Chris Masterson and
Ele… Read Full Bio ↴The Dukes are Steve Earle's backing band:
Chris Masterson and
Eleanor Whitmore (aka The Mastersons),
[artists]Ricky Ray Jackson,
Jeff Hill,
Brad Pemberton
While makeup of The Dukes is fluid, SteveEarle.net lists recent members including Eric Ambel, Kelly Looney, and Will Rigby. Past members include such luminaries as Buddy Miller, Norman Blake, Mark Stuart, sister Stacey Earle, and the artist's son Justin Townes Earle.
Angry Young Man
Steve Earle & The Dukes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So much time spent in so little space
What looked like the world through the eyes of a child
Kind of closes in on you after awhile
It's a place to grow up and a place to grow old
You keep your mouth shut and you do what you're told
I told mama the day that I ran
This ain't no place for an angry young man
Mama if you could see me right now
You'd be so sure you failed me somehow
Mama you never could understand
There ain't no peace for an angry young man
A cheap hotel a long way from my home
So many people make you feel so alone
Dreams die easy out here in these streets
And hearts grow cold in the city heat
I ain't never been the patient kind
I got to live like I please or die trying
At a filling station with a gun in my hand
The only way for an angry young man
Got a lot of memories tied up in this place
Tonight they're staring me right in the face
A lonely grave on the outskirts of town
It's three in the morning, ain't no one around
Just like a ghost I come out of the night
But I'll be gone before the morning light
Mama I hope that you understand
This ain't no place for an angry young man
The lyrics of "Angry Young Man" by Steve Earle & The Dukes vividly describe the struggle of growing up, feeling constrained, and losing hope. The first stanza expresses the disillusionment of adulthood, where individuals feel the weight of responsibilities and the reality of what the world truly is. As one gets older, the world that once seemed big and endless through the eyes of a child somehow seems to shrink and close in on them as they become aware of their constraints. The lines "It's a place to grow up and a place to grow old / You keep your mouth shut and you do what you're told" convey the mundanity of life in a small town, where conformity to expectations is vital for survival.
The second stanza furthers the idea of disconnection and the deep sense of isolation that creeps in amidst so many faces. Earle sings of his inability to be patient and his need to live life on his terms, even if it means resorting to violence in some instances. The chorus attests to the conviction of the young man that his mother would never understand his pain and reinforces the theme of isolation.
The final stanza is the most emotionally damning, as it portrays the young man's loss of innocence while seeking freedom. The images of a lonely grave and a ghostly figure evoke a sense of despair and hopelessness. The last line of this song, "This ain't no place for an angry young man," encapsulates the central idea of the song, which is a plea to be heard, understood, and helped.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a lot of memories tied up in this place
This place holds a lot of memories for me.
So much time spent in so little space
I've been here a long time and it feels cramped.
What looked like the world through the eyes of a child
As a child, this place seemed like the whole world to me.
Kind of closes in on you after awhile
But now it feels suffocating.
It's a place to grow up and a place to grow old
This is a place for childhood and aging.
You keep your mouth shut and you do what you're told
To survive here, you have to follow the rules.
I told mama the day that I ran
When I left home, I told my mother.
This ain't no place for an angry young man
This place isn't good for someone like me with a lot of anger.
Mama if you could see me right now
If my mother could see me now,
You'd be so sure you failed me somehow
She'd think she did something wrong.
Mama you never could understand
But she could never really understand.
There ain't no peace for an angry young man
It's hard to find peace when you're angry and young.
A cheap hotel a long way from my home
I'm staying in a cheap hotel far from where I grew up.
So many people make you feel so alone
There are so many people, yet I feel so lonely.
Dreams die easy out here in these streets
It's easy for dreams to die in the harsh reality of the streets.
And hearts grow cold in the city heat
People become cold and indifferent in this city.
I ain't never been the patient kind
I've never been a patient person.
I got to live like I please or die trying
I feel like I have to live life on my own terms or die trying.
At a filling station with a gun in my hand
I once held a gun at a gas station.
The only way for an angry young man
That seemed like the only way for someone like me.
Tonight they're staring me right in the face
Tonight, all these memories are confronting me.
A lonely grave on the outskirts of town
I see a lonely grave on the edge of town.
It's three in the morning, ain't no one around
It's 3am and no one is here.
Just like a ghost I come out of the night
I feel like a ghost, appearing out of nowhere.
But I'll be gone before the morning light
But I won't be here for long.
Mama I hope that you understand
I hope that my mother will understand.
This ain't no place for an angry young man
This is no place for someone like me, who struggles with anger.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EARLE, MCMEANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shirlee Paul
on It's All Up To You
awesome song..