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.
Home To Houston
Steve Earle Lyrics
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Just like they always did before
With a bulletproof screen on the hood of my truck
And a Bradley on my back door
And I wound her up and shifted her down
And I offered this prayer to my lord
I said "God get me back home to Houston alive
And I won't drive a truck anymore"
Early in the mornin' and I'm rollin' fast
Haulin' nine thousand gallons of high test gas
Sergeant on the radio hollerin' at me
Look out up ahead here come a R.P.G.
If I ever get home to Houston alive
Then I won't drive a truck anymore
I've driven the big rigs for all of my life
And my radio handle's "Train"
Down steep mountain roads on the darkest of nights
I had ice water in my veins
And I come over here 'cause I just didn't care
Now I'm older and wiser by far
If I ever get home to Houston alive
Then I won't drive a truck anymore
Great God A'mighty what was wrong with me
I know the money's good but buddy can't you see
You can't take it with you and that ain't no lie
I don't wanna let 'em get me I'm too young to die
If I ever get home to Houston alive
Then I won't drive a truck anymore
Steve Earle's song Home To Houston tells the story of a truck driver who has been deployed in Basra and is now heading back home. The driver's prayers for safe passage echo as he navigates his way through danger, with a bulletproof screen on the hood of his truck and a Bradley on his back door. The song captures the struggle of being in a high-risk situation while also coming to terms with how the driver's life has been defined by driving a truck.
The first verse sets the tone of the song by referencing the driver's previous deployments and how people wished him well before. However, this time around, there is a sense of finality to his journey. As he drives through the unknown, he offers a prayer to God to help him return home safely. The chorus repeats this sentiment by saying that if he does make it back alive, the driver will give up his career as a truck driver.
The second verse takes us on a journey through the eyes of the truck driver. We see him driving nine thousand gallons of high test gas, hauling the massive load with ease. As he navigates through dangerous territory, his sergeant warns him on the radio about an incoming Rocket Propelled Grenade (R.P.G). The driver's focus and determination are evident as he notes he must make it back home alive.
The final verse shows the singer reflecting on his life choices. He muses that he's driven "big rigs" all his life and has gone by the name "Train" on the radio handles. He acknowledges that he came to Basra because he did not care, but now he recognizes the value of life. The final lines state that the driver doesn't want to die as he's still young, and if he does make it back home, he won't drive a truck anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
When I pulled out of Basra they all wished me luck
At the time of leaving Basra, people wished me good luck as they always do.
Just like they always did before
It was a customary farewell ritual that people used to do early on my previous departures.
With a bulletproof screen on the hood of my truck
For safety purposes, the screen on the truck's hood was bulletproof.
And a Bradley on my back door
For the safety of the convoy, there was a Bradley combat vehicle stationed on the back door.
And I wound her up and shifted her down
I shifted the gear and accelerated the speed of my vehicle.
And I offered this prayer to my lord
I prayed to the almighty for my safety and return to Houston alive.
I said "God get me back home to Houston alive and I won't drive a truck anymore"
I offered a commitment to God that if he brings me back home alive, I will no longer drive a truck.
Early in the mornin' and I'm rollin' fast
In the wee hours of the morning, I was driving fast.
Haulin' nine thousand gallons of high test gas
I was carrying a large amount of high-grade gasoline weighing nine thousand gallons.
Sergeant on the radio hollerin' at me
The sergeant was giving me commands through the radio.
Look out up ahead here come a R.P.G.
I was warned of an incoming rocket-propelled grenade.
If I ever get home to Houston alive, then I won't drive a truck anymore
I repeated the commitment I made earlier that if I return home alive, I would not drive a truck anymore.
I've driven the big rigs for all of my life
I have been driving big vehicles for my entire life.
And my radio handle's "Train"
My radio handle name is "Train".
Down steep mountain roads on the darkest of nights
I have driven big trucks on steep mountain roads during the darkest of nights.
I had ice water in my veins
I had strong nerves and the courage to drive in such rugged conditions.
And I come over here 'cause I just didn't care
I came to this place without care or concern for the danger involved.
Now I'm older and wiser by far
I have gained much experience and wisdom over time.
If I ever get home to Houston alive, then I won't drive a truck anymore
I repeated my commitment to God to not drive a truck if I return alive.
Great God A'mighty what was wrong with me
I questioned what was wrong with me that I risked my life for monetary gains.
I know the money's good but buddy can't you see
Although the wages were attractive, I realized the value of my life was much greater.
You can't take it with you and that ain't no lie
Money can't be taken with you after death, and that's a universal truth.
I don't wanna let 'em get me I'm too young to die
I did not want to lose my life for things that would not last forever as I was still young.
If I ever get home to Houston alive, then I won't drive a truck anymore
For the third time, I reiterated my oath to not drive a truck anymore if I return alive.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEPHEN F. (FAIN) EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind