John Prine Leaves Us With The Wisdom from Another World (RIP)
This world never deserved John Prine, and now the bill has come due. His fellow artists and songwriters always knew what they had within their midst. Attentive audiences don’t need to be told how the influence and observational brilliance of John Prine reshaped our world and brought understanding and light to many. But he remained humbly “ours” for 73 gracious years, while the rest of the world trod by unbeknown, or only knowing him from the performances of his song by others. It’s those others—the ones who don’t know, and may never know of Prine’s work—who have suffered a loss. For the rest of us, we remain filled with the poetic decadence his music served to us, and will for eternity.
We were lucky that we had John Prine as long as we did—on loan from the cosmos, or wherever his spirit emanated from. But life on this cold ball of rock was always too ordered and normal for John. So now he’s moved on to where light and love comprise the ground and sky, to spin his little stories that might seem silly or even inane if written on paper, but rang profound in our hearts and souls.
John Prine wrote kids songs for adults. His whimsical tales enhanced with tiny observances of life’s perfect little details were treasure troves of wit, hiding a deeper wisdom that helped breed understanding of larger meanings, sugar-coated so they went down easy, but with all the potency of the most powerful odes in the history of music or poetry.
Don’t mourn for John Prine. He would be embarrassed by all the hubbub being made about his passing. John Prine never knew that he was John Prine, remaining surprised anyone cared about his scribblings and bad singing all the way up to his death. His humility and honest surprise at the reception he received and the success he enjoyed just made us love him even more, exacerbating his embarrassment, and humility. Of course digesting this news is hard, but we can be consoled in knowing John Prine received what many of his master songwriting brethren rarely or ever receive—deserved recognition.
In recent years, John Prine had become the patron saint of Americana. John Prine set historic numbers for the release of his 2018 album The Tree of Forgiveness—his first album of original material in 13 years. He also won the Americana Artist of the Year in both 2017 and 2018, won both the Americana Song of the Year and Album of the Year in 2019, and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity as younger artists embraced him as a songwriting pioneer and legend. Prine was also nominated for consideration by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, speaking to his wide influence. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammys in early 2020.
But selfish as we are, we were still hoping for more. It doesn’t help that while suffering from a laundry list of maladies even before he became arguably the most devastating of the Coronavirus victims, John Prine remained at the very top of his game. If John Prine sang, or even spoke, you shut your trap, leaned in, and listened. Because you never new what profundity may stumble out. At any moment, John Prine could offer more wisdom accidentally than many scribes are able to conjure in hours, days, or even lifetimes of laborious effort. And now that little dynamo that made life that much more enriching has moved on. What a mother of a damn shame.
But luckily, John Prine left us a great collection of songs from John Prine to help guide us through a world without him. And if we ever needed the songs of John Prine, it would be now.
So long you little bastard. It’s just like you to pick the perfect time to exit.
– – – – – – – – –
John Prine passed away on April 7th due to complications from COVID-19, his family has confirmed. He was hospitalized on March 26 after showing Coronavirus symptoms, and was intubated a few days later.
Sam Cody
April 7, 2020 @ 7:33 pm
Damn.
Patricia Cox
April 8, 2020 @ 7:54 am
Love to Fiona and family. Such a hard loss. I raised my children playing John’s music. We can’t express the joy we’ve shared in that music. We’re morning with you. We’ll keep his music and his memory alive and honored.
Mark Williams
April 8, 2020 @ 1:46 pm
Though there are many song writers passed and present there will only be one Mr.Prine. He made us laugh, cry and get us through hard times. I know heaven will love him as much too. I know so many people have a place in their hearts. He may physicall y be gone ,but spiritually he will always be with us. RIP Mr Prine
Brian B
April 11, 2020 @ 1:45 pm
Being met on high by the likes of Kenny Rogers, Jan Howard, Joe Diffie and Bill Withers ain’t bad at all.
Sir Adam the Great
April 7, 2020 @ 7:33 pm
This one hit me like a ton of bricks. God bless ya, Mr. Prine, and thank you.
