Steve Earle - Billy Austin (1991 on New Country)

[MrBerettaPX4Storm]

Righteous - thanks for posting. one of Earles best

[19Latham]

Poor bastard is so messed up, and still sounds this good!

[TheJunior424]

been listening to this song for 20 years and still ove of my favorites!

[Clovergirl49]

Chilling!! Felt like I was having a conversation with a condemned man.

[nonirockify]

@ unrentant42

He may have looked bad; wouldn't you? So what, he was a drug addict- big fucking deal. Life experience usually equates to better songwriting. And if you don't like what he has put out since, then you haven't 'matured' as the fine wine Steve Earle has. Never met a song I didn't like and holy hell I like Steve Earle

[darlincommitme]

@nonirockify Ihave to defend unrepentant. If you took a moment to look at his channel you would realize he doesn't need any lectures about Steve's talent. He is known to us Steve fans, has personal connections to the Dukes, and posted many videos of Steve.

He was merely responding to another comment, and never said he didn't like the later music, just that he likes the earlier better. There was no need on your part to be pissy. Maybe next time try "thank you for uploading."

[nonirockify]

@darlincommitme I don't believe I was lecturing - just expressing a point of view. I'm glad 'unrepentant is known to 'us' Steve fans. I respect his opinion, I just disagree. talking about being 'pissy' amazes me how comments on this site degenerate into personal attacks so quickly. Regarding Steve's D & A abuse, I'm not condoning it but the experience has, of course, contributed to the person who he is now which comes out in his songwriting. I hope that is acceptable to 'you' Steve Earle fans

[darlincommitme]

Respond to this video...

And Steve is the first to say, in many interviews, that the drugs and risky behavior did not make him a better songwriter.

[nonirockify]

@darlincommitme Rereading what I wrote, i WILL apologise to Unrepentant - I can be- it was a throw away line bc I personally believe that while Steve's earlier work is amazing, I like the execution of his work better now. They are all amazing songs. There should be no 'us' about Steve fans - what, I don't belong to 'the gang' ?! Weird, I'm happy you know people close to Steve but it doesn't mean that I like him any less. Very elitist.

[darlincommitme]

@nonirockify

I was responding to the insinuation that he was immature and didn't know Steve's music well enough to judge. Apology warranted. But I owe you one for sounding elitist. Certainly you are part of any "gang". It was just a way of saying I know this guy and he knows the music well. There is an internet fan crowd that knows each other from an old yahoo group (I am pretty new to that myself) and from the message board on Steve's site.

I also agree that I like later Steve best.

[nonirockify]

@darlincommitme Cool, everybody happy. Makes you aware how stuff comes out written that you didn't mean.

All that's left to say is that this one of my fave Steve songs; so thankyou very muchly 'unrepentant'.

[darlincommitme]

@nonirockify

Yep - it is easy to misunderstand or be misunderstood in these brief comments. Peace. Enjoy the music.  Hope you get to see him this tour. I saw him a few weeks ago and am loving the new band.

[darlincommitme]

@nonirockify

Oops - just checked and see that you are in Australia - guess you will have to hope he adds some dates down under!

[Jackvermillian]

Outstanding song. I worked the death row unit at Holman prison for over 23 years, and can definately relate to this.

[spoildn8410]

Guess he didn't know what else to do.

Austin, I mean. Not exacty an Alan Jackson song. The opacity is not

there.

.

.

[snieni]

I love this song. Thank you!!

[tsyetsq]

Knock i toff theres more to comew

[metallicatt316]

I know Steve was all strung out on heroin during this period but he sure did look sexy.

[jimrocksout]

This video is great. Steve Earle at what was his best songwriting days. I love this song and this performance. Yeah, he may have been on the junk, but his music has influenced me as a singer and songwriter. Gotta love Steve man.

[dustindeshields]

best song writer of the last 30 years...awesome song

[Stevieray451]

What a gift to find this on here, so haunting...

[MountainGyspy]

He was such a handsome man back in the day. But at about 2:00 into this video, you can see the darkness in his eyes. I see that same look in my brothers eyes today.

[darlincommitme]

@MountainGyspy

I hope your brother makes it through like Steve did. Peace.

[porterchas]

Doesn't feel like it was written, but like it was told. Beautiful.

[freddysthedevil]

can someone please post esmiraldas hollywood i cant find it anywhere.

[MickDoherty1981]

Damn what a song done brilliantly definitely one of my faves, just gets the emotions flowing through ya when u hear this. Which is what REAL music is meant to do. Its Meant to touch the soul.

