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.
The Kind
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody tells him that it won't amount to anything
He fires the shot heard around the world
He wins the prize and he gets the girl
That's the kind of story I like, the kind that makes you think
Sing me a song about a cowboy with an achin' heart
Ridin' along the lonesome prairie 'bout to fall apart
He doesn't feel so all alone
That's the kind of song that I like, the kind that breaks your heart
Paint me a picture of a girl with a secret smile
Lookin' back at ya 'cross the years through ancient eyes
You're standin' there like an open door
Cause she's seen it all before
That's the kind of picture I like, the kind that makes you sigh
In Steve Earle's song "The Kind," he's asking for stories, songs, and pictures that evoke emotions and make you feel something. He wants to hear stories about a fella with a crazy dream who defies the odds and triumphs, songs about cowboys who are heartbroken but find peace in the solitude of the prairie, and pictures of girls with secret smiles who have lived through life's ups and downs. These are the kinds of stories, songs, and pictures that make you think, break your heart, and make you sigh.
This song is not just about wanting to hear stories, songs, and pictures that evoke emotions but also a commentary on the value of art. Earle is saying that these works of art have the power to move us and that's what makes them worth creating and worth experiencing. They help us connect with others and with ourselves, and that's a valuable thing.
Overall, "The Kind" is a call for art that means something and makes us feel something. And it's a reminder that art has the power to impact our lives for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me a story 'bout a fella with a crazy dream
A request to narrate a tale about a man who had an unlikely aspiration.
Everybody tells him that it won't amount to anything
Despite discouragement from everyone, he persisted in his pursuit.
He fires the shot heard around the world
He achieves an astounding feat that reverberates globally.
He wins the prize and he gets the girl
He attains the reward and recognition for his efforts and wins the affection of his desired lady.
That's the kind of story I like, the kind that makes you think
Such tales that inspire and challenge one's beliefs are appealing.
Sing me a song about a cowboy with an achin' heart
A request to hear a melody about a cowboy who is emotionally unwell.
Ridin' along the lonesome prairie 'bout to fall apart
While riding through the deserted grassland, he is on the verge of disintegrating emotionally.
Every time those doggies moan
The howling of the dogs brings comfort to his soul.
He doesn't feel so all alone
The cowboy realizes that he's not the only one who suffers, enabling him to cope with his anguish.
That's the kind of song that I like, the kind that breaks your heart
Such compositions that tug at one's heartstrings and evoke emotions deeply are desirable.
Paint me a picture of a girl with a secret smile
A demand to create a visual work of art featuring a woman with a concealed grin.
Lookin' back at ya 'cross the years through ancient eyes
The girl is retrospectively gazing at the artist through the lens of time and wisdom.
You're standin' there like an open door
The observer is vulnerable and susceptible to the girl's unspoken message.
Cause she's seen it all before
The woman has encountered similar situations, and her knowing smile confirms this.
That's the kind of picture I like, the kind that makes you sigh
Visual art that induces a sigh or a feeling of longing is preferred.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: STEPHEN F. (FAIN) EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Hanlon
reminds me why I love steve earle, simple song played well, never tire of listing to it.
stevie wheatstraw
One of the best and purest expressions expressions of longing and joy...ever.
Faksakes
So upbeat but so heart-renching.
tezzah1973
I once asked Steve to play this song at a concert in the Netherlnds and he said he liked it but had forgotten how to play it, when I offered to show him he promiced that he would come watch me if I ever performed it. Wonderful songwriter and pretty good guy!
annie bellino
my favorite steve earle song :)
Faksakes
One of mine too.
Rareearth27
Love this song - the greatest living American Artist EVER
Melinda Schwakhofer
Thanks for this! I saw him when I was living in Edinburgh. Great gig.
Robert McNabb
excellent!
PatMaBalls
@MDProgger Thanks, man. I was surprised to see it's not here since it's such a good song.