Aggc
April 7, 2020 @ 7:35 pm
Your best writing ever. A fitting homage to someone who meant so much to so many.
Erik North
April 7, 2020 @ 7:40 pm
Truly a huge loss, whether you were a fan of folk, country, blues, rock, or that strange jumble of all four known as Americana. John Prine is genuinely one of the irreplacables in this industry, and that kind of genius is exceptionally rare.
Banjo
April 7, 2020 @ 7:41 pm
Brought up on Prine. My favorite of all time. This hurts like the loss of a family member.
thegentile
April 7, 2020 @ 7:41 pm
rip. enjoy that cocktail and nine mile cigarette.
Zach
April 7, 2020 @ 7:47 pm
It’s hard to take. It can be hard enough to not start crying listening to John Prine on a regular day, I don’t stand a chance today
Jake Cutter
April 7, 2020 @ 7:50 pm
Thanks in part to this fine writing, I will do as requested and not mourn. Instead, I see some heavy rotation as tribute in my future, along with a big thank you to this man.
Michael Strait
April 7, 2020 @ 7:56 pm
Rest in peace, king.
Bri
April 7, 2020 @ 8:01 pm
Probably the saddest corona virus death so far. RIP 🙁
Gary Smith
April 7, 2020 @ 8:03 pm
I hope his 9 mile long cigarette was as good as he wanted it to be…
Bevil
April 7, 2020 @ 8:05 pm
Him and Woody Guthrie are having a high time now.
Doyle Hargraves
April 7, 2020 @ 8:08 pm
This was great. Great job of defining his contribution to our music. Prine was Morris’s hero. We’re gonna get the band back together this weekend and pick a few for John. We gotta stay under 3 people so Randy is gonna stay his ass home and tune his Yamaha.
TXMUSICJIM
April 7, 2020 @ 8:18 pm
Damn it!!! RIP Maestro thanks for sharing amazing gifts with us!!!
Eloise
April 8, 2020 @ 9:50 am
So lucky to have lived in Prine Time.
JB-Chicago
April 7, 2020 @ 8:20 pm
Dripping with cool the day he walked into the Warner Brothers warehouse here in Bensenville, IL up the street from where he lived in 1979 and shook my hand. Just as much last summer when I saw him at Ravinia here in Highland Park, IL. Glad I got to see him one last time sounding great but very sad tonight. 🙁
Feet
April 7, 2020 @ 8:21 pm
Thank you Mr. Prine
MitchP
April 7, 2020 @ 8:51 pm
Great piece Trig. This one hurts, and what a sad time we are all in right now. But you’re right, we should not mourn. I will be listening to his incredible legacy and celebrate his life. RIP
Erik
April 9, 2020 @ 2:02 pm
God bless the master story teller .we put his music on,rolled a fat one,and got an illegal smile in his honor.
JF
April 7, 2020 @ 8:57 pm
Well shit. RIP John and thanks for the songs. We will never stop listening to them.
Ron
April 7, 2020 @ 9:06 pm
A great tribute. Thanks on this sad evening.
Benny Lee
April 7, 2020 @ 9:35 pm
Crushed. Songwriting lost one of the all-time greats today. At least we have his beautiful work to hang onto and continue learning from.
Barn
April 7, 2020 @ 9:44 pm
Excellent tribute, Trig. The man is my hero,
“Send my mouth way down south
And kiss my ass goodbye”
Goodbye, John. And thanks. Say “hi” to Steve for me.
Orgirl1
April 7, 2020 @ 10:07 pm
RIP. 😢🎵❤️🌠🎼
eckiezZ!
April 7, 2020 @ 10:22 pm
The honor was all ours, Mr. Prine.
Blockman
April 7, 2020 @ 11:37 pm
Damn.
Blackh4t
April 7, 2020 @ 11:58 pm
Its painful.
And the worst part is telling people who say “who?” And then I never want to talk to them again.
I still remember the cassette of Bruised Orange that Dad marked with a coloured dot because us kids were too young to read but could enjoy the stories.
So now who is the world’s best songwriter?
