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.
When I Fall
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On my way to another lonesome town
I thought I might see the first light of a new day
As it lay like fool's gold on the ground
[Chorus]
But whenever I'm feelin' low
I won't have to cry alone I know
If I soar above the clouds and then
I come crashin' back to earth again
You will catch me when I fall
All these years I've watched you trip and stumble
There were times that I feared that you were lost
But every tear that I dried after you tumbled
Comes to mind when I'm considerin' the cost
[Chorus]
In my heart there's a place for you to run to
Anytime you're tired and hurt and blue
For my part I have only to remind you
You will find me waiting when you do
[Chorus]
Steve Earle's song "When I Fall" is a beautiful tribute to a true friendship. The lyrics describe a moment when the singer is on his way to yet another lonely town, but sees a glimmer of hope in the first light of a new day. The chorus then comes in with a message of comfort and support, stating that whenever the singer feels low, he won't have to cry alone – his friend will always be there to answer his call and catch him when he falls. The second verse turns the focus to the friend, describing the times when they stumbled and how the singer was there to help them back up. The friendship is clearly a two-way street, as the singer reminds his friend that there's always a place for them to run to in his heart.
Overall, the song is a beautiful reminder of the importance of friendship and support in difficult times. The imagery of the dark deserted highway and the first light of a new day serve as powerful metaphors for the ups and downs of life, and the chorus provides a comforting message that no matter what happens, we're never truly alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Late at night on some dark deserted highway
During a quiet and lonely night, while driving on an empty road
On my way to another lonesome town
Heading towards yet another desolate place
I thought I might see the first light of a new day
Hoping to witness the beginning of a fresh start
As it lay like fool's gold on the ground
Like a trick, the shiny illusion was revealed to be worthless
But whenever I'm feelin' low
When I'm in distress and feeling down
I won't have to cry alone I know
I am reassured that I will not suffer alone
'Cause you will answer when I call
Because you will be there to support me when I reach out
If I soar above the clouds and then
If I achieve success and rise above expectations
I come crashin' back to earth again
But end up failing and falling back down
You will catch me when I fall
I'm comforted by the belief that you will be there to pick me up
All these years I've watched you trip and stumble
Over the years, I have observed you falter and make mistakes
There were times that I feared that you were lost
During those moments, it felt like you were beyond help
But every tear that I dried after you tumbled
Each time I helped you get back up, despite the setback
Comes to mind when I'm considerin' the cost
Recalling these incidents makes me think about the price of our actions
In my heart there's a place for you to run to
A deep and special place inside me where you can always go to for sanctuary
Anytime you're tired and hurt and blue
Whenever you feel exhausted, in pain or emotionally drained
For my part I have only to remind you
My job is to only point it out to you
You will find me waiting when you do
Whenever you decide to come back to that special place, I'll be there waiting
[Chorus]
The repeated verse in the song that emphasizes its central theme
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind