Steve Earle on The Letterman Show

[snieni]

Great Steve Earle! I love this man.

[daffodil97]

huey the tramp talking about rasicm

[jacknewp]

Steve Earle - One of my most favorite singer/songwriters of all time....but he needs to shave that head finally - instead of hanging on to the scraps of a once powerful civilization, just scrape it off and go SLY!! Steve - you rule!!

[HillbillyProduction1]

ive never seen a mandolin like hes playin

[nilradem]

@HillbillyProduction1

Steve is playing a bouzouki - similar to a mandolin, but lower pitched.

[HillbillyProduction1]

@nilradem ohh ok

[ozzyrefugees]

australia could learn a lot from this song,they always complaining about 'the boat people'

[darianev]

That back up singer is his wile, Alison Moorer.

[varmitrifle]

steve hits that backup singer!!!!

[LRooster4Prez]

what did he do with his money....he did not age well.......he still has a powerful voice and more talent than most of nashville combined

[teamfat666]

@LRooster4Prez

More talent than most of Nashville - yes indeed. One of my favorite YouTube music vids is, oddly enough, from the Letterman show. Earle, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff, Nanci Griffith, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, and several others I've forgotten doing Clark's "Desperadoes Waiting for a Train" Such an AMAZING amount of talent gathered together. Wow.

[LRooster4Prez]

Yep that was a great Vid.

[LRooster4Prez]

@teamfat666 Yep that's a great video, on Letterman

[princessofhesse]

@LRooster4Prez well, i heard him say once he put "about a million dollars up his arm," meaning, i reckon, the heroin he used in his day.....didn't age well?????? well, sweetie, talk to me when you are 56, Steve's got 2 yrs on me and i don't think i look too bad....and you are right, he's got more talent than Nashville, esp. most of the yay-hoos today, have in their guitar picks.....way more.......always the best....

[LRooster4Prez]

@princessofhesse I've got him by a year or 2, I never had a million to shoot up my arm and am still pretty rough.

[princessofhesse]

@LRooster4Prez welll, i'm a recovering addict, too, no hard core dope, just the stuff the drs. gave me for horrific migraines and back disease, it all snowballed on me though, i liked the vicodin too much.....but, you do sound pretty tough!! And, Steve continues to inspire me greatly, he's on tour now, don't know where you are, but hope you get to see him...he will be here in Minneapolis July 23, waiting for tickets to go on sale!! Take care.

[aswtx75]

He always seems to find the perfect sound to help carry the narrative. If you heard this song without words, you would almost know what it was about. He's one of the best, if not the best, at doing that.

[MrMagoo79]

I don't know - are you sure? I think we all are immigrants - including the native Americans, because 'native' is pretty relative to a point in history. There was a time when they immigrated here too. Today - we should all simply be Americans.

[charly1233]

what's the name of the bald pianist who was at the start of the video, because he was too in the blues brothers film !!

[noeljmcampbell]

Paul Shaffer?

[nensejer]

uh actually "we" would include Native Americans. They were just the first immigrants. Homosapien developed in Africa and then spread out from there. In addition many groups had to pass through North America to get to South America. So if you look at Native Americans as separate tribes as one should (since they viewed themselves this way), then the descendants of the original humans to pass through North America are probably down in Tierra del Fuego.

[eblunot]

try reading the "Hopi Book of the Dead" - it mind open your mind to other possibilities than traditionally accepted but unproven "facts" promoted by archaeology proffessors who don't dare rock the boat.

[zoarces]

Steve's one of the best! Saw him last year doing a solo acoustic show and it was amazing! Love this song. Only wish he'd ditch that annoying prick Paul Schaffer for this performance though, haha

[EFISHANT]

saw him last night - FANFUCKINGTASTIC! a little too much prostletizin! That's ok though!

I wish he'd lose the comb-over! hA!

[aikido7]

Too much proseletyzing. He should sing more about cities WITHOUT immigrants. By singing "all of us are immigrants" he is telling a LIBERAL LIE. We are NOT all immigrants. We all came from the same place. He should take his comb over and go back to Russia.

[acrookedaxis1984]

Keep your stupid biggot comments to yourself asshole ..we are all immigrants..your an Ignorant fool to think the contrary you probably dont even know the meaning of the word (proseletyzing)

[Roundhead70024]

I get what hes doing but not a fan of the song. Great artist though

[RealTime88]

Steve Earle's music since 9/11 has been that of Bruce Springsteen's. He sings about unity, peace, and love for America. We are all of immigrants. His band is soo amazing!!! The more love you give to the world the more you get. Go Steve Earle!!!!!!