I’m going with either Iris Dement or Fred Eaglesmith.
Also, how long until Steve Earle does an album called John and explains why he always really thought John was best and anything he said about Townes and Guy doesn’t count.
Dan Morris
April 8, 2020 @ 3:35 am
I can appreciate your sadness from Johns death but was the dig at Steve really necessary? He recorded those tributes because both Guy and Townes were personal friends and mentors. And as for songwriters I’d rank Steve right up there among the best ever.
Blackh4t
April 8, 2020 @ 12:26 pm
Of course it was necessary.
Steve is definately a talented writer, performer etc, but compared to what Lyle Lovett did with “step inside this house”, Steve seemed to be just doing some basic recordings of some songs that were done better originally, and release a press statement about how Townes was the best ever, but then it was that Townes was good but Guy really was the best.
Now it seems time for another acoustic version of Paradise and another interview that says something like “Guy was great, but John really captured life like no one else”
I have bought my share of albums from all artists mentioned, I can make a light hearted comment on it.
Dan Morris
April 8, 2020 @ 1:34 pm
I didn’t realize you were being light hearted, I thought you were going for snark I guess. Thats the problem with texting and the like. It’s easy to misread context and intent. I apoligize
Doug
April 8, 2020 @ 7:27 pm
You should research the facts (or watch Heartworn Highway) about Steve, Townes, and Guy before making off the mark comments. But halfway agree with Steve’s tribute albums. Though I’m a huge Guy fan, Steve’s album of Townes’ song is great. He changes them up. The Guy album could have been better.
Blackh4t
April 9, 2020 @ 1:10 am
I know a bit about the 3 of them. I haven’t watched Heartworn Highways but I have read “to live’s to fly” the Townes biography.
And bought many many cds of all of them including the rare one of all 3 together at the Bluebird.
Something that always struck me was that they 2 older guys never really seemed to reciprocate what Steve said about them.
Even the famous coffee table quote that got Steve’s name on so many Townes articles has the flip side of Townes comment “I’ve seen Dylan’s security guards and if he thinks he can dance on his coffee table he’s greatly mistaken” (quoted from memory, probably not accurate)
Anyway, my point is more how each time he recorded an album for a fallen great songwriter, he talked about how this particular one was the best ever. Now John is the latest great songwriter to leave us, it was an amusing thought that he might do it again.
I respect Steve for a lot of things, but he also has a lot of…. peculiarities.
P.s i found the Sunshine Boy album had a lot more rethinking than Townes. And “This One’s for him” is amazing.
As I mentioned earlier, the “step inside this house” double album of Lyle Lovett doing a tribute to texas songwriters is very top shelf. His follow ups not quite as good.
Doug
April 9, 2020 @ 4:59 am
I have the Blue Bird Cafe album also. Had it for years before I realized what a treasure it is.
To me Steve Earle is a genius. Bluegrass, rock, country, folk, blues….he can do everything great.
Jimmy
April 10, 2020 @ 2:41 pm
Steve Earle was mentored by both Townes and Guy. He grew as a songwriter with and around them. Your comment isn’t lighthearted, it’s misguided and dumb. But then saying Fred Eaglesmith, a Steve Earle clone if ever there was one, is the world’s best songwriter tells me all I need to know about your musical IQ.
Kev
April 8, 2020 @ 12:30 am
So nicely put, Trigger, thank you! A massive loss to the world!
James Hooker
April 8, 2020 @ 1:54 am
Thanks, Trigger.
Kent
April 8, 2020 @ 2:49 am
Rest In Peace John
About 2 month ago at Gävle concert hall in Sweden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5VQNZryHpM We have lost a truly great human. Thanks for all your songs John.
Willie Ray
April 8, 2020 @ 3:37 am
Great Tribute Trigger.
Thanks mate.
Daniele
April 8, 2020 @ 3:40 am
What a loss. A true master for all of us songwriter, i was supposed to see him live for the first time in ireland. Thanks for the lessons John.
