The brilliant Steve Earle (during what I think are his best songwriting days) performing 'Billy Austin' acoustic on the UK show "New Country" back in 1991.
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.
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.
@ 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.
Steve was great with the Guitar Town and Copperhead Road type stuff, but I really love his later (post mid-90s), more introspective songs even more. He's one of the best artists the US has produced. Songs like this one must blow minds in the UK, home of probably the world's best audiences.
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.
This song always brings me back to when I discovered it. I was sleeping on a pool table in a flooded basement, and I would fall asleep listening to Steve Earle sing about ol Billy!
+thyamelate Strange how we look back at those rough times and consider them fun. The Band's music does that to me, I was fucked up as they come but I thought I was having a good time?? I love Steve Earle too, a brilliant musician, and yes, he too makes me think of those times and so happy that we (Steve and me and it sounds like you, as well) made it through them...
Steve seems like a great guy He can relate to most guys. No one heres him or what has to say. Listening to his lyrics the pain and suffering he has gone through no one knows....this comes from the heart....god if you haven't been hurt you don't know.... steve thank you for your music..emotion . Your terrific Amanda ..
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.
"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!
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....
Wow!!! Absolutely freakin' amazing! The kind of performance that resonates and reverberates long after the song is over. Thanks for a great post! Cheers!
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.
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.
Steve Earl is pure genius singer/song writer. Has the ability to take the listener to a very dark place where you are forced to take a long look in the mirror. This is one of his greatest works of creativity. Makes my skin crawl. Love him, period.
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!
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.
OMG....I forgot about this song....WOW....yes....still brings chills to me. I love the concept about crossing the line....a line that we all have inside, and might just be able to cross ourselves one day....we are capable of amazing things....sometimes scary things !!! One of our best artists !!!
From the beginning, and through every stage of his career, Steve Earle has written honest, relevant, extraordinary songs. He continues to do it right now. I don’t think the comparison is off-base.
It's no wonder the poor man had so many demons to fight - he actually lives the songs he writes and sings. Thank God he made it through with that brilliance intact.
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....
@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.
@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.
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.
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.
Dude, Townes died in 1997, by which point Steve had been sober for several years. How many videos do you spread bullshit on?
I absolutely agree 💯
@ 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.
One man. One guitar. The power to change the world.
Steve was great with the Guitar Town and Copperhead Road type stuff, but I really love his later (post mid-90s), more introspective songs even more. He's one of the best artists the US has produced. Songs like this one must blow minds in the UK, home of probably the world's best audiences.
Words can't do it justice. Steve Earle is in a class by himself. He did a bluegrass album, The Mountain, that is amazing.
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.
Stark and haunting .Only Steve Earle could write this
Not afraid to admit it, damn this song sends a shiver down my spine and tear down my cheek everytime. Beautiful.
Steve Earle is my new obsession and this song makes me cry
This just simply makes me tear up every single time... bless you Steve Earle.
I've been listening to Steve for 30+ years, and this song is just one of his most powerful songs. it is absolutely haunting.
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...
You better believe it! Thank you Steve for this song, and THANK GOD for sparing the one and only HARD-CORE TROUBADOUR (STEVE EARLE)❤
Blow my mind, break my heart, tears my eyes, along with Goodbye and Ft. Worth Blues this is my fav Steve Earle song.
"I didn't make the papers, cos I only killed one man...." Genius at his best!!
This song always brings me back to when I discovered it. I was sleeping on a pool table in a flooded basement, and I would fall asleep listening to Steve Earle sing about ol Billy!
+thyamelate Strange how we look back at those rough times and consider them fun. The Band's music does that to me, I was fucked up as they come but I thought I was having a good time?? I love Steve Earle too, a brilliant musician, and yes, he too makes me think of those times and so happy that we (Steve and me and it sounds like you, as well) made it through them...
Incredible songwriter.
Steve Earle & The Dukes are some of the finest hardest working musicians around.
Just love this song. The man's a legend simple as....
Just love this guys music
Magic from a living legend
amen
Outstanding song. I worked the death row unit at Holman prison for over 23 years, and can definately relate to this.
Steve seems like a great guy
He can relate to most guys. No one heres him or what has to say. Listening to his lyrics the pain and suffering he has gone through no one knows....this comes from the heart....god if you haven't been hurt you don't know.... steve thank you for your music..emotion
. Your terrific
Amanda
..
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.
