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.
Highway Butterfly
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fifteen solid forward gears
They glide like butterflies down the highway
They'll move you down the line
They'll bring you home in time
They'll sing you songs of love returning
He can't play like he used to
But his words still ring true
They curl like dust clouds on the roadside
He's been broken by a heart
But still does not live apart
From all the sorrow he has shown me
Oh our brother's gone away
And don't you wish that he could stay
To walk you to the county line
To see you shining in your time
And don't you wish there was a way
Like a kid who's been out throwing stones
Into a river close to home
I've taught myself to trust the melody
So I sing when I've got time
First to lose and then to find
If I don't make it don't you worry
Oh our brother's gone away
And don't you wish that he could stay
To see you finally settled down
To see your children gathered round
And don't you wish there was a way
The song "Highway Butterfly" by Steve Earle is a deeply introspective look at life, loss, and the passage of time. The lyrics talk about the experience of driving on the open road, with rolling wheels and the smooth glide of a well-oiled machine, referencing the beauty of the moving parts of the engine as it propels the car forward like delicate butterflies. The song also speaks to the pain of loss and the realization that the people we love cannot always be with us. Earle sings about a brother who has gone away, someone he misses and wishes could come back to be with him. Despite the sadness and heartbreak, the song also contains a sense of hope and resilience, with the singer finding solace in music and the memories of their loved ones.
The brother in the song has been broken by a heart, which can be interpreted as a physical or emotional heartbreak. However, despite the difficulties he has faced, the brother still maintains a connection to those around him and continues to share his wisdom and love with those who come into his life. The chorus of the song reinforces the idea that no matter how far we go or what we face in life, there is always a way forward and a way to find peace and happiness.
Overall, "Highway Butterfly" is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the universal experience of loss, love, and the journey of life. It is a reminder that while we may not always get what we want or keep the people we love close to us forever, we can still find joy in the memories and the connections we have made along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep your eyes on them rolling wheels
Focus on the movement of the wheels
Fifteen solid forward gears
The vehicle has many gears for a smooth ride
They glide like butterflies down the highway
The ride is smooth and graceful like that of a butterfly
They'll move you down the line
The vehicle will transport you to your destination
They'll bring you home in time
The vehicle will ensure you get home on time
They'll sing you songs of love returning
The sound of the wheels brings feelings of love and comfort
Oh our brother's gone away
Someone the singer cares about has left
He can't play like he used to
The person is no longer capable of performing as they once did
But his words still ring true
The person's message is still powerful and relevant
They curl like dust clouds on the roadside
The person's words leave a lasting impact
He's been broken by a heart
The person has suffered emotionally
But still does not live apart
Despite their struggles, the person remains a part of the singer's life
From all the sorrow he has shown me
The person has shared their pain with the singer
And don't you wish that he could stay
The singer wishes the person hadn't left
To walk you to the county line
The person was once a source of guidance and support
To see you shining in your time
The person wanted to see the singer succeed
And don't you wish there was a way
The singer wishes there was a solution or alternate outcome
Like a kid who's been out throwing stones
The singer is like a child enjoying a simple pleasure
Into a river close to home
The singer is near a familiar place
I've taught myself to trust the melody
The singer relies on music for comfort and guidance
So I sing when I've got time
The singer takes time to appreciate the simple things
First to lose and then to find
The singer experiences both joy and sadness
If I don't make it don't you worry
The singer isn't concerned about success, just enjoying life
To see you finally settled down
The person wanted to see the singer find stability and happiness
To see your children gathered round
The person wanted to share in the singer's family life
And don't you wish there was a way
The singer still wishes for a solution or alternate outcome
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEAL CASAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Murielle Dalloz
Great tribute !!! Awesome song!
Dirk Kraushaar
And now, long-time friend and band member of Neal's, Jeff Hill is playing bass for Steve Earle and the Dukes. We are all related somehow.... small world. Miss you each day Neal. Thanks for your generosity my friend.
2pie2mash
💛
Chelee Elbon
ðŸ˜
Neal Music
See u when i get there brother