Steve Earle to Release New Waylon-Esque Album “So You Wanna Be An Outlaw”
As first reported by Saving Country Music in January, Steve Earle’s newest album will be called So You Wanna Be An Outlaw, and feature an appearance by Willie Nelson on the title track. The album is said to be unabashedly inspired by Waylon Jennings and the other original country music Outlaws, and will also feature appearances by Miranda Lambert, and original “Whiskey River” writer, Johnny Bush.
“I moved to Nashville in November of 1974, and right after that Willie Nelson’s ‘Red Headed Stranger’ came out,” Earle says, who makes an appearance as a young man in Guy Clark’s kitchen in the Outlaw country documentary, Heartworn Highways. “I was around when Waylon was recording ‘Dreaming My Dreams.’ ‘Guitar Town’ wound up being kind of my version of those types of songs.”
Earle is joined on the album by his backing band The Dukes, and he recorded the project in Austin. Along with the 12 tracks of So You Wanna Be An Outlaw, a deluxe edition will include four additional iconic songs from the Outlaw era: “Ain’t No God in Mexico” by Billy Joe Shaver, “Sister’s Coming Home”/”Down at the Corner Beer Joint” and “The Local Memory” by Willie Nelson, and “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” by Waylon Jennings.
“I was out to unapologetically ‘channel’ Waylon as best as I could,” Earle says about the album. “This record was all about me playing on the back pick-up of a ’66 Fender Telecaster on an entire record for the first time in my life.”
No, that’s not a pickup truck Earle is referring too, it’s the hot twang first evidenced in Bakersfield country, and adopted by the Outlaws in the 70’s when they reigned supreme. So You Wanna Be An Outlaw will be released June 16th via Warner Bros. Records, and Steve will launch a summer tour in support of the album.
TRACK LIST:
- “So You Wannabe an Outlaw” (feat. Willie Nelson)
- “Lookin’ for a Woman”
- “The Firebreak Line”
- “News From Colorado”
- “If Mama Coulda Seen Me”
- “Fixin’ to Die”
- “This Is How It Ends” (feat. Miranda Lambert)
- “The Girl on the Mountain”
- “You Broke My Heart”
- “Walkin’ in LA” (feat. Johnny Bush)
- “Sunset Highway”
- “Goodbye Michelangelo”
Deluxe Edition bonus tracks:
- “Ain’t No God in Mexico” (Billy Joe Shaver)
- “Sister’s Coming Home”/”Down at the Corner Beer Joint” (Willie Nelson)
- “The Local Memory” (Willie Nelson)
- “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” (Waylon Jennings)
April 28, 2017 @ 6:10 pm
Also fitting then that the released date is a day after Waylon Jennings birthday
April 28, 2017 @ 6:37 pm
Ain’t no God in Mexico is such a great song.
April 30, 2017 @ 12:22 pm
I’ve always wondered if Billy Joe intended the second verse to be about sex. “Back in 1947 that’s when more than times where hard” and “in front of God and everybody I politely blew my cool” To a perverted mind it sure seems that way. One of my favorites.
April 28, 2017 @ 7:28 pm
If anybody could do an Outlaw album they way it’s supposed to be done, it’s Steve Earle.
May 1, 2017 @ 6:52 am
The guy is a drug addled Texas communist. Can there be anything more outlaw?
April 28, 2017 @ 8:01 pm
“Goodbye Michelangelo” is a tribute to Guy Clark, which Earle wrote last summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D45r53vf9HQ
April 28, 2017 @ 10:45 pm
Really looking forward to this one.June is looking good with this and Jason Isbell
April 29, 2017 @ 3:19 pm
From the sound of his first two releases off the album, Isbell is going to deliver for fans of pop-ish rock.
April 29, 2017 @ 3:53 am
Yep, after all these years, Steve Earle is still talking obsessively about himself.
April 30, 2017 @ 12:56 pm
And making insightful, fucking fantastic music.
May 1, 2017 @ 5:14 pm
Right on CL Smooth. How Steve Earle is not talked about in the same breath as Dwight and the other kings of real country is beyond me. Hell, even if he had done nothing else of note after Guitar Town, he already had a greatest hits record right there. And then add Exit 0, Copperhead Road, Train a Coming, and I Feel Alright to name just a few of his other stellar releases, and you’ve got one of the best song writers of not just country, but any genre!
May 1, 2017 @ 5:16 pm
Don’t forget Transcendental Blues!
