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.
Some Dreams
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My daddy told me "Mister,
Don't ever try to climb too high
Cause it's the fall that gets ya
And some dreams can never come true
They'll never come true"
Well, I heard every word he said
But I don't guess I listened
Against the wall or system
Yeah, some dreams don't ever come true
Don't ever come true
But some dreams do
If you just hang on
And your heart is true
And your hope is strong
Well, just because you've been around
And had your poor heart broken
That's no excuse for lyin' there
Before the last word's spoken
Cause some dreams don't ever come true
Don't ever come true
Aw, but some dreams do
When you're feelin' low
And you think you're through
That's when you will know
Yeah, when you wish upon a star
Buddy, don't you miss it
Catch it 'fore it falls too far
Keep it with your secrets
Cause some dreams don't ever come true
Don't ever come true
Don't ever come true
But some dreams do
The song “Some Dreams” by Steve Earle speaks to the idea that while some dreams may never come true, some still can if you hold on to hope and keep your heart true. The opening lines reveal the advice given by the singer’s father when he was young, warning him not to climb too high, because it’s the fall that gets you. The message is clear - be cautious, don’t take unnecessary risks, and don’t get your hopes up too high. However, in the following lines, the singer admits to not listening and banging his head against the wall or system, highlighting the struggle to hold onto hope and pursue his dreams against all odds.
The song is validating for those who have faced setbacks and discouragement, who feel that their dreams will never come true. It acknowledges the pain of heartbreak and the feeling of being through, but offers a glimmer of hope that some dreams can still come true. It encourages listeners to catch their dreams before they fall too far and to hold onto them as a secret, something they can nurture and protect until they can be nurtured into a reality. The repeated chorus, “some dreams don’t ever come true, but some dreams do” offers comfort and the possibility of something better, if one can hold on in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a little guy
At a young age, when I was a child.
My daddy told me "Mister,
My father said to me, addressing me as 'Mister'.
Don't ever try to climb too high
He advised me not to aim for things that may be beyond my reach.
Cause it's the fall that gets ya
He warned me that the risk of failure can result in a significant setback.
And some dreams can never come true
He acknowledged that some aspirations in life may be impossible to achieve.
They'll never come true"
He affirmed that such dreams will indeed never come to fruition.
Well, I heard every word he said
I was attentive to his advice and was all ears to what he had to say.
But I don't guess I listened
However, I did not pay heed to his words.
But every time I banged my head
In hindsight, every time I experienced failure or setbacks.
Against the wall or system
Resulting from the limitations imposed by external factors such as societal norms or regulations.
Yeah, some dreams don't ever come true
As previously acknowledged, certain aspirations in life are unachievable.
But some dreams do
On the other hand, some aspirations can indeed be achieved.
If you just hang on
However, one must persevere through hardships and challenges.
And your heart is true
Believing in oneself and committing to one's aspirations wholeheartedly.
And your hope is strong
Maintaining a positive attitude and keeping one's faith and optimism alive.
Well, just because you've been around
Merely existing does not count as living, nor is it a reason to relinquish one's aspirations.
And had your poor heart broken
Even if one has experienced heartbreak and pain in the past.
That's no excuse for lyin' there
It does not justify giving up and failing to persevere.
Before the last word's spoken
One must continue to strive until the very end.
When you're feelin' low
During moments of despair and hopelessness.
And you think you're through
When you assume you have nothing left to give and are resigned to your fate.
That's when you will know
In these moments, you will come to realize.
Yeah, when you wish upon a star
When you have aspirations and dreams that seem out of reach, like wishing upon a star.
Buddy, don't you miss it
This is an opportunity one should not let go of.
Catch it 'fore it falls too far
One should do their best to seize the moment before it slips away.
Keep it with your secrets
This aspiration should be kept close to your heart and remain confidential.
Don't ever come true
Reiterating that not all aspirations in life can be achieved.
But some dreams do
However, the song emphasizes that some can.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEPHEN F. (FAIN) EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind