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.
South Nashville Blues
Steve Earle Lyrics
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I went downtown, it was just to ease my pain
I ended up out walkin' in the rain
I took my pistol and a hundred dollar bill
I took my pistol and a hundred dollar bill
I had everything I need to get me killed
Southside gals, they suit me just fine
Southside gals, they suit me just fine
As long as I got money they don't whine
Now the devil lives on Lewis Street I swear
Yeah the devil lives on Lewis Street I swear
I seen him rockin' in his rockin' chair
I start way up top of Lewis Street
I walk down to the end
I start way up top and I walk down to the end
I'm goin' way down in the bottoms
I come back up again
Now Mama told me, Papa too
They both talked til they turned blue
But I got them ol' South Nashville blues again
I won't be satisfied until they lock me up again
The song "South Nashville Blues" by Steve Earle is a blues-rock ballad that tells a story of a man in search of a temporary escape from his troubles. The first verse begins with the singer walking downtown to ease the pain. He takes his pistol and a hundred-dollar bill, implying that he is looking for trouble or that he is prepared for it. The singer ends up walking in the rain, suggesting that he did not find what he was looking for, or that his plan failed.
The second verse suggests that the singer's troubles might be related to women. He talks about how he likes the southside gals, insinuating that they do not demand much from him as long as he has money. The next verse introduces the devil, who according to the singer, lives on Lewis Street. The rocking chair might be a metaphor for the devil's relaxed nature as he watches the singer walk past him. The last verse implies that the singer has been warned by his parents but he cannot resist going back to his old ways. He claims that he won't be satisfied until he is locked up again.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, but they can be seen as a commentary on addiction or a reflection on the societal and cultural environment of South Nashville. The song's rhythm and melody are typical of blues-rock songs, and it follows a similar structure to other narrative-driven ballads. Steve Earle's delivery is powerful and passionate, adding to the song's emotional depth.
Line by Line Meaning
I went downtown, it was just to ease my pain
I was feeling low and headed downtown to distract myself
I ended up out walkin' in the rain
The rain hit while I was downtown and I ended up walking around in it
I took my pistol and a hundred dollar bill
I brought my gun and some cash for whatever may come my way
I had everything I need to get me killed
I realized my choices could lead to my own undoing
Southside gals, they suit me just fine
I have a preference for the women on the south side of town
As long as I got money they don't whine
I can keep these women happy as long as I have money to give them
Now the devil lives on Lewis Street I swear
I know I shouldn't, but I can't help feeling like the devil is all around us
Yeah the devil lives on Lewis Street I swear
I'm convinced that the worst of humanity can be found on that one street
I seen him rockin' in his rockin' chair
I swear I've seen him with my own eyes, sitting and watching everything go by
I start way up top of Lewis Street
I make my way to the top of the street to start my journey
I walk down to the end
I stroll all the way down to the other end of the street, taking everything in
I'm goin' way down in the bottoms
I head down to the poorest part of town, where things can get even rougher
I come back up again
Eventually, I make my way back up, but the sights and sounds stay with me
Now Mama told me, Papa too
My parents have warned me about the dangers of life in this city
They both talked til they turned blue
They've talked my ear off trying to get through to me, but to no avail
But I got them ol' South Nashville blues again
I can't help but feel pulled back to this place, despite the risks and warnings
I won't be satisfied until they lock me up again
I know where my actions are leading me, but I can't stop myself from craving that thrill once more
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind