I was 17 when I first heard this song on my way to work. I instantly knew it would be a hit even if it didn’t make it to #1. It’s still a classic all these years later.
WOW! Great memory! Thanks for sharing. I can't imagine. I always thought it would've been awesome to see The Boss at The Stone Pony just as he was breaking out. I'll add seeing Steve Earle in a dive bar singing Copperhead Road to that fantasy list. You're a lucky guy.
It's still very good, and there are many more shows to choose from. But Conan is my all time favorite. Respect to Johnny and Dave, love them, but Conan was the best.
I agree. I picked up on it when this song came out. My take is he was growing weed in the hollows and he protects it with what he “learned from Charlie” ie trip wires and bamboo drop traps. It’s probably my favorite line of the song. Very clever
amazing fact: this guy is still recording and performing. of course, fm radio wont touch him - you gotta buy the cd, tickets and seek his shows. he's a national treasure in the same breath as a ray charles, bonnie raitt and johnny cash.
In my opinion, there best live performance of this song. They were all on point & Steve’s voice literally sounds like the studio version here. Such a solid track.
Agreed! I’ve been watching his different versions as of late (we’re all getting older) and I joy them all but yes, this it at the top of his game for this song.
Wate 6 on your side is the channel Ijust watched it on, he just performed this on the Tennessee House Floor, they made it their State song if you've not seen /heard. Pretty cool
You probably dont care at all but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb forgot my password. I would love any assistance you can give me.
@Dwayne Collin thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
Song is about East Tennessee moonshine runnin’. My family roots are in west Tennessee and you best believe they did their share on running shine. They were poor sharecroppers and that was the only thing more profitable than chopping cotton. My dad was drafted the Vietnam era or my dumb but would be in prison with my cousins. Thankfully I joined the Air Force in 1989 and escaped what would’ve been a disastrous life. Say what you will but the military changed the course of my family’s future. I have an engineer and production manager as sons. The cycle was was broken and I thank God every day.
Appalachian here and oh yes brother plenty of that mountain dew from early 1900s to 1940s. Most moved to Indiana then north. I joined the navy in 1988.
My in-laws escaped Appalachia in the early 50s. He joined the Air Force when he was 17. 22 years, retired an E8. It worked out for them. Three tours in Viet Nam in those 22 years.
Steve was one of the 1st songwriters I met when I first moved to "NashVeagas" back in the early 80s. He's written so many great songs. Thats my buddy Zip Gibson in the back playing the white Les Paul, Miss you Zipper!
@@mjuhanil I don't know, I got busy with studio work, family and house payments & we kind if lost touch. He moved back to Texas with his brother and cousin, all very talented musicians who had formed The Zip Gibson band and had put out a few songs on a blues compilation record called Good Whiskey Blues which is on U-tube. 1 or 2 that we recorded at Quad Studios where I worked.
Is it somewhat cool that I first knew of this awesome dude watching HBO tv show The Wire? I had a feeling that the dude probably played music as well & even assume that the theme song used in the shows final season probably was song by the same person. Eventually found out that all of my assumptions were true than even crazier than that my uncle is a huge fan of Steve Earle and growing up he own a few of his albums. I actually first heard of this song listening to CoasttoCoastam with George Noory. Now I know about Townes Van Zandt because of Steve Earle. Amazing stuff indeed.
My Mom played the piano and the mandolin in the 40's through the 60's. It has always been one of my favorite instruments And yes my family were hillbillies from the Appalachian Mountains. And yes my Dad's family were coal miners and moonshiners. Proud of my roots.....
dang look at his eyes. now i know what i looked like in my early 20's. glad you're still with us steve! you're an inspiration to all us former junkies!
@@PhantomPanichis one is actually legit if you do your research asshole. How many times do you just throw that comment out although I see where you're coming from because I do get sick of people saying that myself but in this case this man was actually underrated for the talent that He had.
