I came to the songs of John Prine indirectly, initially in the early 1970’s through John Denver’s cover of “Paradise” which I learned to play on guitar. The chords were easy, the conversational lyrics were memorably poignant but not too sappy, and I could just about sing them on key. I wasn’t smart enough to run out and buy Prine’s first albums, however, and before long it seemed there were too many to choose from.
In the later 1970’s, I moved to Washington, DC, and started spending more time with Barb’s family in Virginia. One of the families they had known as neighbors when they lived in Annandale, the Brinscos, had moved to the wilds of Greenbelt, Maryland. The moms stayed in touch and every once in a while we would travel out to their house for a summer barbecue. Those evenings would usually end with the Brinscos pulling out guitars and singing a variety of songs that leaned heavily on John Prine’s catalog. That’s what really introduced me to “Illegal Smile”, “Dear Abby”, “Sam Stone”, “Hello In There” and many more. I’d never known a family that would play and sing together, and boy, did they like John Prine. It was a little bit embarrassing but the songs were fun and we enjoyed sort of singing along. The Brinscos ended up singing at our wedding a few years later, but not any Prine songs that I recall — sentimental love songs were not his specialty, at least not until later.
I started noticing Prine’s songs popped up frequently on my favorite radio station, WHFS, but I was still slow to buy his albums. I think the first one I did buy was “Aimless Love” in 1984 which was good but not one of his greats. I don’t think I actually bought any other of his albums, I’m embarrassed to say.
In 1992, Barb’s Dad met and married his second wife, Fran, and moved eventually to Montana. They mutually became big John Prine fans, buying albums and going to his concerts. Their avowed favorite songs were “Spanish Pipedream” and “Please Don’t Bury Me”. We were a little put off by their enthusiasm but I figured that wasn’t John’s fault. He was also a favorite of Joe’s and Betsy’s and I know they saw him at Red Rocks at least once. Joe always had an amazing ability to remember his lyrics and could kick into them at odd moments, driving a car or a golf cart.
Prine kept on putting out albums and there always seemed to be some gems on each one, like “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness”, “All the Best”, “It’s a Big Old Goofy World”, “Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody”, “Lake Marie” and on and on. He wasn’t generating hits, but he was a committed craftsman, sticking with simple but precise song structures and honing his lyrics, making you listen. Lots of other great artists continued to cover his songs as well, keeping old and new ones in circulation.
In 1998, Prine had surgery for throat cancer and it seemed he might be silenced, but the next year he was back with an album of duets, “In Spite of Ourselves”. It was one of his best and most accessible, even if the songs were mostly favorites of his written by other people. Around this time, I found my way to Napster and the ability to download tons of free (pirated) songs. One of the first artists I explored in detail was John Prine. I finally had access to his whole catalog and grabbed a bunch of his best. More recently, I’ve done similar deep dives and explorations via YouTube and Apple Music. My belated apologies to his bank account and record company that they gained little from my deepening fandom.
Prine kept turning out albums and touring through the 2000s, making his way into the realm of an Americana icon as the genre started to take shape. In 2011, I finally saw him (with Richard Thompson opening) at Wolf Trap (set list). He put on a very friendly, laid back show. He was not an energetic performer, at least not that night, but warm and wry. Very enjoyable.
Prine battled cancer again in 2018, this time in his lungs. Once again, he rebounded with “The Tree of Forgiveness”, one of his best albums.
In early February of 2020, I stumbled upon the “All the Best Festival” to be held in Punta Cana in November. I mentioned it to Barb and was shocked to find she was interested in coming for a week’s vacation. I extended the offer to Allie and her boyfriend, Dan, and was pleasantly surprised they were interested, too. A few weeks later, we had our reservations and I looked forward to the prospect of seeing him and a bunch of like-minded artists. I also felt like it would make good on a lifetime of enjoying his music without having properly paid for it.
A couple of days ago, we learned that John Prine was in the hospital with severe Covid-19 symptoms. We deeply hope he recovers and wish him all the best (obvious pun intended, with apologies). I write this note as a way of saying thanks for all the happy memories and intersections John Prine’s music has made in my life. It took me a while to properly appreciate John Prine, but over a lifetime his songs have become old friends. He’s been a musical craftsman of the first order for more than 50 years. I’m hoping for at least a few more.
For the moment, I’ve put together a YouTube playlist of my John Prine favorites by him and by others. I’ve also done an iTunes playlist that includes studio versions not on YouTube and additional songs. I hope one way or another you will come to find some old friends, too.
I wrote this appreciation a few days before John passed away on April 7, 2020. Rest in peace, John.
Here are a few of the better articles and tributes I’ve seen about John and his career.
Washington Post, April 9, 2020, “John Prine’s lyrical one-liners could take your breath away”
All Songs Considered, John Prine’s Life in 10 Songs
NPR Music, Ann Powers, “John Prine’s Songs Saw The Whole of Us“
Roger Ebert’s review of John Prine performance in Chicago Sun Times, October 1970
Studs Terkel 1970 interview with John Prine (and performances)
Studs Terkel 1975 interview with John Prine
Rolling Stone, John Prine Tribute: The Last Days and Beautiful Life of an American Original
Rolling Stone, John Prine: 25 Essential Songs
Rolling Stone, John Prine Tribute Set by other artists
No Depression, Don’t Forget to Write, by John Prine
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