Jack Williams
April 8, 2020 @ 5:12 am
I shed a few tears after hearing about this. Last time that happened when someone I didn’t know personally died was in 1979 and that my favorite ballplayer Thurman Munson.
I had been avoiding listening to When I Get to Heaven since we got the news that John had the virus. Today, it brought me some comfort and even made me smile.
Paddy
April 8, 2020 @ 5:31 am
So sad. Well written. The great irony in all this is the article you wrote prior to this. About Kane and FGL. They and others like them are probably wondering what all the fuss is about. And God help us all artists like Blake will be churning out their tributes to John. All of them put together could never write one line of a song that could compare to those of John Prine. RIP John Prine. Thanks for everything you left us with.
DJ
April 8, 2020 @ 5:31 am
Trigger, again I say, you do the best obituary columns of any writer.
Normal Street
April 8, 2020 @ 6:06 am
John Prine is gone, but his music isn’t. He was a supremely talented individual who has left behind a musical legacy that will be continue to be enjoyed by many people for many years to come. As well as his own musical legacy, he will have inspired countless other artists.
I was fortunate enough to be raised on music which included that of John Prine. He will be greatly missed, but the article is spot on that we were lucky to have him in the world. He gave the world great music and memories. Thank you Mr John Prine.
Farina
April 8, 2020 @ 6:18 am
Heard the news just before I went to bed. Tossed and turned all night with sadness. I think that I hoping for the Hollywood ending. Not that he would even want that. Thanks, John! We love you.
KarenInPittsburgh
April 8, 2020 @ 6:43 am
His music always helped me to find perspective when I was most in danger of losing it. He was, in short, really important to me and , of course, to many others. He loved country music, but he was always in his own genre, living and writing as he said from ” deep down inside my head/where long ago i made my bed” and yet somehow managing to find those places where we all intersect.
Rick Scherer
April 8, 2020 @ 7:05 am
He was, as for many, my biggest influence and I love covering his songs to share with the many that did not know of this incredible artist. Your article is spectacular, thank you!
wayne
April 8, 2020 @ 7:22 am
When you listen to “Angel from Montgomery” you FEEL something. That is how it should be.
Jack Williams
April 8, 2020 @ 7:36 am
Or Hello in There. The man had an incredible amount of empathy.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
April 8, 2020 @ 7:34 am
Great tribute…..one that John would have surely enjoyed. Best songwriter of all time, in my book. It’s impossible to put into words how much his storytelling ability influenced other writers. At the end of the day, the most powerful aspect of a song is it’s ability to tell a story that people from all walks of life can relate to, and his ability to wrap that into social commentary in an artful way was what really put him over the top. Not to mention his humor and ability to not take himself or the world too seriously. All things that many writers of today who are considered best of the best could still stand to learn from…and hopefully that will continue to happen.
JPK
April 8, 2020 @ 9:25 am
Probably the funniest and most humane songwriter there is. Really sad news.
Kevin Smith
April 8, 2020 @ 12:59 pm
Gotta give a shout out to Grandpa Was A Carpenter, one of my favorites by Mr. Prine. And I know its cliche to mention, but Paradise is a GREAT song. The Dwight Yoakam cover is pretty great too. What a talent!
JPK
April 8, 2020 @ 1:27 pm
When I die let my ashes float down the Green River
Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam
I’ll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin’
Just five miles away from wherever I am.
Gotta be one of the most beautiful lyrics ever.
Andrew Moorhouse
April 8, 2020 @ 9:37 am
Thanks for writing this wonderful tribute to John. My only quibble would be with you saying ‘while the rest of the world trod by unbeknown’. I’m from the UK and I know John had many fans here. He is also very popular in Ireland and personally I would say that John had a bit of ‘Irish’ in him and I say that in a wholly positive way.
hoptowntiger94
April 8, 2020 @ 9:54 am
Getting angrier. As the body count climbs, I hope everyone remembers this President was shaking hands at a press conference and thumbing his nose at the medical experts on March 13th.
Justin
April 8, 2020 @ 1:35 pm
The only thing that would really make Americans angry is if we were 48 hours from running out of food nationwide. We’re a very passive and easy to please population.