April 29, 2017 @ 4:27 am
I really liked this…! the performance does have a waylon “feel” to it. And the video worked here in sweden too….Thanks Trigger
April 29, 2017 @ 5:16 am
I wish I could say I was excited about this, but I am not.
April 29, 2017 @ 6:15 am
We don’t need competitive outlaw sneering to save country music. We just need country music.
Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l5iKwi4jq0
April 29, 2017 @ 6:15 am
Awrighty! CooL. 🙂
April 29, 2017 @ 6:24 am
Oh, yeah. I’ll be picking up the deluxe edition for sure. Really looking forward to this.
April 29, 2017 @ 7:06 am
I bought Guitar town on vinyl when it first came out around 86. Still have it and consider it to be his best work. The Copperhead Road album and The Hard Way were also excellent. I have followed him in the years since and have been largely disappointed as his politics became a central part of everything. I did enjoy The Mountain album he did with Del McCoy and to a lesser degree some of the others.
However, I am genuinely excited about this release and I hope it lives up to my expectations.
April 29, 2017 @ 7:13 am
Looking so forward to June 16th, I hope he will come to Europe as well, maybe be a “So You Wanna Be An Outlaw” Tour? ♥
April 29, 2017 @ 8:57 am
Excited? Hell yeah! He’s a cool dude but his singing just don’t cut it. Never has, Hope to find this to be the exception that breaks the rule.
April 29, 2017 @ 10:03 am
Steve Earle has always been one of my personal heroes. For better or worse, his music specifically and Outlaw Country generally is inextricably bound to my drug use. When I’m doing my thing and listening to such classics like “The Week of Living Dangerously” and “Gettin’ Tough” still make things even that more pleasurable. Lastly, I can say tears welled up in my eyes the first time I heard “I ain’t Ever Satisfied.” Insofar as this new “Waylon-Esque” album is concerned, I’m hoping it represents a return to his roots. I am, however, keeping my expectations realistic.
April 29, 2017 @ 10:48 am
When you say you are going to channel Waylon, you are setting yourself up for failure because inevitably people are going to compare you to him. I like Steve but I just think he should have said ” I’m doing an outlaw album” IMO
April 29, 2017 @ 11:31 am
Earle used to talk about “writing songs about girls”. Then he thought he needed to be political. I think his best songs mixed social commentary without being so overtly political. He sort of seems like a guy to me out of ideas now.
April 29, 2017 @ 1:02 pm
I agree he is a lot more political now than he was earlier in his career. I have noticed some artists seem to get more political later in their careers. I also usually don’t care for the overtly political songs either, social commentary is fine but the in your face political stuff I have no use for. It very well could be a sign that they are out of ideas and the well has dried up, just compare the earlier work of Neil Young and Springsteen to what they have been putting out lately, it’s just political dribble.
April 29, 2017 @ 1:13 pm
I can think of lines like “I didn’t vote for nobody last time, cause they wasn’t worth a trickle down dime” from Regular Guy. I think many of the songs on Guitar Town and Exit 0 had some social commentary without being preachy as well.
April 30, 2017 @ 7:03 am
I think Steve’s last couple of albums have not been overtly political. Even the couple before that weren’t as political as the Jerusalem/The Revolution Starts Now period.
As far as the Bruce/Neil point goes, I think Steve is better than those two when it comes to that type of thing (e.g., Bruce’s Wrecking Ball sadly left me cold). Not saying that he’s a better artist, although I think his recent output is more compelling than their recent efforts.
April 30, 2017 @ 8:17 am
I agree that Steve is better at the political efforts than those two, just go listen to that Monsanto album Young put out.
April 30, 2017 @ 8:30 am
Yeah. I passed on that one. Also, Living With War.
April 30, 2017 @ 7:47 am
Though I agree with much of Earle’s politics, I haven’t liked any of his albums since Transcendental Blues. He and Lucinda Williams have had a similar career trajectory to my ears. The singing has become unlistenable and the songwriting has dropped off the map. Whatever happened to these two?
April 30, 2017 @ 1:05 am
WRS, I am thankful he thought of Waylon and I can hear it in “So You Wanna Be An Outlaw” this connection with Waylon Jennings, I missed out on Waylon the only time he was in The Netherlands and this, I think Steve has a lot of respect for his colleague artists, I won’t compare the 2, but I love Waylon Jennings music and I love Steve Earle, it is fine with me if he puts a little Waylon and if he mentions it, well OK, I am just so thankful we still have Steve Earle…. ♥
April 30, 2017 @ 5:35 am
I am a fan of both artists too, and I wish Waylon was still around and I’m sure Steve has the upmost respect for Waylon. I just think Steve doesn’t really need to channel anybody to do an outlaw album he can just channel himself. It would be great if Waylon was still around to actually be on the album.
