I first found out about Steve Earle through this song. It has remained one of my favorite songs. Steve has released a lot of great songs since but it’s the honesty of this song that I like so much.
I was working at a factory and going to college and I had a radio on while driving a tow motor. After I heard it I immediately bought the album “Exit 0” and enjoyed the complete album. The lyrics ring true of the human spirit…we are never satisfied. Steve Earle was one of the highlights of the 80s for me. Down to earth music and very rootsy.
The night after I got Exit O I learned this song and our band played it. I went to my first Bob Dylan concert on August 20, 1989, and Steve Earle opened up for him. That was one of the best pairings I’ve seen. He played this song and the night was complete…Copperhead Road was pretty good also! I’ve seen Dylan 8 times but this was probably the worse. He played for maybe 40 minutes and left the stage. I remember someone behind me screaming…”I know you are an old son of a b****” but come on… Bob was 48 that year.
Steve is such an underrated American songwriter. The year before this song he released his breakout album Guitar Town. He was straddling the line between country and rock at this period. It’s hard to classify Earle and no need to…he writes great songs that many can relate to.
The song peaked at #26 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts in 1987. The album Exit 0 peaked at #15 on the Billboard Album Country Charts and #36 in Canada.
Just a cool note… Waylon Jennings makes a cameo appearance at the end of the video.
I Ain’t Ever Satisfied
I was born by the railroad tracks
Well the train whistle wailed and I wailed right back Well papa left mama when I was quite young He said now “One of these days you’re gonna follow me son”Woh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I ain’t ever satisfied Woh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh I ain’t ever satisfiedNow I had me a woman she was my world
But I ran off with my back street girl Now my back street woman could not be true She left me standin’ on the boulevard thinkin’ ’bout youI’ve got an empty feeling deep inside
I’m going over to the other side Last night I dreamed I made it to the promise land I was standin’ at the gate and I had the key in my hand Saint Peter said “Come on in boy, you’re finally home” I said “No thanks Pete, I’ll just be moving along”Woh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I ain’t ever satisfied Woh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh I ain’t ever satisfied