Invisible
Steve Earle The Dukes ( Duchesses) Lyrics
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'Cause it keeps me connected to the ground when I'm
Feelin' like maybe if I ain't careful I'll just blow away
Then the lightnin' strikes, the thunder rolls and I'm okay
Everywhere I go
People pass me by
They never know 'cause I'm invisible
A footstep just behind
They carry on but I'm invisible
I'm taking my time but I ain't slow
'Cause it ain't like I got anyplace else to go
But there's ghosts in these streets and they're callin' my name
And I follow 'em down in the dark again
An angel bendin' down
To whisper in your ear
You turn around but we're invisible
A rumble underground
Your deepest darkest fear
You hear the sound but they're invisible
Brother can you spare
A dollar and a dime?
The cupboard's bare and I'm invisible
Travel anywhere
You won't ever find
A purer heart 'cause mine's invisible
I'm invisible
The song "Invisible" by Steve Earle and The Dukes & Duchesses is an insightful piece that talks about living life in the shadows and being invisible to people and society. The first stanza of the song speaks about how the singer has a hole in his shoe, but he doesn't mind because it keeps him connected to the ground when he feels like he will blow away. The line "Then the lightnin' strikes, the thunder rolls and I'm okay" conveys the idea that natural disasters like earthquakes or thunderstorms remind us that we're alive, and sometimes that's all that one needs to keep going.
The chorus describes how people pass by without noticing the singer. Being invisible can be a feeling of being left out or ignored, which the song describes as "A shadow hangin' low". The second stanza talks about how ghosts of the past keep pulling the singer down into darkness, which he can't escape. In this stanza, the lyrics suggest that the shadows or feeling invisible can be self-inflicted, and it's challenging to escape from them.
The song's last stanza talks about being invisible from different perspectives, including being invisible to society or the people around us. The line "The cupboard's bare and I'm invisible" conveys the message that people living in poverty may feel invisible to society as those in power don't recognize their struggles. The song ends with a powerful line, "Travel anywhere, you won't ever find a purer heart 'cause mine's invisible," which suggests that the singer's purity of heart is not visible to others.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a hole in my shoe but I don't mind
The singer has a hole in their shoe but it doesn't bother them.
'Cause it keeps me connected to the ground when I'm
The hole in the singer's shoe keeps them feeling connected to the ground.
Feelin' like maybe if I ain't careful I'll just blow away
The singer feels like they might blow away if they're not careful.
Then the lightnin' strikes, the thunder rolls and I'm okay
When there is lightning and thunder, the artist feels okay.
Everywhere I go
The artist goes everywhere.
People pass me by
People ignore the singer.
They never know 'cause I'm invisible
People never notice the singer because they are invisible.
A shadow hangin' low
The artist is like a low-hanging shadow.
A footstep just behind
People pass the artist as if they were just a footstep behind them.
They carry on but I'm invisible
People continue on their way and don't notice the artist.
I'm taking my time but I ain't slow
The singer is not in a hurry but they are not slow either.
'Cause it ain't like I got anyplace else to go
The artist doesn't have any other place to be.
But there's ghosts in these streets and they're callin' my name
The singer hears ghosts calling their name in the streets.
And I follow 'em down in the dark again
The singer follows the ghost down into the dark again.
An angel bendin' down
There is an angel bending down.
To whisper in your ear
The angel whispers in someone's ear.
You turn around but we're invisible
When you look, the angel and speaker are invisible.
A rumble underground
There is a rumble underground.
Your deepest darkest fear
The rumble represents someone's deepest darkest fear.
You hear the sound but they're invisible
People hear the sound of their fear, but the artist and the source of the sound are invisible.
Brother can you spare
The artist is asking their brother for something.
A dollar and a dime?
The artist is asking for a small amount of money.
The cupboard's bare and I'm invisible
The singer is broke and feels invisible.
Travel anywhere
The artist can travel anywhere.
You won't ever find
People will never find.
A purer heart 'cause mine's invisible
The singer has a pure heart but it is invisible and can't be seen by others.
I'm invisible
The singer is invisible.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
aviansoul
Way to go man! I've been homeless, may be headed that way again soon! Folks like you can make a whole day seem kinder in a way! Peace...
countrynuno
This should be on every TV, every minute, every second. This should play on every radio
Skootempaw
Amen Brother, he'll yes it should.
Joanna Backman
Steve Earle continues to speak out for those who cannot find their own voices. God bless him not only for this but for continuing to tell the truth about life's failures.
Martha Langston
God, how I love Steve Earle's songs. This one, as they all do, strikes at the heart.
bluesborn
Anyone who has ever lived on the streets and fallen between the cracks knows how being invisible feels.
Tommy John Ehman
Steve always leaves his heart and soul in every song. This is no exception.
aviansoul
A true poet, Steve. Lives it, then sings it...
daniel morris
I've always loved this song but this is the first time I've seen the video and man, it is powerful. I'm a 55 yr old man and I just burst out in tears during the scene of the homeless man eating from the garbage can. This happens way to often and there is no good reason why with the wealth and abundance we have in North America. So sad and so, so wrong. Btw if anyone is interested this video was written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson, the short silly con who went on the lam with Clooney in the Oh Brother film. What a talented guy. Kudos.
John Mitchell & Sofie Jonsson
daniel morris That's where I started crying too....