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.
San Antonio Girl
Steve Earle Lyrics
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And now I'm out here on this highway goin' crazy without you
I can't help but want you girl, you're young and you're pretty
But somehow I can't see you up in New York City
Gonna leave you alone in your own little world
Won't you be my San Antonio girl?
Be my San Antonio girl
Now I know you've heard the stories bout life in the fast lane
What they didn't tell you is you come home on a slow train
I'd just as soon remember you the way that I found you
Dancin' by yourself with the stars all around you
I'm gonna leave you alone in my own little world
Won't you be my San Antonio girl?
Be my San Antonio girl
Be my, be my, be my San Antonio girl, hey now
Be my San Antonio Girl
Won't you, won't you be my San Antonio Girl?
The song "San Antonio Girl" by Steve Earle is a story of a man who is struggling with his desire for a young and pretty girl from San Antonio. He thinks about her constantly on his travels, but acknowledges that he can't see her fitting in with the fast-paced and busy lifestyle of New York City. Despite his strong attraction to her, he decides to leave her alone in her own little world rather than trying to convince her to leave San Antonio with him. The chorus repeats his plea for her to be his San Antonio girl, suggesting that he will always hold a special place for her in his heart.
The lyrics are full of imagery that captures the romanticism of the Lone Star State, from the dancing of the girl with the stars all around her, to the slow train that brings you home after a wild night out. The contrast between the fast pace of New York City and the slower, more laid back lifestyle of San Antonio is a familiar dichotomy, and the song captures the allure of a simpler way of life.
Earle's smooth, twangy vocals and the upbeat tempo of the song give it a country feel, but the lyrics are more complex than a typical love song. This is a story of longing and heartbreak, of a man who knows he can't have what he wants but can't help wanting it anyway. It's a relatable theme that has resonated with fans of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Since I first saw you I've been thinkin' about you
Ever since I saw you, you’ve been on my mind
And now I'm out here on this highway goin' crazy without you
Being away from you is driving me insane
I can't help but want you girl, you're young and you're pretty
You’re irresistible to me because of your youth and beauty
But somehow I can't see you up in New York City
I can’t imagine you living in New York City with me
Gonna leave you alone in your own little world
I’ll leave you to your own life and not interfere
Won't you be my San Antonio girl?
Will you be my girl from San Antonio?
Now I know you've heard the stories bout life in the fast lane
I’m aware that you’ve heard about the fast-paced life
What they didn't tell you is you come home on a slow train
What they didn’t tell you is that it’s a slow ride back home
I'd just as soon remember you the way that I found you
I want to remember you as I first found you
Dancin' by yourself with the stars all around you
Dancing alone under the stars
Be my San Antonio Girl
Will you be my girl from San Antonio?
Won't you, won't you be my San Antonio Girl?
Will you, please be my girl from San Antonio?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carl Sanderson
Love this tune!
Burt Taylolr
some Tex-Mex Rock for ya