Copperhead Road

Last updated

Copperhead Road
Copperhead road.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 17, 1988
RecordedDecember 1987 − July 1988
Studio Ardent Studios, Memphis, Tennessee; Livingston Studios, Wood Green, London
Genre
Length43:36
Label Uni
Producer Steve Earle, Tony Brown
Steve Earle chronology
Exit 0
(1987)
Copperhead Road
(1988)
The Hard Way
(1990)

Copperhead Road is the third studio album by Steve Earle, released in 1988. The album is often referred to as Earle's first "rock record"; Earle himself calls it the world's first blend of heavy metal and bluegrass, and the January 26, 1989 review of the album by Rolling Stone suggested that the style be called "power twang". [1]

Contents

Composition

The songs on side one of the album reflect Earle's politics: the title track attacks the War on Drugs, and the song "Snake Oil" compares then president Ronald Reagan to a traveling con man and draws attention to his "legacy of creative deceit". [1] The title track and "Johnny Come Lately" (performed with The Pogues [1] ) both describe the experiences of returning veterans. The latter compares the experience of US servicemen fighting in World War II with those in the Vietnam War, and contrasts the differing receptions they received on returning home. "Back to the Wall" is about poverty, describing the life of the homeless in the US.

The second side of the album consists of more traditional love songs and a Christmas-themed offering in "Nothing but a Child", a duet performed with Maria McKee.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]

In declaring Copperhead Road Rock Album of the Week on October 21, 1988, The New York Times described it as "exactly half of a brilliant album, with five smart, ornery, memorable story-songs." [3] With references to Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and the Rolling Stones the paper applauded Earle for introducing country music's storytelling and three-chord structures to rockabilly and contemporary rock music. Side two, however, the Times dismissed as "strictly average" love songs and a "hokey" Christmas song. [3] Time , including it in the September 19, 1988, Critics' Choices, described it as a "rock-inflected, country-based album" that "takes long chances with big themes ... and does them proud". [6]

Rolling Stone published their review of Copperhead Road on January 26, 1989. Rob Tannenbaum wrote that the album "begins murderously and ends sentimentally ... split into two song cycles" and described the first side as being "as powerful as any music made this year". Of side two he admits disappointment at conventional love songs, saying Earle "has already examined this terrain and done a better job of it." Nonetheless, the review compares Earle to Randy Newman, Bruce Springsteen, and Waylon Jennings among others, and concludes with Rolling Stone's designation of Earle as an "important artist" and finding Copperhead Road worthy of four stars. [1]

Airplay on rock radio stations drove the title track into Billboard 's Album Rock Top Ten chart, and that in turn helped Copperhead Road on Billboard's Album Chart, where it peaked at number 56. [7]

Waylon Jennings covered "The Devil's Right Hand" on 1986's Will the Wolf Survive . "I was a big Waylon Jennings fan", noted Bob Seger, who covered the song on 2014's Ride Out . "I heard 'The Devil's Right Hand' in a movie called Betrayed in 1988. Every time I'd see it on cable, maybe once every five years, I'd say, 'Goddamn, that's a cool song. I want to do that some day.' And then, in maybe 2000, I found the movie in a movie bin, watched it and was like, 'Oh my god, Steve Earle wrote it! No wonder I like it.'" [8]

In 2000 it was voted number 412 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums . [9]

Track listing

All tracks written by Steve Earle except where noted.

Original release (1988)

  1. "Copperhead Road" – 4:29
  2. "Snake Oil" – 3:31
  3. "Back to the Wall" – 5:29
  4. "The Devil's Right Hand" (arranged by Garry W. Tallent) – 3:04
  5. "Johnny Come Lately" – 4:11
  6. "Even When I'm Blue" – 4:14
  7. "You Belong to Me" – 4:25
  8. "Waiting on You" (Steve Earle, Richard Bennett) – 5:10
  9. "Once You Love" (Steve Earle, Larry Crane) – 4:39
  10. "Nothing but a Child" – 4:26

Deluxe edition (2008)

On April 29, 2008, Geffen Records/Universal Music released a 2-disc deluxe edition of Copperhead Road. Disc one is the album as listed above, digitally remastered. Disc two features previously unreleased live recordings.

