@Kittycatsong120 Me too. He rocks it. My girlfriend says, I must have a thing for him. She may be right. Hair or no hair, I love him, his songs, performances, etc. Sorry he had to go away for quite a while, but he is back now !!
@DoowlufLien wow thats saying a lot it is very good i'm not gonna argue with you about it, check out dax riggs version it is very good too, different but good
Perhaps I came into the discussion a bit late , but there seemed to be a back-and-forth about that particular line being a drug reference. Without a doubt, it most certainly is. But , I do agree that the gist of the overall song is just as you said. "Screw you and all your fancy rich friends. I don't need you anymore." He then proceeds to put down her upper-class lifestyle by and claims better off and more happy in his lower crust situation . That is prevalent in Blues music.
I imagine you had better things to do then read a bunch of comments. :)
The post that started the conversation was that Earle and Townes "missed the point of the song" because they focus on the drug reference, and that the song is "not supposed to be sad." I was disagreeing.
The line is about being holed up in the basement with a needle and spoon , and some of you don't think that's really a drug reference ? Really ? I might be a little too old school , so you youngsters will just have to explain to me how a line in a song that was written by Keith Richards , and references a needle and spoon can be MISINTERPRETED as a drug reference. What other use is there for a needle and spoon ? Both needles and spoons have other uses , but together ? Name one .
To be fair, Roo7227 wasn't saying there is no drug reference, but the song is a "piss off, I don't need you" song more than it is a drug song. I would say it is both, but it is true that the way Mick sings it, he emphasizes the relationship aspect.
Not sure I believe arguments that "dead flowers" and "little susie" are drug references, but Keith is certainly capable of writing a song that has multiple meanings. And emphasizing the addict blues is a perfectly valid interpretation.
I suspect the entire song is by Keith, as it is in the country-blues tradition, which interested Keith, not just the drug references. And as a like other blues songs, it seems to both glorify and recognize the pain of choosing the underground life.
In any case, what irritated me about the initial comments was the implication that Townes and Steve are unthinking in their interpretation, whereas you have the true one. As poets, I am sure they understood the song even as they adapted it.
And that's why I think the song is not really about drugs.. It was obviously Keith's contribution to the song, and not Mick's.. And IMHO, these artists have grabbed ahold of that line with both hands, and run with it, and I always think it's a bit of a shame, cause the is so much more than that.. But you're right, it's open to interpratation, which would make you think these artist would be varied in theirs, lol, but they never are..
Are you going to post that comment on every version of the song? Steve was living this song at the time... throwing away his career for the needle and spoon (for a few years at least) and losing the respect of others. I think he might know something about the emotions behind the song. And even if Mick and Keith saw it differently, there is no "right" interpretation.
@darlincommitme WOW... Just because the song has a line about a needle and a spoon, doesn't necessarily mean it's about heoin.. That's actually my point, right there.. That's all this guy hears (and you), and you can never get passed that line.. The song is about a woman who thinks she got over on the guy, but of course, players like Mick never get played..
And my point is that YOUR opinion has no more authority than any other opinion. The Stones are intentionally coy about the meaning behind their songs, leaving it open to the interpreter. I think the song is about both the woman and drugs, as I said, and it does have a "F" you vibe, but it also seems to me to be about finding solace in drugs. (Really, what else is the needle and spoon?) I would add that I suspect it is by Keith with Gram's influence, not Mick.
I managed to get an original pressing of this album in Nashville, TN. Not sure I can make myself take it out of the original wrapper, but it must be played!
I managed to get an original pressing of this album in Nashville, TN. Not sure I can make myself take it out of the original wrapper, but it must be played!
@DookNun The Stones and Townes do the best lol i have both versions in my favorites! Townes was really good i like his as much as i do the stones and i`m a huge stones fan.
I can't believe it...the stones have been bested at one of their own songs...and i love the stones!!....but I also love steve...what a fuckin' song!!!!!!!!!
As a great lover of the Stones myself (best rock goup ever IMHO) I applaude them for writing this classic. But I think Townes Van Zandt's simple, elegant, accoustic rendition of this great song takes it to another level.
Yes, I agree this is 1 of the best versions. Very few artists sing with such emotion and feelings as Steve Earle who deserves much more recognition and respect.
This is also on the live album, "Shut up and die like an Aviator." I saw steve earle years ago when he opened for bob dylan and this was the last song in his set.
