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.
White Freightliner Blues
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen to them big trucks whine
I'm goin out on the highway
Listen to them big trucks whine
White freight liner
Won't you steal away my mind
Ah, New Mexico ain't bad, lord
And the people there they treat you kind
Well, it's bad news from houston
Half my friends are dying
Well, it's bad news from houston
Half my friends are dying
Ah, Lord, I'm gonna ramble
Till I get back to where I came
Ah, Lord, I'm gonna ramble
Till I get back to where I came
I'm goin out on the highway
Listen to them big trucks whine
I'm goin out on the highway
Listen to them big trucks whine
Steve Earle's song "White Freight Liner Blues" paints a poetic picture of the life of a truck driver. The lyrics of the song speak to the longing for freedom that comes from being behind the wheel of a big rig, to the point where the singer's mind is stolen away by the sound of the trucks whining on the highway. The song starts with the singer's admission that they're going out on the highway to listen to the big trucks and their engines, displaying a palpable excitement for the journey they're embarking on. From the opening line, it's clear that the singer is seeking solace in the open road and the freedom that comes from driving.
The song then shifts to the singer's experiences in New Mexico, describing the people as kind and the state as "not bad." It's a brief pause in the action of the song, providing a moment of calm before the eventual return to the big rigs and the highway. The song then takes a darker turn with the revelation that the singer has received bad news from Houston, where half of their friends are dying. This juxtaposition of light and dark moments underscores the unpredictability and the highs and lows of life on the road.
The song ends with the singer's declaration that they're going to ramble until they get back to where they came from. It's a strong statement of intent that encapsulates the idea that, for the singer, driving is more than just a job or a means of transportation - it's a way of life. Overall, "White Freight Liner Blues" is a poignant and introspective look into the life of a truck driver, showcasing the triumphs and struggles that are part of this unique lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm goin out on the highway
I'm leaving my current location and taking to the open road for a journey
Listen to them big trucks whine
I am focused on the sound of the large trucks moving along the highway
White freight liner
A specific type of commercial truck that is frequently seen on the highway
Won't you steal away my mind
The artist is so enamored with the idea of the open road and trucking that he wants it to take over his thoughts
Ah, New Mexico ain't bad, lord
The artist has stopped in New Mexico and enjoys the location
And the people there they treat you kind
The locals in New Mexico are friendly and welcoming
Well, it's bad news from houston
News from Houston is not good
Half my friends are dying
The artist has received news that many of his friends in Houston are passing away
Ah, Lord, I'm gonna ramble
The artist is determined to continue traveling and exploring
Till I get back to where I came
The artist is planning to continue journeying until he returns home
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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