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.
Nothin' but You
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Never seen a good intention that a man could eat"
Well, I got about a million things I need to do
I don't want to think about nothin' but you
[Chorus]
Everybody talk about Maybellene
Yellow rose of Texas and the sweet sixteen
I don't want to think about nothin' but you
I don't need no money, no fancy car
House up on the hill where all the rich folks are
Well, they can have the whiskey, keep the cocaine, too
I don't want to think about nothin' but you
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics to Steve Earle's song Nothin' but You depict a scenario where the singer is deeply in love with someone to the point where they don't want to think about anything else but that person. The first verse, however, starts with the singer reminiscing about the advice his father used to give him, which was to be proactive and not waste time. The father also warns him that intentions alone won't take him far if he doesn't put effort into his actions. But the singer seems to be distracted by love that he doesn't want to do anything but bask in it.
The chorus takes a dig at popular culture by stating the singer's apathy for the signature "Peggy Sue" or "Maybellene" references because they are irrelevant when he is solely focused on his significant other. In the second verse, the singer clearly articulates that he doesn't need money or any other luxurious things which people tend to desire. Instead, he wants to keep it simple and love that one person. The song ends with the chorus being repeated twice, driving the point home that nothing else matters to the singer except his love interest.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy used to tell me "Don't you drag your feet"
My father always told me not to waste my time and to always be productive
"Never seen a good intention that a man could eat"
He believed that having good intentions does not necessarily lead to success
Well, I got about a million things I need to do
I have a lot of tasks and responsibilities that require my attention
I don't want to think about nothin' but you
Despite my busy schedule, you are the only thing on my mind and I cannot focus on anything else
Everybody talk about Maybellene
People often discuss and admire women like Maybellene, who are seen as beautiful and desirable
Yellow rose of Texas and the sweet sixteen
Other women that are often mentioned and glorified include the iconic Yellow Rose of Texas and the coming-of-age Sweet Sixteen
Well, I don't want to hear about no Peggy Sue
However, I do not want to hear any more about Peggy Sue, as she does not interest me
I don't want to think about nothin' but you
My focus remains solely on you and I do not want any distractions or other temptations to sway my feelings
I don't need no money, no fancy car
I do not need any lavish or materialistic possessions to make me happy
House up on the hill where all the rich folks are
Even the lavish lifestyle of wealthy individuals does not interest me if I cannot share it with you
Well, they can have the whiskey, keep the cocaine, too
Even substances like whiskey and cocaine, which are often enjoyed by others, do not compare to the love and satisfaction I feel with you
I don't want to think about nothin' but you
Once again, my thoughts are consumed by you and you alone
Chorus repeated twice
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ruth Boykin
Oh yeah! Lovin' some Steve Earle today!!
Olga Tee
Style of Steve like Buddy Holly
Now who was first❣️
Its lovely💃🕺🌻🌹🌷🌞👌
Erica Leigh Taylor
Brilliant
ControlDocu
GENIAL,,,! HAVE YOU HE EARLY TRACKS FULL? IM FROM ARGENTINA NO COMMIN HERE!
Brent E.
I will stay far away from Argentina. Hope you heard this one down there in your town. I need to remember to click on some of his crucial early stuff to see what needs posting. Be sure to keep your eye on my main channel the winner cuz I’ll post him over there and send it out to Jose and his buddies in Argentina. Thanks
ControlDocu
post here please "the early tracks"...im lisent this in buenos aires..im fan de steve whith my buddies,,,always lsent to steve...(excuseme my lenguaje, i just a spanish boy!