@@mountainfolksbigstar how many people know Steve Earle.... He was a talent that is underrated and written so many songs told so many amazing stories and his songs and yet Nicki Minaj and cardi b and girls with big asses rule the radio waves
This song just ignites something inside of me, still to this day. I remember when I first started hearing it and I couldn’t get enough of it and I was just a kid. An older kid, but a kid nonetheless. It just never got old. And if we were out being stupid once I got older, drinking and riding backroads, going way too fast, it felt even better to listen to it. I never knew this man was so talented though and honestly I never really thought about the lyrics and what was happening throughout the song. DAMNN! lol
I can't imagine a song this real and straight from the soul being accepted by people in 2023. What a shame. I'm grateful Steve found the guts to do what he needed to do to still be with us.
Saw Steve and his band at a small (160 seat) venue in Tomball, TX. When they played "Copperhead" the entire place came alive. Great song by a great artist.
Saw him five times, once in Kitchener Ontario Canada. Four rows in front of us were full of Satan’s Choice, he had them there to sing Justice In Ontario. Awesome concert!
Steve has posted numerous videos providing educational background info for his rather extensive guitar and mandolin collection. They are very entertaining to watch because in addition to discovering the history later in the videos he includes a song. His level of knowledge of guitars is off the charts and as others have mentioned, he's a very talented songwriter and musician.
Steve could have been way bigger than he was if it wasn't for the heroin. He had the looks and the talent to go very far. You can tell how hard he was going just from the music video and this performance released within the same year.
@@Say_No-2_Animal-Abuse_ Just enjoy! this is one of the most badass rock songs ever written still gives me chills everytime I listen to it. What good musician in that day wasn't high.... enjoy the song, it's a classic
I was thinking the same thing. No question he was high here..especially if you saw his interview w/ Letterman after his performance. Glad he got sober. Phenomenal songwriter. Total Communist.
One bad badass player and singer. SUPERB!! This song kills! Perfect I start every day listening to Steve Earle THIS IS A VERY GOOD SONG THANK YOU GOOD JOB ROCK AN ROLL MY FRIEND 👍
watching this ... someone is outta tune The actual definition of America . Who's the punk that disliked this? I start every day listening to Steve Earle
I am from Chicago. I was raised on DooWop, and Motown. So, I am new to the immense talent of Steve Earle. Like my life partner said , it's never to late to Discover the Brilliant writing talents of such a complicated man I am here to say Steve Earle is the Shit, the real Deal, God Bless u Steve, u will be with your Son again please accept my Condolences Brother.
I can't say I'm from Tennessee, I'm from South Jersey, but my Dad has his share of big block Dodges, and I voted at the Mason's Lodge for a few years. It has since closed, Dad passed on, but this is one of my all time favorite songs! Oh, and I still have Dad's 331, 392 & 426 hemi in his shop as well as his 440 Superbird
The line about 'the revenue man wanted grandaddy bad' always gets me. He didn't care that grandaddy was making moonshine. He DID care, however, that grandaddy wasn't paying taxes on the moonshine. He was an IRS agent, which is why they were referred to as revenuers.
The Lead guitar player is definitely out of tune, it's very noticeable, to the point of not wanting to listen to it, I only made it halfway through the second half.
At a hank Jr. Concert in 8/88 b'ham ala thurogood couldn't make it so Steve and the boys filled in. It was remarkable and fresh. "THE Other Kind" steve also played on letterman that night. So good
That's Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band, right there. :-) NBC sucked when they wouldn't let the band keep the name after Dave took his show to CBS.
![Steve Earle - "Copperhead Road" [Live from Austin, TX]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CwGu-7NLOlE/mqdefault.jpg)
![Warren Zevon - Lawyers, Guns & Money [1989]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wT9XlQi0yew/mqdefault.jpg)
There's that Scotch Irish thang going -- bagpipes -- the Rebel Yell -- all those elements reaching out from the mind and genius of Steve Earle.
Scot/Irish/Welsh roots, miners and shiners.
