The Prine 5’s
1. How did you discover John Prine?
Good story. 1983: In between my time at Cu Boulder and before I joined the army I got involved in a community theater group in town and the director of the current show lived two houses down the street and they were playing the album and then gathered with cast members usually each night and sat in the back yard on a cool summer night and played Prine in guitar circles singing his songs. I was hooked.
2. What makes him so special?
It is difficult when critics reaction to y our first album begins calling you the next Dylan – as happened with Prine. He discounted all this and simply referred to himself as just a singing mailman – his job prior to being discovered playing in a tavern in downtown Chicago with Steve Goodman. Kris Kristopherson was in the audience and subsequently met Prine and the rest is history. But through all that, he remained an every man and considered himself a songwriter and guitar player who discovered a microphone and a voice.
3. Let’s say I have never heard the music, but you are interested. What’s one critical studio introductory song?
Sam Stone
4. And also, one live performance that gives a good introduction to Prine.
Lake Marie
5. Is there a standout lyric of his that sticks with you? Why?
It’s folksy lyrical whimsey.
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
I know a guy that’s got a lot to lose
He’s a pretty nice fellow, kinda confused
Got muscles in his head, ain’t never been used
Thinks he own half of this town
Starts drinking heavy, gets a big red nose
Beats his old lady with a rubber hose
Then he takes her out to dinner, buys her new clothes
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
You’re up one day, the next you’re down
It’s half an inch of water and you think you’re gonna drown
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
I was sitting in the bathtub, counting my toes
When the radiator broke, water all froze
I got stuck in the ice without my clothes
Naked as the eyes of a clown
I was crying, “Ice cube”, hoping I’d croak
When the sun come through the window, the ice all broke
I stood up and laughed, thought it was a joke
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
You’re up one day, the next you’re down
It’s half an inch of water and you think you’re gonna drown
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
You’re up one day, the next you’re down
It’s half an inch of water and you think you’re gonna drown
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
That’s the way that the world goes ’round
(Suggested by Lono /hat tip.)
Friday Fives – Thoughts on John Prine
Posted on April 11, 2020
RIP John Prine: America’s Humanity In Song and Story | The …
How did you discover John Prine?
From Roy. Roy has turned me on to more great music than perhaps any other single person in my life. Or Kermit. Those two are responsible for just about everything I listen to. BUT… Roy gets extra points. Roy turned me on to new artists when I was older. This is almost impossible to do.
Anyway, he created a bootleg DVD of ‘Sessions at West 54th’. It is a perfect performance on every level. First, the song selection. It’s a nice combo of obscure personal favorites of his, and all the ‘hits’. AND… perhaps most important… his sense of humor. The show is very much of the vain of ‘Storytellers’. Here are some of the performances below.
What makes him so special?
The way he turns a phrase. It is more than just lyrics, but how he uses them. In one sentence, he can tell a 30 page novel. From‘All the Best’
I wish you love – and happiness
I guess I wish – you all the best
I wish you don’t – do like I do
And never fall in love with someone like you
Man… those last two lines tell of a lifetime. He seems to be saying genuinely “I want you to be happy. Here is how you can be happy. Don’t do what I did. I fucked up bad, because I fell for you. And you destroyed me! So, I hope you don’t have to go through the misery you put me through.” There is an urban legend that he sang this at an ex wife’s wedding. Prine has a protégé in the great Todd Snider. Snider expressed this sentiment even better. This is from my favorite song of Snider’s ‘Too Soon to Tell’.
Are you ready for the most perfect John Prine-iest lyric not written by John Prine?
“I wish I could show you how you hurt me in a way that wouldn’t hurt you too”. The influence is very traceable, too – from John Prine to Todd Snider. Prine discovered Todd Snider, took him on tour, and released his albums. Here is some Todd.
Let’s say I have never heard the music, but am interested. Give me one critical studio song
Sam Stone. A heartbreaking piece of timeless social commentary… done by a goddamn kid! He was 23 when he wrote that. It’s not the song he is famous for, but it is John Prine 101. The song he is famous for, and that even you should know, is ‘Angel from Montgomery’. Bonnie Raitt took this song and ran with it. I dare say 40% of Prine’s exposure to the world is thanks to Bonnie Raitt making it a hit. Listen to this live version, and ESPECIALLY listen to how she executes on that last verse… the one that begins ‘there’s flies in the kitchen…’
ok, now one live one
how the hell can a person go to work in the morning, come home in the evening, and have nothing to say?
how about another stand out lyric?
this certainly relates to the conversation above. Where 1 line is telling the story of a 30 year marriage crumbling. This is from Lake Marie –
Many years later we found ourselves in Canada
Trying to save our marriage and perhaps catch a few fish
Whatever seemed easier
I got to see him live some years ago. Setlist FM seems to think it was about a decade ago. Here is the link and date and setlist. Red Rocks, baby! Got to see him with the late great Levon Helm. Here is a clip from that very show.
As news about his passing made it around, I was very surprised how influential he was. I had assumed he was a niche folky. I was wrong. He was a master songwriter, and class on economy of words. Every great songwriter knew him and was influenced by his. This is great, because Prine doesn’t fall in your lap. I have never heard a Prine song on the radio. John Cale, or someone said ‘Velvet Underground may have only sold 40,000 records… but every one who bought one of those records went out and started a band.” *** Editors note to self– close. This is the actual quote, and it’s from Brian Eno
I LOVE that line. I don’t like Cale, or 98% of the Velvet Underground… but that quote is pure bliss. Prine gives us Todd Snider, Bonnie Raitt, Sturgill Simpson, Kasey Musgraves.