I Ain't Ever Satisfied
Steve Earle Lyrics

I was born by the railroad tracks
I was born into a humble and simple life surrounded by the sights and sounds of the railway.

Well the train whistle wailed and I wailed right back
I was so accustomed to the sound of the trains that I would respond with my own cry, a sign of my connection to the place where I was born.

Well papa left mama when I was quite young
My father abandoned our family when I was still a child, which left a lasting impact on me and my mother.

He said now 'One of these days you're gonna follow me son'
My father's parting words to me were a warning that I would inevitably end up following in his footsteps, something I resented and rebelled against.

Woh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
This is a repeated refrain, expressing my persistent feeling of dissatisfaction and longing for something more.

I ain't ever satisfied
Despite my accomplishments and successes, I have never felt truly fulfilled or content in my life.

Now I had me a woman she was my world
I was deeply in love with a woman who meant everything to me, and I cherished our relationship above all else.

But I ran off with my back street girl
Despite my love for my partner, I was lured away by the excitement and temptation of another woman from a more unconventional and risky background.

Now my back street woman could not be true
In the end, the affair proved to be a mistake, as the other woman was unfaithful and unreliable.

She left me standin' on the boulevard thinkin' bout you
After the breakup, I found myself alone and lost, with only thoughts of my true love to comfort me in my distress.

I got an empty feeling deep inside
No matter what I do or achieve, there is a persistent emptiness and longing that eats away at me from within.

I'm going over to the other side
In my quest for something more, I am willing to take risks and explore new and unconventional paths.

Last night I dreamed I made it to the promise land
In my dreams, I imagine a better and more fulfilling life, an idealized world where all my desires are fulfilled.

I was standin' at the gate and I had the key in my hand
In this dream, I am so close to achieving my desires that I hold the key to the gate of Paradise itself.

Saint Peter said 'Come on in boy, you're finally home'
Even in this dream world, there is a sense of conflict within me, as the voice of authority tells me that I have finally found my true home, but I remain unsatisfied.

I said 'No thanks Pete, I'll just be moving along'
In the end, I reject the promise of Paradise, knowing that my restless spirit will always push me to seek something more, something beyond my current understanding and experience.