[THEKINKS08]

well, you're right, but the great Steve used to sing about this even before 9/11. a good example was the beautiful song "Christmas in Washington", from his album El Corazon, where he "talk" with Woody Guthrie, and he hopes in a possible Woody's comesback, to help the american people in troubles with the George Bush administration. or in Billy Austin from "The hard Way", a great song against the capital sentence. he' s the original hardcore trobadour. Great man.

[NYCESOL11211]

El Corazon was released in 1997, so I doubt the album had anything to do with George W. Bush.

[THEKINKS08]

Right. Sorry, my bad on there.

[ClassicCity17]

This is better than the studio version!

[rogerthehat]

great track

[snazzysmoo]

cant get this song out of my head,love it.snazzy

[mkevinm]

nice song,like it more every time i hear it..thanks for posting it...peace...m____

[geppe111]

We all love you in Sweden Steve!

[rebelskull18]

dont hate cuz i tell the truth! i love americana, and i like early Steve Earl but he is trying to make a political stance in every song, and this song is shit!

[rebelskull18]

nice haircut! you can feel that he wanted to make the most obnoxious LiBERAL song ever... He hasn't had an album sell 200,000 copies in 17 years. I can see why. This was terrible.

[fullfloat]

What shitty music do listen then

[moe17moe]

rebelskull: 1. haircut? it's music fool.

2. so your no liberal? who gives a f*ck.

A songwiter can speak his mind .Therefore also in his own goddamn written songs.

3. Steve is NOT about record sales. he has as much fans in America as in Europe, all his shows here in holland are sold out.

[toterola451]

Me and 75,000 other people thought he was pretty groovy at HSB 7 in Golden Gate Park, too.

If you don't like Steve's politics, listen to someone you agree with. I dare say David Allan Coe and Toby Keith would fit the bill.

[MontrealMo66]

hey, no budy cares about wat you have to say u dumb dickhead. now why dont u gopiss off so i dont have to waste my time with pathetic assholes like u

[rsensorat3]

So I'm sittin here at work without my pants on...now what do I do.

Great song though.

[brittaineric]

Looks like Steve needs to get back on the H before the fat bastard has a hart attack

[PaddyGarciasPistol]

looks like you need to get on the H so you can OD and rid the world of your stupid ass.

[RealTime88]

Great song from Steve Earle!!! He speaks the truth and he loves his country like many libreals like me he speaks the truth. Steve Earle my friend you are amazing!!!

[setanta333]

ATTENTION,,,,if you want to hear Steves best song which is takeing Europe by storm read on.He is now topping the charts with a brilliant fun loving Irish song and I challenge anyone to say they are not hooked on it.Its called Galway girl,you can listen to it here on youtube,,,TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE,,,enjoy

[juanduque71]

He's a great songwriter because he was always a great songwriter - not because he "lived the life" of "walked the walk" or whatever. The "tortured poet" is great DESPITE the torture, not because of it. Sure, it's all informed by his life experience, but it ain't that he wrote this stuff BECAUSE he was once in bad straits! Like (the once respected) Flavor Flav says: Don't believe the hype!

[funk67]

Brilliant my friend...From Steve Earle to Flavor Flavor Flav.Yeeee Boyyeeeeee.... But I agree people are born with this in them.respect amigo.

[bufantas]

Letterman is chickenshit for what he did to Bill Hicks. Love steve , tho he needs a haircut

[ghai38]

Nice to see Steve getting some serious airplay on TLS no less. I love this song, it´s a deceptively simple song that Steve just has the knack for writing. His and Allison Moorer go well together. In fact , I love the the whole album - it's laced with great tracks, my particular favorite being Sparkle & Shine.

[budzkarz]

Most people just don`t get it. He`s the real f#*%ing deal. Rock on Steve FUCK the F.C.C.

[caswellbay01]

What an eloquent reply! Do you think you help people switch on to Steve Earle (as they ought to) by writing such dross?

[budzkarz]

hey caswellbay01

It is much better to remain silent and be thought a fool,,than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt. Is that eloquent enough for your wanna be ass ???? Rock on Steve

[caswellbay01]

Still no originality I see. Try something original with apostrophes!

Anyway, enough of this - we should be praising Steve and encouraging others to listen to his songs. I just don't think it helps if people read a comment and think he's just for the foul-mouthed illiterates of this world.

[jimdandygo]

this isn't original, but only in america!!!

[SusannTx]

I agree, it's probably because he lived the life he did he can write so well.

The Stones did their best work when they were all addicts.