[coldrockdaspot]

I was lucky enough to see Steve and The Dukes perform this live in 1990 and it was breath taking.

[GeoDubya1]

I saw Steve way back in Santa Cruz Ca in the 8os in a small club. I liked his music so well I ran out and bout a guitar just like the one here I still have it. Steve Earle and the Dukes best band Ive seen live to this day

[belljar777]

god this is so good. steve in his prime. <3

[offin16]

he's playin in uk next week

[TheBradtad]

amazing



[whiteAK47]

guys a legend my no1 singer since i was 14 years old and i was born in 1985 just wish i could see him here in the uk in concert before one of us dies ;)

<3

[TheChavil]

one of the best country songs my ears have heard

[lisasullharr]

Seen him in concert more times than I can count since '89. This has always been my favorite song, but all his work is brilliant. Probably one of the most underrated musicians of this era.

[MrSunlazer]

Great show last night. Thanks for coming to Oneonta NY.

[probinson1337]

Steve was in the midst of the darkness at this point. He and Townes were horribly destructive influences on each other in spite of their tragicomical efforts to "clean each other up". It happened the way it was supposed to, Townes died on New Years like he always said he would, Steve went down the drain and came back up purer and stronger than ever. The first 2 songs he wrote sober were "Goodbye" and "Fort Worth Blues". Hell, his best songwriting days are still ahead of him.

[jaybowcott]

@vonpiro dude you gotta get into ryan adams and laura marling and neil young then.. You obviously havent dug deep into this genre.. its a beautiful thing..

not to mention blue rodeo..

[Freakster1970]

Steve Earle from the mid 90s onwards was just amazing! Great album after great album. Not that his early stuff was shabby. This is one of his CLASSICS!

[makopoint]

UNREAL  THANKS.

[vonpiro]

wow.. i just "discover" this guy, great music for a genre of music i dislike

[drydenthedark]

i love this song!

[drydenthedark]

this song gets me everytime!

[mikeclaw]

Amaing performance of an amazing song by an amazing songwriter.

[westlakeprobert]

A superb song v the death penalty!

I'm the nephew of an executed man who was innocent! His death has echoed thro' my family for 60 years! Tim died in England in 1950 and didn't 'walk the mile'! It took 9 seconds from the condemned cell to the drop! It was still a long walk for him!

Would any of you have walked with him? Would you have pulled the lever?

[djdonnie68]

the best singer songwriter barre none!!!!!!

[TheZiggy47]

@djdonnie68 right on bro barrenone the man is amusical genius

[shanethepain1]

Top notch spooky folk song...Mr Earle makes you believe every word, every syllable, and hang on his every breath while spinning this modern American tale of tragedy, woe, murder, & regret. In my opinion, Steve Earle is simply one of the best damned songwriters of all time, transcending category, genre, & musical styles with the greatest of ease, ability, & conviction....a true American legend.

[valverdista]

Blow my mind, break my heart, tears my eyes, along with Goodbye and Ft. Worth Blues this is my fav Steve Earle song.

[bigduallywheels]

This is the best part of the song.. So when the preacher comes to get me

And they shave off all my hair

Could you take that long walk with me

[grantbear]

the last verse of this song just hits home hard ....great song

[HeavensGremlin]

Just brilliant.....

[LoserSusie]

Thank you for posting this - my favourite song of Steve's and done acoustically - mindblowing. This was 1990. By '91 the darkness was arrivng...

[unrepentant42]

It was actually recorded and broadcast very early in 1991, I saw him 6 months later acoustic in London days before his lights went out and wow, did he look bad....

[lisasullharr]

@unrepentant42 Seen him on every tour since 89. He really did hit bottom but he brought himself back and his music just keeps getting better and better - although this will always be my favorite song. He wrote an autobiography called Hardcore Troubadour. It's a great read.

[darlincommitme]

@lisasullharr

Hardcore Troubadour isn't an autobiography, it is a biography by Lauren St. John. Well worth reading for any Earle fan, but I would take it with a grain of salt. David McGee also has a biography, which focuses more on the music.

[lisasullharr]

@darlincommitme Just figured that out when I passed the book along to the friend. I enjoyed reading it though. Was at most of the Houston shows mentioned.. my first one was the Club Excess show where he played for close to 3 hours. It was amazing.

[nilradem]

@lisasullharr

Steve DID write a collection of short stories, Doghouse Roses. It is fiction, but several stories clearly have biographical elements, especially the first, which is about an addicted country-rock musician.

[loudenm]

@unrepentant42 Yeah, I think he's pretty high singing this. Thought this was near the end.