He and Jason Isbell are the greatest living writers. Saw him in a coffee shop in Nashville the year the got out of prison. So amazing.
it still makes the hair on the back of neck raise up.........and i'm an old timer ....big fan
Chilling!! Felt like I was having a conversation with a condemned man.
thank you for this song i cry when here it
Thank you for posting this - my favourite song of Steve's and done acoustically - mindblowing. This was 1990. By '91 the darkness was arrivng...
The guitar playing in this song is perfect.
It is although he does make a mistake right near the beginning and you can see he wasn't happy with it! It happens when playing live.
@@RichBaxterMusic yeah, after the first verse. It does not detract from the song though, kinda fits somehow.
One of the greats!
This strung out early 90s period is my favorite
"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!
gigglydookie y6
My favorite of him singing this haunting song. Pure.
BRILLIANT . Makes u think
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....
great song sends chills up spine
Must be one of the best lyrics ever produced, Steve Earle is quality from top to toe.....
Man it is amazing the music he was making then... this is way ahead of the times in '91. Truly a great songwriter.
Not too many songs make me cry but....
One of my favorite Earle songs...ever. First time Ive seen this video. THx for sharing.
stiill watching this clip! 14 years later. Still a favorite.
Wow!!! Absolutely freakin' amazing! The kind of performance that resonates and reverberates long after the song is over.
Thanks for a great post! Cheers!
this song gets me everytime!
god this is so good. steve in his prime.
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
a tip: watch movies at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching lots of of movies these days.
@Khalid Alonso yup, been using Flixzone for since november myself =)
@Khalid Alonso definitely, I've been using flixzone for since november myself :)
@Khalid Alonso Definitely, I have been watching on Flixzone for years myself :D
@Khalid Alonso yup, I've been watching on Flixzone for since december myself :D
best song writer of the last 30 years...awesome song
thank you
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.
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.
what a great song steve earl one great song writer
Awesome
Nothing will ever meet this ...lyrics, music or otherwise....wish I's written it!!!
Steve Earl is pure genius singer/song writer. Has the ability to take the listener to a very dark place where you are forced to take a long look in the mirror. This is one of his greatest works of creativity. Makes my skin crawl. Love him, period.
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!
My favourite for many years. TX. And Steve!!! welcome back to Norway. You are the best.
This is heavy. What a beautiful song.
Had the pleasure of hearing this song live in 2006 sydney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just speaks to the soul.
Sitting here flat stunned by this man and his song
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.
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
shivers...
Thanks for this, it's one of my favourite songs. I love the studio version but I reckon this is even better.
OMG....I forgot about this song....WOW....yes....still brings chills to me. I love the concept about crossing the line....a line that we all have inside, and might just be able to cross ourselves one day....we are capable of amazing things....sometimes scary things !!! One of our best artists !!!
THE best song in the world. Pro or not.. just love it.
hey, thanks for all these clips. I've been a fan since Guitar Town and am enjoying them!
Amaing performance of an amazing song by an amazing songwriter.
It's crazy only 2730 people have watched this video.
Great music, can't be copied!
He is the best songwriter,,on earth!!!!!awesome he is,,,,,,,,
I love this song. Thank you!!
amazing
Wow! Im a huge Steve Earl fan, but this dong!... wow!
Thank you for posting. I love this song.
the best singer songwriter barre none!!!!!!
Poor bastard is so messed up, and still sounds this good!
UNREAL THANKS.
greatest living singer songwriter
Steve Earle. The new Dylan....
Not quite the same range as Dylan, but this is a great song!
From the beginning, and through every stage of his career, Steve Earle has written honest, relevant, extraordinary songs. He continues to do it right now. I don’t think the comparison is off-base.
i love this song!
Great song.
hats off to steve man .....
Steve looks different in every video I've seen. I've seen dozens on youtube and I don't recognize him here. So many different looks and sounds.
Just brilliant.....
awesome performer
It's no wonder the poor man had so many demons to fight - he actually lives the songs he writes and sings. Thank God he made it through with that brilliance intact.
Cool!
Nice song!
💐
There is no other musician out there that puts their soul in their music more than Steve. Thank you
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....
☮️
Hay I am not a old timer but my dad got me in to Steve Earl like when I was 4 lol Copperhead road was our four wheeling song lol we are just hicks
Best songwriter since what 83.
yes sir
@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.
cheers
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
a true american master!!!
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.
This song troubles me to the bones.
@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.
Knock i toff theres more to comew