I was 17 when I first heard this song on my way to work. I instantly knew it would be a hit even if it didn’t make it to #1. It’s still a classic all these years later.
. ❤️🕊🕊❤️🕊 Ulster Scotch Irish refugees....first to settle in the deepest parts of Appalachia. No one else dared!
@@TEM14411those people are bad asses, they are known for it in Europe as well
30 years later and still gives me the chills!!!’
35 years ago you mean haha
Saw this live in a 50 person bar, along with the back story from Steve himself... what a hoot that was.
WOW! Great memory! Thanks for sharing. I can't imagine. I always thought it would've been awesome to see The Boss at The Stone Pony just as he was breaking out. I'll add seeing Steve Earle in a dive bar singing Copperhead Road to that fantasy list. You're a lucky guy.
Awesome ‼️👍
@@raywalsh9152Beatles at the Cavern Club would've been great
I can imagine that! 👍🏼👊🏼
When late night television was great
Oh no, no no!! It's much better now with Colbert and Kimmel using their shows as a left wing platform!!
@@bobtillman5769both a couple p😸y A holes
@@bobtillman5769 Whine more
It's still very good, and there are many more shows to choose from.
But Conan is my all time favorite. Respect to Johnny and Dave, love them, but Conan was the best.
@@thedude4672 Oh STFU. Late nigh tv is terrible now. Nothing at all redeeming about it.
"I learned a thing or two from Charlie" is such an overlooked line
I agree. I picked up on it when this song came out. My take is he was growing weed in the hollows and he protects it with what he “learned from Charlie” ie trip wires and bamboo drop traps. It’s probably my favorite line of the song. Very clever
99% ppl have no clue!
so did I
amazing fact: this guy is still recording and performing. of course, fm radio wont touch him - you gotta buy the cd, tickets and seek his shows. he's a national treasure in the same breath as a ray charles, bonnie raitt and johnny cash.
YES
Hey where do you live I live in Australia in Victoria the only Steve Earle song I've heard on the radio is Copperhead Road
On FM radio Triple M
Feel so privileged to have seen him perform live (Birmingham, UK c 15 years ago)
RADIO SUCKS ALL OVER😢
In my opinion, there best live performance of this song. They were all on point & Steve’s voice literally sounds like the studio version here. Such a solid track.
Agreed! I’ve been watching his different versions as of late (we’re all getting older) and I joy them all but yes, this it at the top of his game for this song.
Wate 6 on your side is the channel Ijust watched it on, he just performed this on the Tennessee House Floor, they made it their State song if you've not seen /heard. Pretty cool
Yeh, I tend to agree. Even with the VHS recording!
*they’re*
Ur lying
Best badass song ever written about America's underground economy.
100% true story. One of the best songs ever
You probably dont care at all but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account??
I was dumb forgot my password. I would love any assistance you can give me.
@Dwayne Collin thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and im in the hacking process atm.
Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Dwayne Collin It worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thanks so much, you saved my ass!
@Enoch Benicio Happy to help :D
Song is about East Tennessee moonshine runnin’. My family roots are in west Tennessee and you best believe they did their share on running shine. They were poor sharecroppers and that was the only thing more profitable than chopping cotton. My dad was drafted the Vietnam era or my dumb but would be in prison with my cousins. Thankfully I joined the Air Force in 1989 and escaped what would’ve been a disastrous life. Say what you will but the military changed the course of my family’s future. I have an engineer and production manager as sons. The cycle was was broken and I thank God every day.
Appalachian here and oh yes brother plenty of that mountain dew from early 1900s to 1940s. Most moved to Indiana then north. I joined the navy in 1988.
My in-laws escaped Appalachia in the early 50s. He joined the Air Force when he was 17. 22 years, retired an E8. It worked out for them. Three tours in Viet Nam in those 22 years.
my brother and I both broke the cycle of family poverty by joining the Army. I went on to become a doctor and he became an engineer after.