[princessofhesse]

@unrepentant42 hello my friend! this is an incredible video and yes, God bless Steve, at this time he was in really bad shape, fighting his demons. Thank God he lived through it all and is still here with us, gracing our lives yet with his incredible talents.

[junglestud]

I think he was a great songwriter during his "drug" years. But then he got even better when he cleaned up, which is a rare thing. Look at the rolling stones for example. Anyhow, Steve is an inspiration to all who have walked that road.

[shakey64]

I ve watched this over and over and over here over the years at YouTube. What a moving performance from Steve Earle. One of my favorite songs from him.

[stormnintynine]

what can i say hes the real king

[princessofhesse]

the boy was dope sick and could still play a guitar and sing like no other on earth....God bless his soul and thanks to God for sparing him for us...

[rebelsdoit69]

to perform like this being spun at the same time had to be a chore. he's good

[princessofhesse]

as a recovering addict myself, i can tell you, life isn't easy high...it isn't easy sober for that matter, but God gave Steve Earle a special place in the world, thank heavens he lived to be a part of it all.

[markschuttsss]

He is the best songwriter,,on earth!!!!!awesome he is,,,,,,,,

[fishatendofthepole]

could you take that long walk with me?

would you walk with the black, brown and poor?

How did Steve come to understand the depths of humanity the way that he has?

[TSaxman74]

@fishatendofthepole Pay the dues, sing the blues. He has.

[keirs12]

good lyrics sung with a lot of feeling makes for good music

[littlefeat1987]

man he can write one hell of a song

[ashnroger]

Steve Earle is one of the GREATS

[killerbendi]

It was´nt only a hit, my friend. That whas it.. and his good... Steve, he maid a point, and is good. And when he asks a bout heroes... wel he be mine

[habsfan101010]

Glad that Steve got his shit together but his live performances in the mid 80's-early 90's years were absolutely epic. 29 shows and counting and he's never disappointed.

[brandonmai55]

Thank you for posting. I love this song.

[xroads64]

man, he was in bad shape around this time

[eggface420]

hats off to steve man .....

[craigosaurus]

this performance blows my mind. absolutely amazing. one of my fav songwriters of all time.

[DrummerBoyJason]

@ 5:37, chills every time.

Steve is a real successor to the country and folk artists whose music really meant something and had something to say that is worth saying and needs hearing.

[bluebanshee3]

5:12, my. this man doesn't just tell the story with his music (beautifully)--i think he really becomes the story for a while, it's just in him. something else.

[Xzhadowhawkx]

Nothing will ever meet this ...lyrics, music or otherwise....wish I's written it!!!

[sherlock72]

Must be one of the best lyrics ever produced, Steve Earle is quality from top to toe.....

[Death2You]

This is heavy. What a beautiful song.

[lammy444]

Thanks for this, it's one of my favourite songs. I love the studio version but I reckon this is even better.

[killerbendi]

My favourite for many years. TX. And Steve!!! welcome back to Norway. You are the best.

[pasystem56]

this song gives me chills,this sng is how my life could've been...how it was..how i was.i was ten when this sng came out.i didnt hear it till i was 25...i was like wow....thats me...if i dnt get it together...

[anderbroadman]

I remember watching this back when I was 17. For some reason, we had a telly in one of the rooms in our cadet hut. Secreting myself away from the mischief the others would have been getting, I'll never forget Steve perform.

The performance left me chilled to the bone. The songs subject really sunk in.

[karljc1960]

BRILLIANT . Makes u think

[2345876]

Not afraid to admit it, damn this song sends a shiver down my spine and tear down my cheek everytime. Beautiful.

[roositje]

Nice song!

[gigglydookie]

"my name is billy austin,

i'm 29 years old,

i was born in oklahoma,

quarter cheroke i'm told,

don't rememver oklahoma,

been so long since i left home,

seems like i've always been in prison,

like i've always been alone"

i absolutely adore this song. it makes me cry!

[Moosaroo]

Perfect white man blues. One of my favorite songs ever.

[LagoonsidePictures]

What the hell?!!!! This was the greatest vid ever until it cut off too soon. I need the "...I'm told." Please put up the full song.

[gigglydookie]

i need the "I'm told" AS WELL! IT@S JUST NOT RIGHT!!

[killerbendi]

THE best song in the world. Pro or not.. just love it.

[r0xyd3cals]

love this song!! our student teacher sang it to us! in grade 7

[ramblinokie80]

What a bad ass student teacher you had!

