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 Usual Time
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just about to lay down
What's that at your backdoor
Did you hear a strange sound, girl?
Honey I just saw your light
Here I come baby
It’s the usual time of the night
I can’t help but want you
Ever since I known ya
I would never hurt you
I don’t want to own you
Girl, I just want to hold you tight
Here I come baby
It’s the usual time of the night
I know you don’t love me
I know you don’t need me
If you ever want me
Just hit on your back porch light
At the usual time of the night
Now I been down to Texas
I been to New Orleans
I was born a rambler
You are gonna haunt my dreams
Any time the wound gets right
Here I come baby
It’s the usual time of the night
I know you don’t love me
I know you don’t need me
If you ever want me
Just leave on your back porch light
At the usual time of night
Here I come
Here I come baby
The lyrics of the song "The Usual Time" by Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchesses) talks about a man who is about to lay down and hears a strange sound at his lover's back door. He decides to go to her and confesses his desire for her. He tells her that he doesn't want to own her, but he can't help but want her. The man emphasizes that he knows she doesn't love him, but if she ever needs him, she should signal him by leaving the back porch light on at the usual time of the night.
The lyrics portray a situation where the man is aware that he's not what the woman desires or needs, but he still wants her. He doesn't want to pressure her and respects her independence, but he's there for her if she ever needs him. The song's melody and Earle's passionate delivery add to the song's atmosphere of yearning and desire.
Overall, the song's lyrics depict a complex and emotional relationship where one person wants more than the other. It's an honest portrayal of an unbalanced relationship where both people are aware of the discrepancy but still hold onto their feelings for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
It's late in the evening
The time of day is becoming night.
Just about to lay down
I'm getting ready to go to bed.
What's that at your backdoor
Have you heard a strange noise coming from your backdoor?
Did you hear a strange sound, girl?
I'm wondering if you heard the same thing.
Honey I just saw your light
I noticed your light was on.
Here I come baby
I'm coming to see you.
It’s the usual time of the night
It's not unusual for me to come see you at night.
I can’t help but want you
I can't resist my desire for you.
Ever since I known ya
I've wanted you since the first time we met.
I would never hurt you
I would never intentionally harm you.
I don’t want to own you
I don't want to possess you.
Girl, I just want to hold you tight
I just want to embrace you closely.
I know you don’t love me
I'm aware that you don't have romantic feelings for me.
I know you don’t need me
I understand that you don't rely on me for anything.
If you ever want me
If you ever want my company.
Just hit on your back porch light
Just turn on the light by the back door.
At the usual time of the night
During our regular meeting time.
Now I been down to Texas
I've traveled to Texas.
I been to New Orleans
I've also visited New Orleans.
I was born a rambler
I was born to explore and wander.
You are gonna haunt my dreams
You will always be in my thoughts and memories.
Any time the wound gets right
Whenever the time feels perfect.
Here I come baby
I'm on my way to you.
It’s the usual time of the night
As per usual, it's night time when I come to see you.
If you ever want me
If you ever need me.
Just leave on your back porch light
Just leave the light on by the back door.
At the usual time of night
During our regular meeting time.
Here I come
I'm on my way.
Here I come baby
I'm coming to see you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joannehack7588
Sounds like a cool Sonny Terry and Brownie tune😎
@ivanhusseinomalley2264
Another reason to stay alive--------to see what Steve Earle will put out next!
@joannehack7588
🌝
@BigDtootall
Thats Earle baby!
@Candy-of2hq
I would never hurt you I don't wanna own you.
@patrickfallon6976
Buster Brown Fannie Mae same harmonica this is one of my favorite SE albums love it he just keep bringing it
@6Stringmeister
Keeping the shuffle alive
@joannehack7588
🌒
@michellenierling9089
LOVE LOVE LOVE
@carlvieira9649
that's it....that's pretty Good ....good ol' friends. ...