The best thing about this version, is that it was recorded live in Calgary, Canada
BPMONKMAN 2 days ago
ya, and maybe it's you who SUCKS. Steve Earle rocks it and so does shelby Lynn (his sister-in-law) You can"t even kiss their shoes. Fucker
dawnjakeleah 3 months ago
@dawnjakeleah you kick ass, you cool with me
1968jara 3 months ago
@1968jara Thank ya kindly. Love you.
dawnjakeleah 3 months ago
this song is soooo sick!
miggamatch 4 months ago
Comment removed
dawnjakeleah 3 months ago
It was originally done and written by Townes Van Zandt not the Stones
bradleypark1 4 months ago
@bradleypark1
Nope - look it up. The Stones recorded it 20 years before Townes did, and Townes attributes it to the Stones on the album.
darlincommitme 4 months ago
re: the lyrics; anyone know the word "irony"? Anyway, this version is competitive with the best
moscowcharlie1 6 months ago
just love this song, it's a brilliant version of it
MoskvaMorten 7 months ago
great job steve, i've been a fan since guitar town
Kittycatsong120 7 months ago
@Kittycatsong120 Me too. He rocks it. My girlfriend says, I must have a thing for him. She may be right. Hair or no hair, I love him, his songs, performances, etc. Sorry he had to go away for quite a while, but he is back now !!
dawnjakeleah 3 months ago
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OK cover of a great toon. If you are a fan of this song, you should see this version, watch?v=vKOAryfQSqo
This is what a cover of this song should sound like. Just sayin'.
Amhlair 7 months ago
Jesus effing Christ, this blows the Stones' original right out of the water.
DoowlufLien 7 months ago 9
@DoowlufLien wow thats saying a lot it is very good i'm not gonna argue with you about it, check out dax riggs version it is very good too, different but good
be cool take care
acadx 6 months ago
@DoowlufLien I agree.Steve Earle's version is the best one around!
robinandthe7hoods 3 months ago
best version i ever heard, without a doubt!!!! steve can sing anyone's song and sound just as good if not BETTER, loving steve forever <3
terranicole1971 8 months ago
Perhaps I came into the discussion a bit late , but there seemed to be a back-and-forth about that particular line being a drug reference. Without a doubt, it most certainly is. But , I do agree that the gist of the overall song is just as you said. "Screw you and all your fancy rich friends. I don't need you anymore." He then proceeds to put down her upper-class lifestyle by and claims better off and more happy in his lower crust situation . That is prevalent in Blues music.
LJH70122 8 months ago
@LJH70122
I imagine you had better things to do then read a bunch of comments. :)
The post that started the conversation was that Earle and Townes "missed the point of the song" because they focus on the drug reference, and that the song is "not supposed to be sad." I was disagreeing.
darlincommitme 8 months ago
The line is about being holed up in the basement with a needle and spoon , and some of you don't think that's really a drug reference ? Really ? I might be a little too old school , so you youngsters will just have to explain to me how a line in a song that was written by Keith Richards , and references a needle and spoon can be MISINTERPRETED as a drug reference. What other use is there for a needle and spoon ? Both needles and spoons have other uses , but together ? Name one .
LJH70122 9 months ago
@LJH70122
To be fair, Roo7227 wasn't saying there is no drug reference, but the song is a "piss off, I don't need you" song more than it is a drug song. I would say it is both, but it is true that the way Mick sings it, he emphasizes the relationship aspect.
Not sure I believe arguments that "dead flowers" and "little susie" are drug references, but Keith is certainly capable of writing a song that has multiple meanings. And emphasizing the addict blues is a perfectly valid interpretation.
darlincommitme 8 months ago
Townes Van Zandt's version is the definitive of this. It's a completely different level to even the original. It's majestic tragedy.
Mike9MilesFromLeigh 9 months ago
I suspect the entire song is by Keith, as it is in the country-blues tradition, which interested Keith, not just the drug references. And as a like other blues songs, it seems to both glorify and recognize the pain of choosing the underground life.
