From his chart-topping and gold-certified album Guitar Town, Steve Earle released the title track of the album “Guitar Town” on June 1986. In both the Canadian and US country charts, the song is still the highest peaking song of Earle.
His album Guitar Town is his debut album, released on March 1986. It has also been on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, ranking at #489.
Since the title track “Guitar Town” was released, artists like Emmylou Harris released her song version.
Meaning Behind the Song
The city of Nashville has been dubbed the “guitar town” as there are already more than a thousand guitar pickers to this day, maybe.
The moderate tempo of Steve Earle‘s “Guitar Town” features the drums, guitars, and twang in Earle’s voice as he sings the anthem of road musicians.
Steve Earle is seen walking along the road and going in his bus while traveling and performing with his band for tours.
The music video ends with him walking on the side of the road, hands in his pockets.
Steve Earle’s “Guitar Town” talks about what a traveling artist deals with; always on the road with the band, living in hotels or motels, having a newly-found companionship in someone, and the excitement of performing on stage for the fans. The track is among Steve Earle’s songs about his experiences as a musician.
Check out Steve Earle’s singing in his music video below.