin' you a lie, if I told you I was treatin' her well
Now I followed her car to the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
I followed her car to the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
Reckon that I'm probably right, prayin' that I'm not
A pistol on the dashboard, whiskey in the cup
Here he come, let 'em get inside and I lit 'em up
Fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
'Cause I shot my baby in the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
And I'm fixin' to die, going to Hell
I'm fixin' to die, and I'm going to Hell
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
Warden walkin' up ahead, preacher there behind
Guard on either side in case my legs unwind
Chains around my ankles, beads around my hands
Walking 'cross the yard never coming back again
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
'Cause I shot my baby in the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
Now I'm fixin' to die, I'm going to Hell
I'm fixin' to die, I'm going to Hell
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
The song "Fixin' to Die" by Steve Earle & the Dukes is a story of murder and its consequences in the afterlife. The singer confesses to his sin of shooting his lover while she was in a hotel. He knows he is heading towards Hell for his actions, and the lyrics show him accepting his fate. He followed her car to the hotel and then shot her there. He was caught and sentenced to death. Now, he walks towards the execution chambers, with the warden, the preacher, and the guards, represented as his escorts to the afterlife.
The song's story speaks of the characters' poor choices and their consequences. The singer is filled with remorse and accepts the consequences of his sin. The lyrics are raw, emotional, and quite descriptive. The vivid descriptions of events, locations, and facets of the characters' journey add depth and weight to the story. The song captures the tragedy of the situation and depicts it with empathy.
Overall, the song "Fixin' to Die" is a powerful narrative that uses music to tell a story of repentance, crime, and punishment. Earle's signature gritty voice and the Dukes' twangy music bring the story to life, making the song an emotional experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
I am aware of my impending death and I believe that I am bound to end up in Hell
I'd be tellin' you a lie, if I told you I was treatin' her well
If I claimed to have treated my lover well, I would be lying
I followed her car to the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
I trailed my lover's vehicle to a hotel called Heaven on the Highway
Sittin' in the shadow across the parking lot
I parked my car in the dark areas of the parking lot
Reckon that I'm probably right, prayin' that I'm not
I assume that I am correct in my suspicions but I hope that I am incorrect
A pistol on the dashboard, whiskey in the cup
I had a gun on my dashboard and was drinking whiskey
Here he come, let 'em get inside and I lit 'em up
When my lover's new lover approached and got into the car, I shot them
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
As a result of my actions, I am on my way to Hell and I know that death is near
'Cause I shot my baby in the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
I killed my lover at the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
Warden walkin' up ahead, preacher there behind
As I walk towards my execution, the prison warden is ahead of me while the preacher is behind me
Guard on either side in case my legs unwind
Guards are walking on either side of me to prevent me from trying to escape
Chains around my ankles, beads around my hands
My ankles are shackled and my hands are adorned with prayer beads
Walking 'cross the yard never coming back again
I am walking through the prison yard and will never return
I'm fixin' to die, reckon I'm going to Hell
I am going to die and I am certain that I will end up in Hell because of my heinous act
Lyrics Š Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steve Earle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@langstongrandma
To the best of my reckoning, these are the words - as usual, he's telling us a story - this one took place at the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
Fixin' to Die
I'm fixin' to die
Reckon I'm goin' to hell.
I'm fixin' to die
Reckon I'm goin' to hell.
I'd be tellin' you a lie
If I told you I was takin' it well.
Now I followed her car to the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
I followed her car to the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
Now I'm fixin' to die
And I reckon I'm goin' to hell.
Sittin' in the shadow cross the parking lot
Reckon that I'm probly right, prayin' that I'm not
Pistol on the dashboard, whiskey in a cup
Here he comes; I'll let 'em get inside
And then I lit 'em up
fixin' to die
Reckon I'm goin' to hell.
I'm fixin' to die
Reckon I'm goin' to hell
Cause I shot my baby in the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
Now I'm fixin to die
Going to hell
Now I'm fixin' to die
Now I'm goin' to hell
Now I'm fixin to die
Reckon I'm goin' to hell.
Warden walkin' up ahead
Preacher there behind
Guard on either side in case my legs unwind
Chains around my ankles
(beads) around my hands
Walk across the yard
Never comin' back again.
Now I'm fixin' to die
Reckon I'm goin' to hell
Now I'm fixin' to die
Reckon I'm goin' to hell
Cause I shot my baby in the Heaven on the Highway Hotel
Now I'm fixin' to die
Now I'm goin' to hell
I'm fixin' to die
Goin' to hell
I'm fixin' to die
Reckon I'm goin' to hell
(scream)
@rosemurphy8296
My favorite singer Steve Earle
@MrPopeye776
This the Pure Outlaw. the Steve Earle ive known and loved for years. rock on steve
@CJBagley
Now this is the Steve Earle I fell in love with years ago...deep, dark, controversial, cerebral...straight up, in your face, uncensored. Can't wait to hear the rest of this album.
@ghost_to_a_ghost
the one person who gave this a "thumbs down" is who this song is about. KICK ASS, EARLE!
@ChanceInHellProductions
This song kicks ALL sorts of ass! Only man alive who can make country music interesting to a guy like me.
@klausrain111
I love nearly all of Steve's songs, this one included. His life and songs are a great inspiration to me and countless others.
@maryjerrolds4351
I like it
@davidmcgrew2789
First time I heard this tune is when I saw Steve at the Horseshoe Casino in tunica, 2nd. Loved it. 12/14/18....
@billyraymac99
Steve's "HELTER SKELTER" Very cool !!!
@gregallder7996
exactly spot on Bill Mc Connell