In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
Stealing Electricity
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's deader than yesterday's communion wine
He was trying to getting something he couldn't afford for free
He was just a poor man stealing electricity
His heart when na na na na na na na
10,000 volts and now he's gone
He's hanging on a cross-tire above Babylon
Hey baby ain't that just like you and me
Love is like stealing electricity
Two hearts go na na na na na na na
Na nana na na na na
When the poverty of your spirit and the weakness of your flesh
Go dancing every night through other people's trash
You don't love yourself baby, what the hell you're doing with me
You're gonna burn baby burn stealing electricity
Two hearts go na na na na na na na, na na na na na na na
We all climb so high in search of the kindred soul
Till we grab hold to a live wire up on a highline pole
The laws of nature say you get nothing for free
Love is like stealing Electricity
Two hearts go
Na na na na na na na,
Na na na na na na na
There's a Mexican dead up on a power line
He's deader than yesterday's communion wine
He was trying to getting something he couldn't afford for free
He was just a poor man stealing electricity
His heart when na na na na na na na
His heart when na na na
Na na na na,
Na na na na na na
The song Stealing Electricity by Tom Russell tells the story of a poor Mexican man who is found dead after being electrocuted while trying to steal electricity from a power line. The first verse describes the scene of the dead man hanging on a power line, and the lyrics suggest that he was desperately trying to get something for free that he couldn't afford. The chorus then draws a parallel between the dead man's attempt to steal electricity and the way love can sometimes feel like a similarly futile effort to attain something that belongs to someone else. The second verse explores the idea that poverty and desperation can lead people to make dangerous or self-destructive choices, and suggests that the singer's partner might be doing the same thing by pursuing a relationship with the singer. The final verse echoes the chorus, emphasizing the idea that love is a powerful force, but also a dangerous one that can leave us feeling burned.
The lyrics of Stealing Electricity are poignant and poetic, using the image of a dead man hanging on a power line to explore larger themes of love, poverty, and desperation. The song suggests that these issues are interconnected, and that the desire for something we can't have or can't afford can lead us to make dangerous choices. At the same time, the song acknowledges the power and allure of love, even if it can be unpredictable and risky.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a Mexican dead up on a power line
A Mexican man has died while attempting to steal electricity from a power line.
He's deader than yesterday's communion wine
The man is completely dead and beyond resurrection, resembling the wine consumed during communion.
He was trying to get something he couldn't afford for free
The man was attempting to illegally obtain electricity that he could not afford to pay for.
He was just a poor man stealing electricity
The man was poor and resorted to stealing electricity due to financial difficulties.
His heart went na na na na na na na
The man's heart stopped beating and he passed away.
10,000 volts and now he's gone
The lethal electric current of 10,000 volts caused the man's death.
He's hanging on a cross-tire above Babylon
The man's lifeless body is suspended from a tire on an electrical wire above the polluted city of Babylon.
Hey baby ain't that just like you and me
The dangerous, forbidden, and thrilling aspects of stealing electricity compare to the relationship between the singer and his lover.
Love is like stealing electricity
The experience and emotions of love, like stealing electricity, can be reckless, exhilarating, and dangerous.
Two hearts go na na na na na na na
The two lovers experience intense and indescribable emotions in their relationship, accompanied by a sense of danger or recklessness.
When the poverty of your spirit and the weakness of your flesh
When one's spirit is broken and their physical well-being is compromised,
Go dancing every night through other people's trash
They are forced to look for solutions, distractions, or pleasure in others' discarded and unwanted things.
You don't love yourself baby, what the hell you're doing with me
The singer questions the love and worthiness of his partner, who seems to have self-destructive tendencies and shares them with him.
You're gonna burn baby burn stealing electricity
The act of stealing electricity, like other forms of illegal, immoral, or unethical behavior, will have consequences and lead to punishment.
We all climb so high in search of the kindred soul
We all aspire to find someone who shares our deepest emotions, desires, and values.
Till we grab hold to a live wire up on a highline pole
But sometimes, in our search for connection, we may run into danger or risk, like grabbing a live electrical wire.
The laws of nature say you get nothing for free
Nature follows a logical and fair order, where nothing comes without a cost.
Love is like stealing electricity
The cost of love, like electricity, can be unpredictable, volatile, and deadly, but also empowering and transformative.
Two hearts go na na na na na na na
The two lovers' hearts are still connected and beating, despite the risks and costs they face.
Na na na na na na na, na na na na na na na
Their emotions and love are beyond words and language, expressed only through sounds and rhythms.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: THOMAS GEORGE RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lydia Scullin
There's a Mexican dead on a power line
He's deader than yesterday's communion wine
He was trying to get something he couldn't afford for free
A poor man stealing electricity
His heart when d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da-da
Ten thousand volts, now he's gone
Hanging on a cross high above Babylon
Hey baby, ain't that just like you and me?
Love is like stealing electricity
Two hearts go d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da-da
When the poverty of your spirit and the weakness of your flesh
Go dancing every night through other people's trash
You love yourself women, what the hell you're doing with me
You're gonna burn baby, burn from stealing electricity
Two hearts go d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da-da
We climb so high in search of a kindred soul
Till we grab hold of a live wire up on a high line pole
The laws of nature say you get nothing for free
And love is like stealing electricity
Two hearts go d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da-da
There's a Mexican dead on a power line
He's deader than yesterday's communion wine
He was trying to get something he could not afford for free
A poor man stealing electricity
His heart went d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
D-da, d-da, d-da, d-da, d-da
...
drkskyes
I agree. This is cowboy folk...some more cowboy and some more folk. Very much like Townes Van Zandt. In fact TR says it best in his song, "The death of Jimmy Martin".
Yeah, don't call me no country singer
Those are poison words to me
'Cause I ain't heard a good country song
Since 1973
The King of Bluegrass has died for your sins
The W***e of Babylon is sleepin' in your bed
So God's gonna burn down Nashville tonight, boys,
Cause Jimmy Martin's dead
The great Jimmy Martin's gone dead
Fools179
When you listen to this for the first time, the lyrics hit like a sledgehammer
John Evan Frook
I just heard this on Willie Nelson's satellite radio, and it is a darned good song.
jgcline1
Viva Mexico. Viva America. Viva familia.
mark battenhouse
This is such a cool song, I love it!
Appalachian American
from one poor man to another love this song the lyrics & the music
Bennett Ryan
Still the best love song ever written.
TheThoughtfulwolf
The lyrics are mad genius!!!
Mitchell Brenner
In an alternate universe, this is a hit single!
John Rowan
Mitchell Brenner, In the universal language of love this is a hit single.
DEACON006
I know that universe. It's where Tim and Faith lease a small FedEx truck and carry expedited freight back and forth across the country.