Disc two

  1. "The Devil's Right Hand" (live in Raleigh, North Carolina – November 19, 1987) – 4:02
  2. "Fearless Heart" (live in Raleigh) – 4:32
  3. "San Antonio Girl" (live in Raleigh) – 4:23
  4. "Nobody but You" / "Continental Trailways Bus" (live in Raleigh) – 6:26
  5. "My Baby Worships Me" (live in Raleigh) – 3:33
  6. "Wheels" (Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons) (live in Raleigh) – 4:45
  7. "The Week of Living Dangerously" (live in Raleigh) – 7:26
  8. "Johnny Come Lately" (solo, live in Raleigh) – 3:55
  9. "Brown and Root" (Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell) (live in Raleigh) – 3:46
  10. "I Love You Too Much" (live in Raleigh) – 4:28
  11. "It's All Up to You" (Steve Earle, Harry Stinson) (live in Raleigh) – 6:11
  12. "Nebraska" (Bruce Springsteen) (solo, live – 1988) – 5:21
  13. "Copperhead Road" (live in Calgary, Canada – April 1989) – 4:08
  14. "I Ain't Ever Satisfied" (live in Calgary) – 3:52
  15. "Dead Flowers" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) (live in Calgary) – 5:36
  16. "Little Sister" (Greg Trooper) (solo, live in Calgary) – 3:15
  17. "Guitar Town" (live in Calgary) – 2:36

Personnel

The Pogues

Telluride

Technical

Chart performance

Chart (1988)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums7
U.S. Billboard 20056
Canadian RPM Country Albums30
Canadian RPM Top Albums14
UK Album Charts42 [10]

Although no singles from the album were released in the U.S., three of the album's tracks were released as singles in the UK.

UK SingleRelease datePeak position
"Copperhead Road"October 10, 198845 [10]
"Johnny Come Lately"December 5, 198875 [10]
"Back to the Wall"February 1989did not chart

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incident on 57th Street</span> 1973 song by Bruce Springsteen

"Incident on 57th Street" is a song written by Bruce Springsteen that was first released on his 1973 album The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. It has been described by critics as a key development in Springsteen's songwriting career and regarded by fans as one of his greatest songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Earle</span> American musician

Stephen Fain Earle is an American country, rock and folk singer-songwriter. He began his career as a songwriter in Nashville and released his first EP in 1982.

<i>Car Wheels on a Gravel Road</i> 1998 studio album by Lucinda Williams

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, released on June 30, 1998, by Mercury Records. The album was recorded and co-produced by Williams in Nashville, Tennessee and Canoga Park, California, and features guest appearances by Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris.

<i>Tunnel of Love</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Bruce Springsteen

Tunnel of Love is the eighth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on October 5, 1987. Although members of the E Street Band occasionally performed on the album, Springsteen recorded most of the parts himself, often with drum machines and synthesizers. Tunnel of Love is not officially regarded as an E Street Band album, as The Rising (2002) was marketed as his first studio album with the E Street Band since Born in the U.S.A. (1984).

<i>Old Ways</i> 1985 studio album by Neil Young

Old Ways is the 15th studio album by Canadian-American musician and singer-songwriter Neil Young, released on August 12, 1985, on Geffen Records.

<i>Guitar Town</i> 1986 studio album by Steve Earle

Guitar Town is the debut studio album from American singer-songwriter Steve Earle, released on March 5, 1986. It topped the Billboard country album charts, and the title song reached #7 on the country singles charts. Earle was also nominated for two 1987 Grammy Awards, Best Male Country Vocalist and Best Country Song, for the title track.

<i>Hearts of Stone</i> (Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes album) 1978 studio album by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Hearts of Stone is the third album by New Jersey rock band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, released in October 1978. The album peaked at number 112 on the Billboard 200 chart during the week of January 13, 1979. All of the album's songs were written by Southside Johnny, Bruce Springsteen, and E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt. Van Zandt, the band's manager, also produced, arranged and played guitar.

<i>Closing In on the Fire</i> 1998 studio album by Waylon Jennings

Closing In on the Fire is an album by American country music artist Waylon Jennings, released on the small Ark 21 Records label on June 16, 1998. It features contributions from several celebrities associated with both country and rock music. The selections include, among others, Sting's "She's Too Good for Me" and Tony Joe White's title track, creating a greater degree of musical eclecticism than in many previous Jennings releases. The singer incorporated elements of genres such as blues and rock, in addition to traditional country ballads. "Best Friends of Mine," an autobiographical song, is a tribute to Buddy Holly, Hank Williams Jr. and Jim Garchow minor league baseball team who was one of Jennings' close friends from Waylon's days in Phoenix. Carl Smith, one of Jennings's idols, appears on "Untitled Waltz." In an interview the singer mentioned that he wasn't fully satisfied with his take on The Rolling Stones' "No Expectations", calling it "a little more contrived than I would have liked." An interview featuring Jennings commenting on the record is included as a bonus track. Closing In on the Fire, Jennings' 72nd release, reached #71 on the country charts and was the last studio album by the singer to be released before his death in 2002.