@@Simon-talks My Lord, I’m so thankful for you!
@@Simon-talks you don’t really know unless you know:
Steve was one of the 1st songwriters I met when I first moved to "NashVeagas" back in the early 80s. He's written so many great songs. Thats my buddy Zip Gibson in the back playing the white Les Paul, Miss you Zipper!
I met Steve while I was in Carter Vintage Guitars one day. Steve was there dropping off some of his old guitars to sell.
What happened to Zip
@@mjuhanil I don't know, I got busy with studio work, family and house payments & we kind if lost touch. He moved back to Texas with his brother and cousin, all very talented musicians who had formed The Zip Gibson band and had put out a few songs on a blues compilation record called Good Whiskey Blues which is on U-tube. 1 or 2 that we recorded at Quad Studios where I worked.
Is it somewhat cool that I first knew of this awesome dude watching HBO tv show The Wire? I had a feeling that the dude probably played music as well & even assume that the theme song used in the shows final season probably was song by the same person. Eventually found out that all of my assumptions were true than even crazier than that my uncle is a huge fan of Steve Earle and growing up he own a few of his albums. I actually first heard of this song listening to CoasttoCoastam with George Noory. Now I know about Townes Van Zandt because of Steve Earle. Amazing stuff indeed.
Name drop much?
One of the best songs ever written - really great story......
This song would have made a great movie.
Look up Robert Mitchum in Thunder Road. Its an old black and white.
I think Robert wrote directed and starred in it.
Try "Lawless"....purty darn close.
See a movie named Lawless with Tom Hardy excellent movie about moon shining
@@jerrykinnin7941 Great movie.
Thunder Road
Steve Earle is Mr country. He writes the best songs he is the man. I country line dance at my cousin wedding. Huge fan.
My Mom played the piano and the mandolin in the 40's through the 60's. It has always been one of my favorite instruments And yes my family were hillbillies from the Appalachian Mountains. And yes my Dad's family were coal miners and moonshiners. Proud of my roots.....
Same here, WbgVa and SE Ohio.
dang look at his eyes. now i know what i looked like in my early 20's. glad you're still with us steve! you're an inspiration to all us former junkies!
it sucks that Steve lost is son to it. ;(
Steve Earle is so underrated, he has so many good songs besides this one
And there it is ladies and gentlemen. The RUclips underrated comment...
How was this big star underrated?
Idk, maybe just in canada then
@@PhantomPanichis one is actually legit if you do your research asshole. How many times do you just throw that comment out although I see where you're coming from because I do get sick of people saying that myself but in this case this man was actually underrated for the talent that He had.
@@mountainfolksbigstar how many people know Steve Earle.... He was a talent that is underrated and written so many songs told so many amazing stories and his songs and yet Nicki Minaj and cardi b and girls with big asses rule the radio waves
After all these years I still listen to this song
Saw him live on this tour. Kamloops BC Canada. One of the best concerts I've seen.
I was 12 years old
I was there too
Masterpiece. Steve Earle is a savage!! Massive artist. 🔥💯🤠
This song just ignites something inside of me, still to this day. I remember when I first started hearing it and I couldn’t get enough of it and I was just a kid. An older kid, but a kid nonetheless. It just never got old. And if we were out being stupid once I got older, drinking and riding backroads, going way too fast, it felt even better to listen to it. I never knew this man was so talented though and honestly I never really thought about the lyrics and what was happening throughout the song. DAMNN! lol
I saw him and Allison Moorer in anchorage Alaska 2005 . Became a fan. Saw him on The Wire. Now revisiting his music. I’m addicted.
I still remember that rumbling sound !
Shout out to David Letterman - he always had cool musical guests!
Boy, he sure did. He had a favorite of mine, Nanci Griffith, on 19 times.
I just watched Tracy Chapman doing Stand By Me on Letterman ❤
@@darthlundgren8442 That was the last time she performed publicly before last week, on the Grammy broadcast!
