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 HBOโs New Orleans based show Treme several months before the albumโs 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.
Little Rock 'N' Roller
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess I didn't know you could do that
Lord help me, have I been gone that long
Now, I'm in a truck stop somewhere on the Arkansas line
They got all the big trucks here, boy
You ought to hear the big diesels whine
No, little guy, your daddy won't be home for a while
It's gonna be another couple weeks and another couple thousand miles
So go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Your daddy's up there knockin' 'em dead tonight
One of these days when you're a little older
You can ride the big bus and everything will be alright
Till that day you got your mama to hold you
Don't be afraid when she turns out the light
'Cause I know there's an angel just for rock 'n' rollers
Watchin' over you and your daddy tonight
No, little guy, don't bother your mamma right now
I only got a minute and I called to talk to you anyhow
I know you miss me, God knows I'm thinkin' 'bout you
I got your picture in my wallet, it cheers me up sometimes when I'm blue
Well little guy, I'm gonna have to let you go
You know it's way past your bedtime, and they're tellin' me we gotta roll
And so, go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Your daddy's up there knockin' 'em dead tonight
One of these days when you're a little older
You can ride the big bus and everything will be alright
Till that day you got your mama to hold you
Don't be afraid when she turns out the light
'Cause I know there's an angel just for rock 'n' rollers
Watchin' out for you and your daddy tonight
I know there's an angel just for rock 'n' rollers
Just watchin' over you and your daddy tonight
Go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Steve Earle's song "Little Rock 'N' Roller" is a heartwarming ballad about a musician father who is away from his family while on tour. In the song, he calls his son, who surprisingly answers the phone. He tells his son that he is in a truck stop on the Arkansas line, and that he won't be home for a while. He encourages his son to go to sleep and to not be afraid, knowing that there is an angel watching over all rock 'n' rollers, including him and his son.
The song touches on the sacrifice musicians often face while on the road - being away from their loved ones. The lyrics express the father's love for his son and the pain he feels from being away. The song's title, "Little Rock 'N' Roller," suggests that the father hopes his son will follow in his footsteps.
The song has become popular among parents who travel frequently for work, military personnel, and anyone separated from their loved ones for an extended period. It is a classic example of Earle's exceptional storytelling skills and the depth of his lyrical prowess.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey little guy, I can't believe you answered the phone
I'm surprised and happy to hear you picked up the phone, little one.
I guess I didn't know you could do that
I underestimated your abilities, and I'm sorry for that.
Lord help me, have I been gone that long
I can't believe it's been so long since I've been home.
Now, I'm in a truck stop somewhere on the Arkansas line
I'm in a truck stop in Arkansas, far away from home.
They got all the big trucks here, boy
This truck stop has a lot of heavy-duty vehicles.
You ought to hear the big diesels whine
The sounds of the large diesel engines are impressive, little one.
No, little guy, your daddy won't be home for a while
I'm sorry to say that I won't be home for a few more weeks, son.
It's gonna be another couple weeks and another couple thousand miles
I'll have to travel for many more miles and weeks until I can come back home.
So go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
It's time for you to rest, my little one.
Your daddy's up there knockin' 'em dead tonight
I'm performing and doing great tonight.
One of these days when you're a little older
When you're older, you'll be able to do great things too.
You can ride the big bus and everything will be alright
You'll have the chance to travel and experience wonderful things.
Till that day you got your mama to hold you
Until then, your mother will be there to support and comfort you.
Don't be afraid when she turns out the light
Even when it's dark, you don't have to be scared.
'Cause I know there's an angel just for rock 'n' rollers
I believe that there is an angel taking care of you and me tonight.
Watchin' over you and your daddy tonight
That angel is watching over us and keeping us safe.
No, little guy, don't bother your mamma right now
Please don't interrupt your mother right now, little one.
I only got a minute and I called to talk to you anyhow
I don't have much time, but I wanted to speak to you regardless.
I know you miss me, God knows I'm thinkin' 'bout you
I understand that you miss me, and I think about you all the time too.
I got your picture in my wallet, it cheers me up sometimes when I'm blue
I carry a picture of you in my wallet, and it brightens my mood when I'm feeling down.
Well little guy, I'm gonna have to let you go
Unfortunately, I have to end our conversation now, son.
You know it's way past your bedtime, and they're tellin' me we gotta roll
It's late, and I have to go back on the road. Get some rest, son.
I know there's an angel just for rock 'n' rollers
I believe that there is a special angel for people like us who love rock 'n' roll.
Just watchin' over you and your daddy tonight
That angel is taking care of us tonight.
Go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Goodnight, my little one.
Go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Get some rest, my little rock 'n' roller.
Go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Sweet dreams, my little one.
Go to sleep, little rock 'n' roller
Sleep well, my little rock 'n' roller.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
waitingtoderail
RIP to Justin Townes Earle, whom this song was about
Lori Edwards
Sorry for ur loss ๐
JamesReed Music
I was hoping it was. Wasn't sure. Rest easy JTE
Jen Nichols
Listening to this on repeat tonight as I mark the death of my father, who loved Steve Earle, and would sing this song to us when we were kids. Miss you, Dad. <3
Myron Benally
Honestly I have to say my dad used to play this on the guitar and I used to sing it with him and he will tell me things I didn't understand but now I do because it's been 7/8 yrs since he left and first time listening to it again since October 2nd 2011 ..... R.I.P Dadd...Love&Miss you
Ray Cleaveley
Jen Nichols sorry to hear the passing of your dad .I lost my dad 2 years ago great song I bought this album in 86 when it came out every song on this album is awesome .Steve Earle is the best .
Catherine S. Todd
For any parent that misses their kids... and for the traveling man. Beautiful song!
MrCinder82
My Dad was a long haul driver and he played this before he left when I was a kid. Memories.
Cฬฬhฬฬrฬฬฤญฬsฬฬtฬฬลฬpฬฬhฬฬฤฬrฬฬ L. Sฬคฬฎ cฬคฬฎ oฬคฬฎ tฬคฬฎ tฬคฬฎ
I love this song almost more than any song ever made..
Plax
C Mack me too.