It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
Steve Earle put out a new album this summer. And it’s full of some great music. But at this point it’s not really a surprise that music that Steve puts out will be great.
I thought we could check out the title track from this new album.
For a couple reasons.
First, I think the first song on any album is usually one the artist likes or one that sounds good. Why else would it be first?
Second, this song has a cool topic. And it brings in a fitting guest.
So You Wannabe An Outlaw – Steve Earle
The whole Outlaw thing in country music peaked around the late ’70s and early ’80s. Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson were the ringleaders. Even if they didn’t see it that way.
Steve Earle came along later in the ’80s. He didn’t fit in that outlaw genre, but he definitely lived like an outlaw in country music. He didn’t want to be put in a box.
This song seems a bit autobiographical. We have Steve kind of looking at the folks that look up to outlaws like they’re heroes. They build up the life of an outlaw as something that’s pretty great.
But Steve, with a little help from Willie, are here to tell you that this outlaw life has some downfalls. It’s not something that most people would enjoy. There are more downs than ups. But for some it’s just the only way to live.
This one is great. Some stone cold country for you in 2017.
CML Points: 88/100
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