The coolest ; Warren Zevon , Tom Waits , Capt . Beefheart . Where
else on television would that happen ?
I sure do miss Dave , the guy that took over sucks
Still a Bad A&$ song all time classic I still plant seeds from Columbia and Mexico
I can't imagine a song this real and straight from the soul being accepted by people in 2023. What a shame. I'm grateful Steve found the guts to do what he needed to do to still be with us.
Chris Stapleton broke through to the mainstream more than Steve Earle ever did. There was plenty of plastic garbage music in the 80s.
Nice job guys, that whole album is tops I always play it start to finish.
Saw Steve and his band at a small (160 seat) venue in Tomball, TX. When they played "Copperhead" the entire place came alive. Great song by a great artist.
Uk thrash metal fan here appreciating this amazing song. Wow
Stirs the blood. 🎶🎸Steve is the real deal. 😊👍
Saw him five times, once in Kitchener Ontario Canada. Four rows in front of us were full of Satan’s Choice, he had them there to sing Justice In Ontario. Awesome concert!
Whoa. What a performance!
What a badass performance. I can't even imagine seeing something like that on live TV these days. Would love to hear Dave's interview:)
This video has both the performance and the entire interview after: ruclips.net/video/6AoysLSHNSo/видео.htmlsi=0MNZq_KgMLrXYtvu
Steve Earle has always been my favorite musical artist❤❤❤❤
Thanks for posting this, been looking for it! I remember watching it when it came on, awesome rendition!
This band introduced a lot of us to a great portion of music
And That's how you do it !!! Killer Song !!! Steve Earl so underrated!!! Need more of this please!!!
Steve has posted numerous videos providing educational background info for his rather extensive guitar and mandolin collection. They are very entertaining to watch because in addition to discovering the history later in the videos he includes a song. His level of knowledge of guitars is off the charts and as others have mentioned, he's a very talented songwriter and musician.
Timeless song. Still amazing!!!
Steve was stoned out of his mind! He kept it together for this show. He still did amazing job! Just love this song and the Mandolin. Shawn
Steve could have been way bigger than he was if it wasn't for the heroin. He had the looks and the talent to go very far. You can tell how hard he was going just from the music video and this performance released within the same year.
Don't be an idiot.....he was sober.....maybe watch the interview before you spew off ! ruclips.net/video/6AoysLSHNSo/видео.html
His teeth even looked different. I know, teeth "age" but I believe he was in deep with the dope.
@@Say_No-2_Animal-Abuse_ Just enjoy! this is one of the most badass rock songs ever written still gives me chills everytime I listen to it. What good musician in that day wasn't high.... enjoy the song, it's a classic
I was thinking the same thing. No question he was high here..especially if you saw his interview w/ Letterman after his performance. Glad he got sober. Phenomenal songwriter. Total Communist.
One of the truly great songs with top class production.
I agree this is by far the best I've ever heard this sung .. fantastic !
This was my 80's music.
Incredible song!
Great song I listen to it every chance I get
One bad badass player and singer.
SUPERB!!
This song kills!
Perfect
I start every day listening to Steve Earle
THIS IS A VERY GOOD SONG THANK YOU GOOD JOB ROCK AN ROLL MY FRIEND 👍
This song takes me back to the day my brother stumble upon my great uncle stash he thought it was water only 5 at the time got sick as a dog
Wonderful.
I start every day listening to Steve Earle
Same
That's me with the Sex Pistols.
My goodness that is a giant CD David Letterman has!
Lmao,
A vinyl record. When music was GREAT.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤘🤘
@@jerrykinnin7941 thank goodness! i thought someone ran over the 8-track!
The vid was like a movie - I loved it.
I just noticed that except for the guitarist right behind Steve, that was Letterman's "House Band" playing.
Lists of my kinfolk run whisky and was chased by the law. This song hits home for me.
I live in mtns of NC, a huge part of my family history
Should be a movie, great song good story
watching this ... someone is outta tune
The actual definition of America
.
