Released in 1988, "Copperhead Road" became a career-defining hit for Earle, blending bluegrass with heavy rock—a style sometimes called "power twang". It is now one of the .
: Critics have noted that "on paper," the album should never have been made due to Earle's personal struggles at the time, including his heroin addiction and legal troubles. Steve Earle - Copperhead Road
In the context of "paper" most commonly refers to a specific physical edition of the single or the real-world news story that inspired the lyrics. Released in 1988, "Copperhead Road" became a career-defining