Brian B
April 11, 2020 @ 9:13 pm
This is destined to be the most turbulent decade since at least the 1960s, when there was certainly more than enough anger to go around.
Jimmy
April 10, 2020 @ 2:43 pm
TDS sufferer alert.
JF
April 8, 2020 @ 10:13 am
Wouldn’t it be nice if a John Prine tribute thread got more comments than one on Jason Isbell’s politics?
On that note, listening to “When I Get to Heaven” a lot today. I can only imagine how that played out yesterday in real-time. Hope he is enjoying that vodka and ginger ale and 9-mile-long cigarette with family, just another “dead peckerhead”.
Arlene
April 8, 2020 @ 10:17 am
People often write about Americana music being so hard to define, and wankers endlessly drone on about missing “real” country music. I’ve never been able to adequately define either as a genre, but it seems to me that whatever “country” music is, it should include John Prine’s catalog. Nonetheless, one virtually never hears Prine described as a great writer of “country” music.
Does anyone else think he has any shot of being elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame, as a songwriter, if not as a performer? (Maybe not until after folks like Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell get in, but someday?)
Trigger
April 8, 2020 @ 10:57 am
I definitely consider John Prine as part of the country music family. Consider him a folk/Americana performer if you want, but he’s definitely a country songwriter. When George Strait has charted a #1 song with one of your compositions, and Whitey Morgan opens up every one of his concerts with one of your songs, you’re country. I have no problem planting the country music flag on Prine, and bowing up to anyone who would complain.
I definitely think Prine should be considered for the Country Music Hall of Fame. If he was considered for the Rock Hall, why wouldn’t he be considered for country? Every three years they induct a songwriter specifically, and though these slots usually go to the usual suspects, Prine (and Guy and Townes) would be perfect candidates in my opinion.
Brian B
April 11, 2020 @ 9:19 pm
I believe that the Americana genre was created to recognize artists such as Prine and Lucinda Williams who were both pretty much ignored by mainstream radio as being too country for rock and too rock for country. They could be considered the king and queen of the genre. In fact they once shared a bill in Chicago many years ago. But the two are opposite in one way, and that is that a Prine became more country in the latter years of his career, while Ms. Williams was more so in the early part of hers.
Killen Thyme
April 8, 2020 @ 11:24 am
“Well Done, Hot Dog Bun, My Sisters a Nun” That line right there changed everything I thought music was about. My favorite songwriter and such an incredible human being. No mourning John, only continue enjoying the memories and songs you blessed us with.
Throwback Country
April 11, 2020 @ 3:09 pm
Look at how many outstanding country singer/songwriters from today paid tribute to Prine after his death. Sturgill. Randy Rogers. Wade Bowen. Eric Church. The list goes on. That’s all you need to know about where he fit in the country music landscape.
Di Harris
April 8, 2020 @ 12:38 pm
With you in Spirit Mrs. Prine.
Sincerely sorry that John has left you.
Hold all the wonderul times close to your heart
Scott Gribble
April 8, 2020 @ 1:59 pm
I broke down when I got the news yesterday. Thought I was composed this morning until I read this article which started me snivelling like a little kid with a skinned knee. I’ve seen John live maybe 10 times, usually front and center. Almost 50 years of having his music course through my Life. The spring may have stopped flowing, but the well you filled will never be empty.
JEFF VACLAVIK
April 8, 2020 @ 3:49 pm
John Prine was nothing short of a modern-day Mark Twain.
Jerseyboy
April 8, 2020 @ 6:09 pm
Sad news indeed, I was fortunate to meet John years ago along with his brother at the hotel bar during the Jimmy Rodgers tribute show at the R&R Hall of Fame about 20 years, he was the most humble and nice person, I was just glad to tell him how much I appreciated his music, I’ll never forget it.
Condolences to Fiona and family!