Who's the punk that disliked this?
I start every day listening to Steve Earle
Love this song.
I am from Chicago. I was raised on DooWop, and Motown. So, I am new to the immense talent of Steve Earle. Like my life partner said , it's never to late to Discover the Brilliant writing talents of such a complicated man I am here to say Steve Earle is the Shit, the real Deal, God Bless u Steve, u will be with your Son again please accept my Condolences Brother.
What’s a Life Partner
His lover is a fellow male!
This takes me back to when u was 7 maybe 8 best thing on radio good good times running deer dogs with dad and loving life
I can't say I'm from Tennessee, I'm from South Jersey, but my Dad has his share of big block Dodges, and I voted at the Mason's Lodge for a few years. It has since closed, Dad passed on, but this is one of my all time favorite songs! Oh, and I still have Dad's 331, 392 & 426 hemi in his shop as well as his 440 Superbird
Saw him in 2006 he's still got it. Amazing mandolin player!!
The line about 'the revenue man wanted grandaddy bad' always gets me.
He didn't care that grandaddy was making moonshine. He DID care, however, that grandaddy wasn't paying taxes on the moonshine.
He was an IRS agent, which is why they were referred to as revenuers.
watching this ... someone is outta tune
I start every day listening to Steve Earle
The actual definition of America
.
The Lead guitar player is definitely out of tune, it's very noticeable, to the point of not wanting to listen to it, I only made it halfway through the second half.
Live music with no backing tracks. Awesome
Love this song ❤️❤️
At a hank Jr. Concert in 8/88 b'ham ala thurogood couldn't make it so Steve and the boys filled in. It was remarkable and fresh. "THE Other Kind" steve also played on letterman that night. So good
Just one badass song!!!
How badass is an electric mandolin? This song is a masterpiece.
Love Steve Earle
Met Steve Earle in the 1990s. Very good dude
Letterman and his audience were not ready for this
Damn that was badass stuff
One of my favorites to sing at karaoke. Lots of soul
Love this guy then & more now
How good is this it a masterpiece
grandad was gangsta af.
Whole family generation of badasses
The good old days when live music was live
This performance kicks ass. It’s better than the studio version.
That was a damn good performance. Thanks for the upload.
This is the embodiment of COOL !
I did two tours in Vietnam and I came back with a different plan…too!
One bad badass player and singer.
Looks like we got criss angel on the guitar 🎸
Probably
The best live performance of the song ever
Just saw him in Santa Fe. The master.
I love music
steve high as a kite for a change lol ...amazing song !!
Just got back from Amsterdam
I gotta’ brand new plan
What a great song.
That is a really good live performance
If this country music Count me in !!! Waaaaay better then any of that useless crap today in 2021
Tyler Childers
IT'S A FRIGGIN MASTERPIECE!
That song makes me wanna stomp the floor and shake it all over. Waaaaaah!!!!!✌👵
My goodness that is a giant CD David Letterman has!
SUPERB!!
watching this ... someone is outta tune
I think so, Steve's mandolin and the high strings on the lead are out by as much as a half a step
Hi strings, Lo strings, who gives a sh*t!
-Happy Gilmore probably
THIS IS A VERY GOOD SONG THANK YOU GOOD JOB ROCK AN ROLL MY FRIEND 👍
Awesome
One of my all time favorite songs. Country line dancers tried to ruin it, but it lives on
The definition of cool
Well that was something.
That's Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band, right there. :-) NBC sucked when they wouldn't let the band keep the name after Dave took his show to CBS.
BeLynda Smith thanks, l didn't recognize the guys until I saw your comment
Pure fucking Gold
The last decade when America was America the 80s
@Shad Rock BLM started in the 90s
Whatever that means.
Is is Country Music genre? [I love it btw]
Watching this ... someone is outta tune
The actual definition of America
.
Steve Earl is like Jimmy Buffett
All the good stations play them.
The guy on the Les Paul is out of tune