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.
Loretta
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wheres them seven's on her sleeve
Dances like a diamond shines,
Tells me lies I love to believe
Her age is always twenty two
Her laughing eyes a hazel hue
Spends my money like a water falls
Loves me like I want her too.
Loretta won't you say to me
Darlin' put your guitar on
Have a little shot of booze
Play a blue and wailin' song
My guitar rings a melody
My guitar sings Loretta fine
Long and lazy wild and free
And I can have her any time
Sweetest at the break of day
Prettiest in the setting sun
She don't cry when I can't stay
Atleast not 'till she's all alone
Loretta I won't be gone long
Keep your dancing slippers on
Keep me on your mind a while
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' home
The song "Loretta" by Steve Earle is a ballad about a barroom girl the singer is infatuated with. Her age is always twenty-two, her eyes are hazel, and she tells him lies that he loves to believe. She spends his money like a waterfall and loves him like he wants her to. The singer is a musician and Loretta encourages him to play his guitar and have a drink with her. When he plays, his guitar sings Loretta fine and he can have her anytime. She is the sweetest at the break of day and prettiest in the setting sun. She does not cry when he leaves, at least not until she is alone. He promises to return soon and asks her to keep her dancing slippers on and keep him on her mind.
The song is a tribute to a particular way of life, where barroom girls are admired for their looks, dancing skills, and ability to spin tales. The singer is a musician who lives a wild and free life and returns to Loretta whenever he feels like it. He appreciates her for who she is and indulges in her company whenever he needs a break from his nomadic lifestyle. The song is about enjoying life in the moment and not worrying too much about the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Loretta she's my barroom girl
The singer is in a romantic relationship with Loretta, who he associates with barroom culture.
Wheres them seven's on her sleeve
Loretta wears something with the number seven on it, symbolizing a gambling habit.
Dances like a diamond shines,
Loretta is a great dancer, shining like a diamond when she moves.
Tells me lies I love to believe
Loretta tells the artist lies that he knows are not true but prefers to believe in anyway.
Her age is always twenty two
Loretta never admits to being older than twenty two, suggesting a desire to remain youthful and carefree.
Her laughing eyes a hazel hue
Loretta has hazel eyes that light up when she laughs, charming the singer.
Spends my money like a water falls
Loretta is not financially responsible and spends the singer's money at a rapid rate.
Loves me like I want her too.
Despite her flaws, Loretta loves the artist in the way he desires.
Loretta won't you say to me
The artist addresses Loretta directly, seeking her attention and company.
Darlin' put your guitar on
The artist asks Loretta to join him in playing music with their guitars.
Have a little shot of booze
The singer suggests they have a drink while they play music together.
Play a blue and wailin' song
The artist suggests they play a blues song that is full of emotion and sorrow.
My guitar rings a melody
The singer's guitar produces a melody that matches Loretta's voice.
My guitar sings Loretta fine
The singer's guitar produces music that complements Loretta's musical style and personality.
Long and lazy wild and free
The music they create together is free-spirited and unrestrained.
And I can have her any time
The artist has a sense of power over Loretta and feels he can have her whenever he desires.
Sweetest at the break of day
Loretta is at her sweetest and most appealing in the early morning.
Prettiest in the setting sun
Loretta is at her most beautiful and attractive at sunset.
She don't cry when I can't stay
Loretta does not cry when the singer leaves, showing that she is not dependent on his presence.
Atleast not 'till she's all alone
Loretta only cries when she is alone and has time to reflect on her emotions.
Loretta I won't be gone long
The artist reassures Loretta that he will not be away for an extended period of time.
Keep your dancing slippers on
The artist encourages Loretta to keep dancing and enjoying life while he is gone.
Keep me on your mind a while
The singer wants Loretta to think about him while he is gone.
I'm comin' home, I'm comin' home
The artist promises to return home soon to reunite with Loretta.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kathryn
I got turned on to Steve with Transcendental Blues and got hooked. Therefore I went ISO of any and everything.
I'd never actually bought any of his work so finding this compilation on YouTube introduced me to him. I had no idea of the '80's hair band days nor how truly remarkable he used to look. I saw him live at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA and he was all this and more. Quite the contentious man of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He cares. He really, really, cares.
Pipe Papi
I heard this more than once at the Old Quarter. God bless Townes and Steve. If your out there Rex......Thanks for those great nights at the Old Quarter.
paola
I love this song! thanks for posting.
Nick Braddy
The harmonies kick so much ass!
Mary Barratt
Love this cover, tks for posting.
noname given
Good mix..!
Ron Jeffers
Tappinfoot music