BTW Allison Moorer rocks! What a great voice she has. And her sister ain't bad either! LOL

[ryanroye]

Go out and buy 'Washington Square Serenade' right away.  It is probably his best work yet...I've played it non stop for the past 2 days!!!

[titch69p]

like a good wine he just gets better with age a fantastic singer/songwriter

[Bdasef]

Steve Earle's cd "Washington Square Serenade" (2007)is awesome!! I like all the songs, but I am particularly fond of "Satellite Radio".

[bigtallbiscuit]

I agree, all of his albums are awesome. As far as I'm concerned, he can do no wrong. On Washington Square Serenade, make sure to check out Steve's Hammer (for Pete), too.

[Bdasef]

Yes! I love "Hammer" I checked it out before your msg here. I'm a huge (new) fan all the way around. He's up front about his life, that's called honesty & being REAL. That's how we grow, get throught it then get over it! Some people can't do that, pity for them. Steve has already achieved more than I can imagine in a lifetime, not to mention what he's put on himself in his early years. He's made it, that's it. May God Bless Him!

[lnoble3178]

It is a shame that most people can't get by past his demons and seemingly self-destructive behavior. The truth of the matter is that it's his life that makes his music great. He didn't just write his songs, he's lived them, breathed them and died with them. There aren't many like him out there. Love him while you can.

[indygochild]

Well said. Steve Earle is a living legend and I never tire of his music. The world is better for him being in it.

[dukenashrob]

AMen to that. THe guy's a legend -  ALways has - Always Will!!

[BartShore]

That was great

[budchub867]

that blonde chick in the background is fine.

[mandolinbobdawg]

go straight to 3:11, she is smokin

[Bdasef]

Noticed Steve kissed her at the end??? It's because..she's his wife! She's Allison Moorer. :)

[Bdasef]

The chick is his wife, Allison Moorer.

[lanphleasc]

Its a pity that Letterman is so boring....

US tv is dead and buried once Letterman is all there is....everything is saccharine...

and empty humour to boot.

[mraff1983]

Saw him a couple of years ago and seeing him again when he comes back to london in Feb, Good song but he looks like Father Christmas!!!

[princessofhesse]

@mraff1983 hope you get to see him again on this tour, my friend, he will be here in MN in July, already saving up for my tickets...have been a huge, huge fan for a long while, Steve and i are of the same vintage.....i was born in TX and we grew up pretty close to each other......he's a great inspiration to so many of us and i pray he lives to be 200 yrs old....

[MNK1958]

The man has his finger on the pulse. Great performance, great song.

[alphuez]

Couldn't agree more. And a useful sentiment as well.

Steve is the Real Deal, and always has been.

Amongst all the pap, a combination of courage, authenticity and enormous talent are still trumps. :-) Kudos to Letterman as well for having him on...

[sproketface]

Amen !

[albertanetch]

Steve has never strayed from the truth he see's, for that he has been given the gift of insight. He has always's been there for guidance, have we all been enlightened? Well after watching this performance we trully are enlightened! My the Creator bless you and keep up with what Steve is up too.

[Scholarius]

Great video, great song. Steve Earle has been a great songwriter for quite some time.

Go see Olbermann's latest Bush-bashing rant on Crooks and Liars (.com) because YouTube is REJECTING it as an upload.

LONG LIVE THE TRUTH-TELLERS!

[randyflats]

I don't know if Steve wrote this song or not, but his feeling that he puts into the delivery is outstanding ! This guy came up thru some pretty rough roads to get his dues..Love his songs..I think he wants to really feel the pulse of NYC... peace, Randy

[RealTime88]

He writes most of his own material.

[sahmbedah]

Steve is a king among men!

[princessofhesse]

i was born and raised in Texas, not too far from where Steve grew up for the most part...i am proud to be a Texan, along with a lot of a lot of other folks, and Steve just gets better and better and better...incredible.....wow...­come back to Minneapolis, too, Steve.....we love you!

[t4texas]

I love this FU Lou Dobbs song from Steve. When people give me grief for the fact that Texas nurtured the current president (well-deserved grief that) I can always cite Steve as a Texan I am damned proud of!  Always look forward to your coming back around this way Steve!!

[hazelbays]

Great song, great performance. I gotta wonder what the people watching Letterman who don't know anything about steve must have been thinking. Makes me laugh.

[alphuez]

So well said, t4texas (...tforTennessee").

S.E. = one TRUE Texan. God love him!

[garzaeduardo]

so paul is playing a harmonium, what is steve playing?

