About the song
Steve Earle’s 1988 album “Copperhead Road” stands as a pivotal moment in his career, marking a departure towards a more rock-oriented sound infused with his trademark storytelling prowess. Widely regarded as Earle’s first foray into rock, the album seamlessly blends elements of heavy metal and bluegrass, earning it the moniker “power twang” from Rolling Stone.
The album’s thematic depth is immediately apparent. Side one confronts political and social issues head-on. The title track, “Copperhead Road,” delivers a scathing critique of the War on Drugs, its protagonist a moonshine distiller turned drug grower. “Snake Oil” takes aim at President Ronald Reagan, likening him to a deceitful traveling salesman. “Johnny Come Lately,” a collaboration with The Pogues, contrasts the experiences of veterans from World War II and Vietnam, highlighting societal shifts in perception.
Side two offers a shift in tone, featuring heartfelt love songs and the poignant Christmas-themed “Nothing but a Child,” a duet with Maria McKee. Despite critical acclaim, reception was mixed, with The New York Times praising side one’s narrative strength while dismissing side two’s conventional themes.
Critics lauded Earle’s ability to merge country storytelling with rockabilly and contemporary rock, drawing comparisons to icons like Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. “Copperhead Road” achieved notable success on Billboard charts, driven by radio airplay of its title track.
The album’s influence extended beyond Earle’s own career, evidenced by covers of its standout tracks by artists like Waylon Jennings and Bob Seger. Jennings’ rendition of “The Devil’s Right Hand” notably contributed to its enduring popularity.
In 2008, a deluxe edition of the album was released, featuring live recordings that further showcased Earle’s dynamic stage presence and musical versatility.
“Copperhead Road” remains a testament to Steve Earle’s artistic evolution and his ability to challenge genre boundaries while staying true to his roots. Its legacy continues to resonate with fans of both country and rock music, solidifying its place as a landmark album in American music history.
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Lyrics
Well, my name’s John Lee Pettimore
Same as my daddy and his daddy before
You hardly ever saw grandaddy down here
He only came to town about twice a year
He’d buy a hundred pounds of yeast and some copper line
Everybody knew that he made moonshine
Now the revenue man wanted frandaddy bad
Headed up the holler with everything he had
Before my time, but I’ve been told
He never come back from Copperhead Road
Now daddy ran the whiskey in a big block Dodge
Bought it at an auction at the Mason’s Lodge
“Johnson County Sheriff” painted on the side
Just shot a coat of primer, then he looked inside
Well, him and my uncle tore that engine down
I still remember that rumblin’ sound
And then the Sheriff came around in the middle of the night
Heard mama crying, knew something wasn’t right
He was headed down to Knoxville with the weekly load
You could smell the whiskey burnin’ down Copperhead Road
Hey!
Hey! Hey!
I volunteered for the Army on my birthday
They drafted the white trash first, around here anyway
I done two tour’s of duty in Vietnam
I came home with a brand new plan
I take the seed from Colombia and Mexico
I just plant it up the holler down Copperhead Road
And now the D.E.A’s got a chopper in the air
I wake up screaming like I’m back over there
I learnt a thing or two from Charlie, don’t you know
You better stay away from Copperhead Road
Copperhead Road
Copperhead Road
Ha! Copperhead Road