Doug
April 8, 2020 @ 6:24 pm
Took the family years ago to the Central City Everly Brothers Labor Day festival. Drove about 500 miles one way. Think we went twice….Bo Diddly, Tammy Wynette, Phil and Don. But we went to see John. Beforehand we drove around Muhlenburg County. There was still a Paradise road sign pointing down a secondary road. We found the Paradise site and (I am not making this up) saw Mr. Peabody’s coal train.
John was the best. This is crushing. I kept checking the news on Google with my heart pounding. I felt terrible when Guy Clark died but this is a knock down punch to the gut.
King Honky Of Crackershire
April 8, 2020 @ 6:47 pm
I never got into Prine. I just don’t branch out much from C(c)ountry music. Sounds like he was a good writer from what everybody is saying though. I’m sorry for all you all who loved his music.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
April 8, 2020 @ 8:17 pm
Well, in these unpredictable and trying times, at least we know there is at least one thing we can always count on!
stogie5150
April 9, 2020 @ 10:58 am
I am almost 50 years old. I grew up in a house that there was only two kinds of Music; Country and Western. Boots Randolph, Waylon, Willie, Conway, Reed, Williams. Since becoming an adult I widened my scope somewhat to metal, thrash, bluegrass, Brubeck Jazz, Sinatra standards. I never knew ( and still don’t) who John Prine WAS, much less what an impact he had on so many people. Now I have to find out, dammit, what I missed. RIP John Prine
Ray
April 8, 2020 @ 8:36 pm
He could string words together like no other singer-songwriter. He could bring tears to your eyes, or he could string words together in a song that would make you wet your pants. He was the best….RIP John ✌️
Rick the Observer
April 9, 2020 @ 6:31 am
It’s one thing to lose Bill Withers to natural causes – that is, his life had run its’ natural course, but the fact that John Prine, Adam Schlesinger, and Jim Diffie were all victims of the coronavirus leaves me bitter; I think of how much more music they had in them, and how much of that has been taken from us. When the smoke clears and the dust settles after this long nightmare, I hope there will at least be some redeeming lesson for humanity.
olds
April 9, 2020 @ 10:13 am
Ive loved Johns music for many years.. ..one of those writers who’s songs get better with repeated listens. Songs I’d heard over and over would suddenly break through with my own maturing/ adjusted stations in life…Souvenirs being one…after my grandfather died, that song suddenly hit me hard. It was good before, but it became a sort of scripture later…
I remember the first time I played John for my dad…we were drinking beer, packing his pickup truck at night with fishing gear for a 3am fishing excursion the next morning…I told my dad to put the CD on in his truck and put Long Monday on. My dad got still while we stood there in the dark by the truck…the whole neighborhood seemed quiet. Although my dad couldnt see me, I was standing there crying, trying to hide it with long slugs of beer.
I couldnt explain why…I guess it was just a moment where I felt this guys music reaching out around us. It was a connection between my dad and me, facilitated by this amazing writer.. great article Trig.
Jerseyboy
April 9, 2020 @ 4:16 pm
Tomorrow I’m going to put some sausages on the grill and they will be Sizzzzlin! and then we may have to take a drive down by Lake Marie! Oh, I miss John so much already!
Luckyoldsun
April 9, 2020 @ 8:50 pm
Long obit in the NYT on John Prine. The writer credits Kristofferson with playing a big role in discovering Prine and getting him his first big break. I had not heard that.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/arts/music/john-prine-dead-coronavirus.html
pasdnous
April 10, 2020 @ 5:14 pm
A remembrance worthy of the man.
Scott jewson
April 12, 2020 @ 9:36 am
TANKS JOHN !!!!!!!!!!
Cindy Smith
April 12, 2020 @ 3:13 pm
Thank-you, John Prine. Your music got me through many rough spots. I know most of your music by heart. You made us laugh and made us cry. But mostly, you brought us together through your songs about the human condition. I am so glad you decided to do “The Tree of Forgiveness after too many years of waiting. You will be remembered forever in our hearts.❤️
John Acquino
January 2, 2021 @ 5:55 pm
Northern liberal been into Prine forever. I cried. I’m 70. He wrote the truest songs. My brother .