If it was in my power I'd step into the light
Candles on the altar, penny in your shoe
Walk upon the water - transcendental blues.
Happy ever after 'til the day you die
Careful what you ask for, you don't know 'til you try
Hands are in your pockets, starin' at your shoes
Wishin' you could stop it - transcendental blues.
If I had it my way, everything would change
Out here on this highway the rules are still the same
Back roads never carry you where you want 'em to
They leave you standin' there with them ol'
Transcendental Blues.
Stephen Fain Earle (; born January 17, 1955) is an American country, rock and folk singer-songwriter. He began his career as a songwriter in Nashville and released his first EP in 1982.
Earle's breakthrough album was the 1986 debut album Guitar Town; the eponymous lead single peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot Country chart. Since then, he has released 20 more studio albums and received three Grammy awards each for Best Contemporary Folk Album; he has four additional nominations in the same category. "Copperhead Road" was released in 1988 and is his bestselling single; it peaked on its initial release at number 10 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and had a 21st-century resurgence reaching number 15 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, buoyed by vigorous online sales. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Levon Helm, The Highwaymen, Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Shawn Colvin, Bob Seger, Percy Sledge, Dailey & Vincent, and Emmylou Harris.
Earle has appeared in film and television, most notably as recurring characters in HBO's critically acclaimed shows The Wire and Treme. He has also written a novel, a play, and a book of short stories. Earle is the father of singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle with whom he frequently collaborated.
Oh please, you're trying too hard. Are you one of his ex-wives?
Where else would you hear this kind of stuff on a radio station eh?
Lovely stuff.
I just disagree with every point made, as is my right.
8 from me
I don't usually get to listen using my best gear and I had this rated kind of "meh", but with good gear I realize I was missing depth and layers that I really enjoy.
I've experienced that same effect on a number of songs but this one surprised me.
Transcendental is the right way to name it.
Salutations to the soon-to-be defunct Coyote FM. When you were good, you gave me Charlie Sexton, Arc Angels, "Bridge of Sighs," and Jessie Colin-Young. When you were bad, you still gave me "Seagull" by Bad Company and "Conquistador" by Procol Harum.
I'll miss you. Dammit.
I live in a place where music is pretty cut and dried - we get the top forty. There was once a wonderful station, pioneered by Ken Sutherland and Rich Bryan, and it was called Coyote FM. I had my first taste of Steve Earle's "Transcendental Blues" and "The Revolution Starts Now." Lots of other stuff, too. It was a little piece of paradise, in its day. Coyote bites the dust August 1, after having changed formats several times in an effort to survive.
Salutations to the soon-to-be defunct Coyote FM. When you were good, you gave me Charlie Sexton, Arc Angels, "Bridge of Sighs," and Jessie Colin-Young. When you were bad, you still gave me "Seagull" by Bad Company and "Conquistador" by Procol Harum.
I'll miss you. Dammit.
We miss you too, Cynaera!
Oh please, you're trying too hard. Are you one of his ex-wives?
7 for me. One for each of his wives.
I actually saw Son Volt open for Steve Earle in Asheville back around 2000, so you're probably onto something.