In any case, what irritated me about the initial comments was the implication that Townes and Steve are unthinking in their interpretation, whereas you have the true one. As poets, I am sure they understood the song even as they adapted it.
darlincommitme 9 months ago
And that's why I think the song is not really about drugs.. It was obviously Keith's contribution to the song, and not Mick's.. And IMHO, these artists have grabbed ahold of that line with both hands, and run with it, and I always think it's a bit of a shame, cause the is so much more than that.. But you're right, it's open to interpratation, which would make you think these artist would be varied in theirs, lol, but they never are..
roo7227 9 months ago
WOW... Another artist who completely missed the point of the song.. It's not supposed to be sad, bro..
roo7227 9 months ago
@roo7227
Are you going to post that comment on every version of the song? Steve was living this song at the time... throwing away his career for the needle and spoon (for a few years at least) and losing the respect of others. I think he might know something about the emotions behind the song. And even if Mick and Keith saw it differently, there is no "right" interpretation.
darlincommitme 9 months ago
@darlincommitme WOW... Just because the song has a line about a needle and a spoon, doesn't necessarily mean it's about heoin.. That's actually my point, right there.. That's all this guy hears (and you), and you can never get passed that line.. The song is about a woman who thinks she got over on the guy, but of course, players like Mick never get played..
roo7227 9 months ago
@roo7227
And my point is that YOUR opinion has no more authority than any other opinion. The Stones are intentionally coy about the meaning behind their songs, leaving it open to the interpreter. I think the song is about both the woman and drugs, as I said, and it does have a "F" you vibe, but it also seems to me to be about finding solace in drugs. (Really, what else is the needle and spoon?) I would add that I suspect it is by Keith with Gram's influence, not Mick.
darlincommitme 9 months ago
thank you.
Bluenose2 9 months ago
I love Steves take on this great song!
MAfiddler 10 months ago
Townes Van Zandt
MrDirtyratmiller 10 months ago
Much as I admire Steve, this one doesn't work for me. It's not a patch on the Stones' original.
tumshfibrox58 10 months ago
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I managed to get an original pressing of this album in Nashville, TN. Not sure I can make myself take it out of the original wrapper, but it must be played!
raggedbreath 11 months ago
I managed to get an original pressing of this album in Nashville, TN. Not sure I can make myself take it out of the original wrapper, but it must be played!
raggedbreath 11 months ago
ill be in my basement room, with a needle and a spoon, and another girl to take the pain away
FozzytheRyan 11 months ago 4
The Big Lebowski's final song!!
Peloponnesiacozz 1 year ago
@Peloponnesiacozz Nope-That's Townes Van Zandt's version.
scumgod13 10 months ago
If no one has heard the album "Townes" by Steve Earle, you really need to hear it! Pancho & Lefty, White Freightliner Blues, Yikes!
paullie56 1 year ago
@paullie56 Steave Earle's good and it's nice he paid tribute to his friend, but for me it's not 1/100th of the quality of the townes tracks.
DookNun 11 months ago
Comment removed
imaStonesFan 10 months ago
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@DookNun The Stones and Townes do the best lol i have both versions in my favorites! Townes was really good i like his as much as i do the stones and i`m a huge stones fan.
imaStonesFan 10 months ago
I can't believe it...the stones have been bested at one of their own songs...and i love the stones!!....but I also love steve...what a fuckin' song!!!!!!!!!
rowdyashell56 1 year ago
@rowdyashell56 Iagree!
robinandthe7hoods 1 year ago
great cover but as a stones fan nobody beats stones version!
plattflytt 1 year ago
@plattflytt
As a great lover of the Stones myself (best rock goup ever IMHO) I applaude them for writing this classic. But I think Townes Van Zandt's simple, elegant, accoustic rendition of this great song takes it to another level.
debelt 1 year ago 2
I love Steve Earle so don't get me wrong, but Townes Van Zandt absolutely owns this song.
dougp4158 1 year ago 3
Steve Earle rocks! The Wire!!
JohnMais 1 year ago
Yes, I agree this is 1 of the best versions. Very few artists sing with such emotion and feelings as Steve Earle who deserves much more recognition and respect.
mclenptp 1 year ago 2
Glad to see that someone finally put this on the YOUTUBE.This is one of the best versions out there.
robinandthe7hoods 1 year ago 14
Comment removed
Tracey1963 1 year ago
Whether it be Steve Earle, The Stones, Guns N Roses, I don't care, I love this song...I want forget to put roses on your grave...Dang!!
Tracey1963 1 year ago
this is an awsome cover
BOOMEROU4 1 year ago
This is also on the live album, "Shut up and die like an Aviator." I saw steve earle years ago when he opened for bob dylan and this was the last song in his set.
rickthaluddite 2 years ago 8
Thanx for the info.
BPMONKMAN 2 years ago
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love this song
BOOMEROU4 2 years ago
w00t! 1st poster!
Great song, great cover by Steve!
bcubed72 2 years ago