[hazelbays]

Steve is playing, I believe, a bazooki (sp?) It is a greek instrument, similiar to a mandolin in the way it is tuned, but larger, with a more resonant tone.

[bigdjindustriez]

it's actually spelled bouzouki...but yea that's what it is

[marknancyg]

i'm sure Steve is hurt by the negative comments. It must be hard for him to wake up everyday and look at his wife. How does your wife compare to her. I'd rather be ugly and have a hot wife then be a hottie and have a ugly wife. Steve was actually voted one of the sexiest men by People magazine in the mid 80'2

[garzaeduardo]

when the genes kick in you'll look like your dad too.strong song.

[bwahhhhhhh]

steve earle is a fucking badass

[intracoast]

First off, intentional or not...he looks like Allen Ginsburg. Appearances aside, even the most hardcore fans cannot think this is his best work. Not bad though. Guitar Town aside, I think his best work was done on the Mountain. IMHO.

[bigdjindustriez]

the album he did with the Del McCoury band was the best I've seen. my favorite for sure

[intracoast]

Agreed. When I first heard a cut from The Mountain I thought, wow, cool Steve Earle really reached deep into the Appalachian songbook and picked out some great tunes. When I learned he wrote all the songs himself, I was just astonished. Plus bluegrass music really suits him.

[bigdjindustriez]

My favorites were Texas Eagle, Dixieland and Pilgrim..that's some great songwriting..and Del's band just made it that much greater. Theres something that I really like about a wind instrument with a banjo, it has a really cool sound

[salmaaj]

i must admit that steve earl is the most handsome musician ever,never liked the boy band style.i was so sad to see him so old like this.why he looks this way he is not that old.i love all his songs and his style.he is gorgeous but i wish he'll return good looking as he was before.

[25SLH]

If you're such a big fan of his music, what the hell does it matter how he looks? He's never done anything to please the whims of others and I don't see why he should start now.  If you judge an artist by his hair, you're obviously missing the point. Don't buy into this bullshit that people are supposed to look a certain way. His music speaks for itself. Get over it!

[bigdjindustriez]

I Agree fully my friend, but from the standpoint of regular people in this shallow "fashion" oriented culture of today (which I have no part of), if you don't have nice clothes or nice hair, you're nobody. It's pretty stupid, but thats the way the little teenagers who think they know everything, think these days.

[markussupermaus]

I think Steve looks cool anyway. I like his big beard. He seems to have put some weight back on too, he was trim and clean shaven when the last album was being promoted. As you say though, it really doesn't matter what he looks like. Can you imagine Steve getting signed if he had just started out now? Or (as much as I hate him) Phil Collins? They would never, ever be signed these days because of the way they look.

[jayhawks69]

great song, but his hair sucks BIG TIME!!

[unrepentant42]

Just for those wondering as to why he looks like this, he has to have the long hair and beard for his role in the US Drama "The Wire" and when he finishes filming towards the end of the year, he has said in many interviews, the hair and the beard will come off.

[jashby2]

I dig it! One of the Dust Brothers produced the album I believe. Can't wait till it hits the stores. Hey, is that Randy Jackson on percussion?

[d77danny]

cool beat

[dylantrent61]

This is Wicked, Can't wait to see him in Seattle.

[beezuzu47]

Great Stuff!! Thanks for posting...

To the negative comments... Who gives a damn what he looks like? It's Steve Earle for God's Sake!!

[godfatherNYC]

GREAT SONG!!! nice to see the sweet kiss for Allison his wife at the end.

I love the NYC influence on the music Steve!!! YOU RULE!!!

-kevin from NYCSmoke

[rob9304]

Love the song - got to disagree with digeorge - its right up there with some of his best - and wishing him relapse - idiot

but I do have to agree about the hair - yikes - Steve

suck it up and get a haircut - its sad but it happens

[streakomean]

As always, Steve Earle delivers:) Beautiful

[isocom]

Been waiting for a new song forever. Thank you, this was just great!

[catworship]

I loved this! Thanks for posting! Steve is the man! And I love his look!

[dlgeorge]

Damn! How the mighty fall, this is just pathetic. This from the man that wrote MOFTB or Copperhead Rd. Perhaps he needs to relapse and join Hair Club For Men. F**K. Sorry Stevie...

[agfk08]

thanks clint . jimmy scotland

[unrepentant42]

Thanks! You said you were going to upload this and you certainly kept your word! Nice job and a good version of the song. It will be interesting to see how this line up will pull off the other songs on the new album...

[ick1999]

You're great! Thanks for uploading! Been looking for this since first thing is morning!