April 29, 2017 @ 1:29 pm
I’m not an anti-gun guy but I like The Devil’s Right Hand, I think it’s a cleverly crafted song with a good melody even though I don’t agree that the pistol is the devil’s right hand.
April 30, 2017 @ 5:40 am
Smartest comment I’ve read in the comments section in years. Too many people today let their beliefs cloud their judgement and don’t hear the song.
Three versions of TDRH are in regular rotation at my house: Copperhead Road, Brokeback Mountain, and Johnny Cash’s from Uneatherd. All great!
April 30, 2017 @ 8:18 am
I enjoy all three versions as well
April 30, 2017 @ 12:59 pm
There is a third Earle version… it is on his “Early Tracks” album. He recorded it before Guitar Town for Epic, but they didn’t release it until after he switched to MCA and had success with GT.
April 29, 2017 @ 1:43 pm
“Channel Waylon”? You should probably be able to sing first.
April 29, 2017 @ 3:24 pm
Here we go again. Maybe Earle and Sturgill can go halfers on a vocal coach who can get them up to your strict standards Honky. Prine can join too. And too bad Townes isn’t still alive. That guy could have used some coaching to make him sound more like Midland as well. Right?
April 29, 2017 @ 6:08 pm
I’m amused that you’re speaking truth, but attempting to use it as sarcasm.
Yes, the lead singer for Midland is a much better vocalist than anybody you’ve named here. Not that that’s saying much.
April 30, 2017 @ 7:41 pm
Wrong again, Honky. By your strict “standards” (clean, classically trained vocals being the most important element in music), I would have to assume you are a big Adele fan. What about Mariah Carey? The sooner you learn that it’s all about the song, and not just about a polished, radio friendly vocal (Like midland….although damn they sure are pretty too, so maybe that factors into it), the better off you will be.
May 1, 2017 @ 7:40 am
Strawmaning my standards (“clean, classically trained”) because you disagree with me, isn’t much of an argument.
Do you think you’ll ever get over the fact that we disagree, and stop stalking me? The sooner you do, the better off we’ll both be.
May 1, 2017 @ 10:48 pm
“Stalking you?” That is rich, Honky. Stop posting troll-like, ridiculous comments that amount to little more than “yeah, xyz artist sucks and has no talent”, and you won’t get warranted replies to said ridiculous comments. Your “taste” (or lack thereof) in country music is laughable. It is odd that you find entertainment in trolling this website, if you really don’t like country or adjacent genres. Any person who thinks Prine, Van Zandt, Sturgill, Earle, etc. don’t deserve a hell of a lot of respect for at the very least their contributions to the songwriting craft….even if their vocal delivery doesn’t meet your squeaky clean radio country standards…..isn’t to be listened to as a critic of music. That is my opinion. You can have yours, but I think most people around these parts would agree.
April 30, 2017 @ 7:11 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEVi8_HorCw
April 30, 2017 @ 8:18 am
I’m glad to see someone agrees with how laughable it is that a guy who can’t sing, wants to “channel Waylon”.
April 30, 2017 @ 8:27 am
Brilliant jujitsu move. I am in awe.
April 30, 2017 @ 9:40 am
I just appreciate you having my back.
May 1, 2017 @ 10:51 pm
I can assure you, Honky, nobody on here “has your back”. But, it was clear that you posted that as a joke, so I guess it isn’t really necessary to point that out to you.
May 1, 2017 @ 1:38 am
There ain’t a goddamn thing wrong with Steve Earle’s voice.
May 1, 2017 @ 7:34 am
Except that he can’t sing. But if that’s your thing, you should buy his album.
April 29, 2017 @ 4:56 pm
Looking forward to this album. I wish that Steve Earle wouldn’t preach so much, but I’d much rather have a new album of his than not. Also, is it just me, or does every “outlaw” song these days somehow involve Willie Nelson?
April 29, 2017 @ 8:58 pm
Meh, not impressed. Brantley Gilbert, now that’s a true outlaw!
April 30, 2017 @ 6:55 am
Ha ha ?, God I hope you are kidding!
May 1, 2017 @ 1:32 am
Nah, I’m serious….he could whip any of ya’ll’s asses in a split second. He is the second coming of Waylon Jennings, but BETTER!
May 1, 2017 @ 1:36 am
He might have the look down but his music sucks ass.
May 1, 2017 @ 7:41 pm
No it doesn’t.