[kissindee]

this song makes me think of my friend...whos been 10yrs on death row

[rainkinggw]

Man it is amazing the music he was making then... this is way ahead of the times in '91. Truly a great songwriter.

[karlsenguitar]

Steve at his best.

[c1o2o3k4]

I heard this song in government

[is112890]

hehe me too. You have fernandez huh?

[Bdasef]

Steve Earle is an American Boy...He rocks, huh? :)

[Bdasef]

Steve sings this story with what I'd refer to as "soul wrenching" feeling. I know he's against the death penalty & that's okay for him, his right to chose. It would make perfect sense too, but does anyone know if he is also Pro-Life? I think a lot of Steve Earle & would love to see him. Thanks for this video!

[mammutly]

Your one of those 'live and let live' people, except when it comes to vengence.

[MetaLisa]

a great story teller. hes right into human rights, and this is his way

[JaydeeJerk]

Thanks for posting this video but can you now remove it....I listen to it several times a night,every night for months and months and after listening to it I want to hear it again!

Am I going mad or is it just that good?

[dainbramage777]

you're going sane my friend, that's all :)

[Japa182]

Awesome

[stevicusmaximus]

Saw him at Glastonbury a few years back. Fantastic.

[mjuhanil]

I've seen him in concert 4 times and he only sang "billy austin" one time. he truly is the world's greatest song writer. Thanks for posting this video

[princessofhesse]

rich always finds the best stuff to put up here...i've seen Steve three times now, he's incredible...God bless him...and rich, too, of course

[ohtoowrx]

It's crazy only 2730 people have watched this video.

Great music, can't be copied!

[JustPlainDB]

This is chilling.

[Kidkel69]

awesome performer

[offalorry]

cry every time i hear this

i love steve earle saw in in 91 the hard way tour, this song from that

wow

[shakey64]

One of my favorite Earle songs...ever. First time Ive seen this video. THx for sharing.

[cowgirlkiki]

Read his biography: Hardcore Troubadour. Tells of his beginning and then his descent into drugs and prison. He is an incredible songwriter and I'm glad he has come out of his personal hell.

[Herioter]

I was privileged to see Steve Earle open the new Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. He was a last-minute sub for Richard Thompson, who had suffered a family emergency. I first saw Steve with the Dukes in '90 in Edinburgh and subsequently again with them in Chicago after the OTSOFM show. The show at OTSOFM was undoubtedly the finest one-man acoustic set I have ever witnessed. "Ellis Unit One" maybe the greatest anti-killing song ever made.

[whiteAK47]

i have goose pimpilz to this!!!!! steves songs always got so real life meanings i love him all the way from ayrshire scotland n/c

[KensethFan2001]

Steve once said that Townes Van Zandt was the best song writer ever and that he would stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in his cowboy boots and say it.

Well, I would have to say that I believe that Steve Earle is the best song writer this world has ever known. I don't own a pair of cowboy boots, but I will stand on anyone's coffe table in a pair of "Chuck Taylor" Converse and say this. Ha Ha!

I met Steve in Nashville. He is an extremely intelligent and generous man. He's one of my heroes.

[jayhawks69]

a true american master!!!

[lokos83]

probably one of the greatest song written against death penalty.rock on steve!

[princessofhesse]

rich always find the best stuff....steve never fails, or failed, to put every bit of his wonderful soul into his music.....incredible singer/songwriter and just a real pleasure to see, saw him in Minneapolis in March, still looks great and the sound is so powerful....

[krismaze]

And by the way .What does "he has done "mean?

Guilt is man made and does not exist unless it is created.....

Height does not make better unless you have subscribed tio the concept!

This is why FTW is popular>

[krismaze]

The top vid for true i have heard (out of all in the world)(yeah i heard em all)

If you think drugs played this,then you should be able to cover this true!

[livingroomsong]

Incredible.

[alibri4]

about an addict like himself who got a raw deal of one of the bushes probably gw

[Barrykrocker]

He dedicated it to someone about to be hanged in singapore, for drug offenses similar to what has has done

[Barrykrocker]

Had the pleasure of hearing this song live in 2006 sydney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SimonaVanilla]

The young Steve !!!

[sandrapaLmer]

love it

[PforPanchetta]

Wow!!! Absolutely freakin' amazing! The kind of performance that resonates and reverberates long after the song is over.

Thanks for a great post! Cheers!

[indygochild]

Thanks for sharing, this is one of the very best older videos of SE I have ever seen....wow, it is really great! Steve is the best, no question...

[Balleveir]

Steve Earle is a legend! Love you Steve!!