<i>Wanted! The Outlaws</i> 1976 compilation album by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser

Wanted! The Outlaws is a compilation album by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser, released by RCA Records in 1976. The album consists of previously released material with four new songs. Released to capitalize on the new outlaw country movement, Wanted! The Outlaws earned its place in music history by becoming the first country album to be platinum-certified, reaching sales of one million.

<i>Exit 0</i> 1987 studio album by Steve Earle & The Dukes

Exit 0 is the second studio album from American singer-songwriter Steve Earle, released in 1987. Earle was nominated for two 1988 Grammy Awards for songs on the album, Best Male Country Vocalist for "Exit 0" and Best Country Song for "Nowhere Road".

<i>The Hard Way</i> (Steve Earle album) 1990 studio album by Steve Earle

The Hard Way is the fourth studio album by Steve Earle, released in 1990. Earle is backed by the Dukes. The album is dedicated to Emilio Lorenzo Ensenat (1930–90).

<i>Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator</i> 1991 live album by Steve Earle and the Dukes

Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator is a live album by Steve Earle and the Dukes. The album was released in 1991 and recorded live in London and Kitchener Ontario, Canada, in October 1990.

<i>BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert</i> (Steve Earle album) 1992 live album by Steve Earle

BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert is a live album by Steve Earle. The album was recorded 29 November 1988 at The Town & Country Club, London and released in 1992. The album was re-released as Live At The BBC in 2009 with an additional four tracks recorded for Liz Kershaw's show, recorded live in Manchester on 16 April 1987.

<i>Live from Austin, TX</i> (Steve Earle album) 2004 live album by Steve Earle

Live From Austin, TX is a live album by Steve Earle. The album was recorded on 12 September 1986 and released in 2004.

<i>Just an American Boy</i> 2003 live album by Steve Earle

Just An American Boy is a live album by Steve Earle. The album was released in 2003.

<i>Aint Ever Satisfied: The Steve Earle Collection</i> 1996 compilation album by Steve Earle

Ain't Ever Satisfied: The Steve Earle Collection is a compilation album by Steve Earle, drawn from his years with the MCA label. The album was released on July, 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fade Away (Bruce Springsteen song)</span> 1981 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Fade Away" is a 1980 song written and performed by Bruce Springsteen, accompanied by the E Street Band. It is included on his album The River, and the second single released from it in the United States, reaching the top twenty in both the United States and Canada.

<i>Ride Out</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Bob Seger

Ride Out is the seventeenth studio album by American rock singer–songwriter Bob Seger. The album was released on October 14, 2014.

<i>HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY, 11/22/09</i> 2016 live album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY, 11/22/09 is a live album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, released in November 2016. It is the eleventh official release through the Bruce Springsteen Archives. The show was originally recorded live at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York on November 22, 2009. It includes a complete performance of Springsteen's debut album, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. along with several other rarities. The show was the last to feature Clarence Clemons before his 2011 death and also was the last date on the Working on a Dream Tour.

"Devil's Right Hand" is a song written and originally recorded and released by Steve Earle. It first appeared on a single and later on Earle's album Copperhead Road (1988).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tannenbaum, Rob (January 26, 1989). "Steve Earle Copperhead Road". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on August 7, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  2. Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. p. 324. ISBN   978-1-84353-105-0.
  3. 1 2 3 Pareles, Jon (October 21, 1988). "Sounds Around Town". The New York Times . pp. C-26. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  4. 1 2 Deming, Mark. "Copperhead Road - Steve Earle | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  5. Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN   978-0857125958.
  6. "Critics' Choice". Time . September 19, 1988. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  7. "Steve Earle: Main". MTV.com . Viacom. Retrieved March 28, 2009.[ dead link ]
  8. Graff, Gary (February 2015). "Q&A: Bob Seger". Classic Rock #206. p. 32.
  9. Colin Larkin (2000). All Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 153. ISBN   0-7535-0493-6.
  10. 1 2 3 Roberts, David, ed. (June 2, 2007). British Hit Singles and Albums (20th (revised) ed.). London: Guinness World Records Ltd. ISBN   978-1-904994-10-7.