May 1, 2017 @ 8:03 pm
Biggest poseur in bro-country. And that’s saying a lot.
April 29, 2017 @ 10:11 pm
Gotta go back to 2000 (Transcendental Blues) for an album I liked by anyone named Earle.
April 30, 2017 @ 10:10 am
Steve Earle’s politics have always rubbed me the wrong way. That’s why I’ve always called him the Euronymous of country music. But his music simply cannot be denied!!!
April 30, 2017 @ 11:16 am
If the album is anything like the first song, it’ll be a dern good album.
April 30, 2017 @ 3:42 pm
First of all..thank you for this site and for your reviews and news. I check in regularly but I have never posted. I cannot wait for this record. Thanks for posting the video
April 30, 2017 @ 3:57 pm
Thanks for reading Brad!
May 1, 2017 @ 1:47 am
To “Honky” who for some reason has in issue with Steve Earle’s voice:
Your dissatisfaction with Steve’s voice is not going to change the fact I am going to going to buy this album, as are a lot of other folks. If you can’t stand Steve, maybe you oughta head on over to country radio, you might find a voice you like better over there in the land of cowboy-boot-skinnyjean-wearing millionaire metrosexuals.
May 1, 2017 @ 7:42 am
If you like Steve Earl, then you should buy his entire catalogue. I would.
In fact, if you like acts who can’t sing, I can give you a long list of albums to buy.
May 1, 2017 @ 10:55 pm
Honky is a classic troll, as you can tell. I often wonder if he or she even likes country. A few months ago, when I asked them to give some examples of artists who he or she actually did like…..instead of his or her’s standard comment of “that sucks”, or “that isn’t country”…..they provided a very suspect list of borderline pop “country’ artists like Midland and a few others who weren’t even memorable enough for me to remember at this point. What I don’t understand is why some random person would pick this website as a place to troll and try to piss people off for entertainment.
May 2, 2017 @ 6:30 am
If you believe I’m a troll, then don’t respond to me. Everybody knows the way to make trolls go away is to ignore them.
In fact, I’ve told you several times. Listen to what you like, and stop harassing me. But you’re addicted to me, in a real strange way.
You turn many of my opinions into strawmen, by exaggerating them into something I didn’t even say. That’s one of the reasons I don’t bother answering many of your questions; it takes too long to unravel your nonsense, and then answer questions. I don’t have the mental energy for it.
May 1, 2017 @ 7:04 am
I am a huge fan of everything up through The Mountain, but haven’t loved any complete project Steve Earle has done this century. I loved the nuanced activism in his early works, even when I didn’t agree with the message. Lately, other than a song here and there, I feel like I’m being assaulted every time I put on a Steve Earle album. There are some gems, but I have to be pummeled with humorless didactic protest songs to get there. FWIW, Todd Snider’s politics seem to fall about where Steve Earle’s do, but Snider’s points all land for me, even when I don’t agree. Still, Earle’s work always gets a listen and his catalogue from the 1900s is always in my playlist. I can’t wait to hear this.
As for his voice… I have never had a problem with it, except where I can’t make out the lyrics over the production. He is such a great writer, and when the words are unclear, it weakens the work, IMO.
May 1, 2017 @ 7:50 am
As for his voice… I have never had a problem with it, except where I can’t make out the lyrics over the production.
I’ve heard the complaint about not being able to understand the lyrics when he sings live. One comment I heard at a show of his was that the lyrics can’t seem to get past the beard, which I thought was kind of funny.
May 1, 2017 @ 8:02 am
That’s a nice way to put it! It really could just be that my ears are going, but I have the same issue with Sturgill Simpson’s latest. It’s like the vocals are buried under six feet of sound and it takes more patience than I have to dig ’em up. It’s a shame, because the writing is excellent and the words deserve to be on top of the mix.
May 1, 2017 @ 9:46 pm
I’m all for Steve releasing a punchier album in the Guitar Town/Copperhead Road vein. Terraplane was to mannered. Townes was too reverent. His Shawn Colvin collab wasn’t bad. For sure he’s peaked creatively, but if there’s still gas in the tank and he wants to floor it, I say, let’s roll.
December 4, 2017 @ 8:28 am
JFC, Steve Earle puts pen to paper, his heart and soul into the music and just lets it rip in the studio. His lyrics transcend, the gift a great songwriter gives to the listener. I could care less if he doesn’t have velvet pipes, the music and words in each track is what I am thankful for. After I listen to the cd, I can hardly wait until the next time I get to hear it.