First time hearing JOHN PRINE

[@DaveWildheart]

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the amazing comments. I cannot reply to them all but I read every one of them. Cheers for the good vibes 😁🤘✌️

[@TonyTheBassPlayer1]

As an American in my particular age group, it doesn't give me goosebumps. I can't make it past the fourth line before the tears start. What they did to those poor boys while they were there and then how they abandoned them when they came home was shameless. The V.A. sucks.

[@anthonyburchett9860]

7:28 In an interview with Jonny Cash, Cash called John Prine one of the greatest writers of all time.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Prine two speeds: quick witted and funny and incredibly sad or deep. Sometimes both in one song

[@kweile4339]

Well said

[@edwardhubschman3610]

@@kweile4339 For real....

[@natet5959]

Exactly. One of the best songwriters. Period. Full stop.

[@tiderover6574]

Sometimes in the same line.

[@michaelwalker5257]

Try "Hello In There"; 'In Spite of Ourselves"; "Angel From Montgomery"; "Jesus: The Missing Years". Tremendous man, glad you got it about him.

[@darthv1001]

Also Summers end, Souvenirs, Lake Marie, I remember everything. He was a genius.

[@bretthardin9239]

`illegal smile

[@JeffChr]

In Spite of Ourselves with Iris Dement is pretty special. RIP John Prine.

[@Pokenoz940]

​@@bretthardin9239should have dear Abbey along with that one.

[@rittherugger160]

Your Flag Decal Don't get You into Heaven Anymore

[@petemarsh3446]

50 years later this song still hits me in the feels.

[@kevinmauch5622]

The well of John Prine music is deep and quenches the thirsty soul. Drink up!

[@Zixik_]

So right!!

[@missmabelbasset4077]

No one I know of can make a grown man cry like John Prine.

[@leegriffin7651]

It's great for someone else to hear Prine for the first time and feel what I felt over 50 years ago. I had a friend in 1971 who was programming manager at a local pop/rock radio station. They had received a copy of this first album and brought it to me saying there's no way he could play it on air. My first listen made me a John Prine fan. My second listen (right after the first) made me believe he was one of the greatest song writers I'd ever heard. I continued to listen to the album over the next few days and found more and more each time. John Prine is truly a national treasure and one of the greatest song writers of the last 53 years. I'd rate his first album as his best and the last as next, but everything in between as great. He had such a way of saying things that I've never experienced with other song writers. They're all so simple yet so deep, When he died in 2020 of covid I was heartbroken. I felt as if he was my best friend that I'd never met in person. The first time I heard him live was in Austin, TX a few months after his initial album was released and it only threw more gasoline on the fire that had developed from listening to his album. I could barely wait for the second, third, fourth...... Each being a new surprise. Continue exploring his albums and you'll never be disappointed. Even go to the point of listening to the last sone he wrote and was never released called 'I Remember Everything'. How fitting a song like this would be remembered after his death. And when you're through going down the rabbit hole of John Prine look into Steve Goodman. They were best of friends for many years. Goodman died in 1984 and was the was the first musical artist I was truly sorry about not being with us any more. I felt the same way, maybe even more about John Prine. Thank you go my good friend who could not possibly play this music on the radio station where he worked. It changed my life.

[@Dr_Bombay]

John Prine was a legend in his own lifetime, and everything you ever heard about him is well deserved. the more you listen to him, the more you love him.

[@jbeau9054]

if you don't, you're not listening closely enough

[@myownchannel247]

John Prine could literally make you cry and make you laugh so hard you could cry 😅 Pure Americana. I highly recommend his song Hello In There

[@BrockHagen]

Had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Prine play several times. He was Americana.

[@bezerker99]

We lost Prine to covid. He was a truly remarkable story teller with his voice and guitar. I have at least one Prine cover on my channel from a long time ago.

[@richardk.46]

Illegal Smile. one of the greatest country songs ever,

[@notabritperse]

"There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes." It's the most efficient sad lyric I've ever heard. In one short line, we learn Sam's an addict, his habit is taking money from his family, and his kids know.

[@cook4470]

"...and Jesus Christ died for nothin', I suppose."

[@emmynelson3943]

And the kids ran around in other people's clothes. Creates a picture and we know what that means. God bless you John. Been listening since 1971 when your first record came out.

[@choccolocco]

As someone who grew up in a time when all the dads and uncles were Vietnam veterans, this was not uncommon at all, actually the majority. The saving grace was being in Alabama, where at the time, heroin was unavailable. Valium, alcohol, pills, and pot were their go to. I remember seeing one of the nicest ppl I know one weekend without his valium….he was another person completely, it was even scary. And then there’s my friend, who with his brothers and sisters was half Vietnamese, and their dad was a heavy alcoholic veteran. He would black out and lose his mind on his children, because they were Vietnamese, and he had flash backs. Threw one through a glass door, woke my friend up beating him with a cane, etc. That war did more damage here in the US than many will ever know.

[@frankmaxwell5193]

" hit by a man in a light blue sedan, who'd obviously been to a bar" a whole story in one line ❤ glad I got to see him a few times. Lastly, in Glasgow, Scotland 2018, in the rain. Great memories. His guitar picking blows me away.

[@firemanp]

Take your pick! All of his music is awesome. I particularly relate to "Other Side of Town". 😊

[@TheOldDirtyBachelor]

Thank you, JP was my brother-in-law for 8 years. Such a lyrical genius, and such a good man.

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

Try “Hello in there” for another tear-jerker, or Illegal smile or In spite of ourselves for some humor.

[@jufulu7066]

Flag decal

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

Or the great compromise

[@dianer.9203]

One of my favorites. John Prine was incredible.

[@jaredwblack]

One of my fav's is "Your Flag Decals Won't Get You into Heaven Anymore." Another good one is "Paradise" -- about a rural community in Kentucky that was destroyed by the coal industry

[@rbbsch1]

My dad bought John Prine’s 1st album when it came out in 1971. I was 2. His music has been in my life ever since. RIP 🙏🏻❤

[@brianbennett6827]

My wife loves the "happy enchilada" song.. thats the way the world goes round.

[@Langustaaa]

😂 I heard that too! Eventually I had the realization that it's "half an inch of water" lol

[@MattKrogmeier]

“Souvenirs” is a phenomenal song, especially the duet with Steve Goodman.

[@bigdogpete43]

Grandpa was a Carpenter. So was mine. It hits me every time.

[@KB-xt1gj]

Top 5 Prine song for sure.

[@kweile4339]

Try When I Get to Heaven. Prine was gifted to me by my older sister when i was 9. He has been a lifelong mentor. Whatever i need i can find in his music. Saw him once in concert. I loved your intro and reaction. Subscribed and looking forward to your John Prine journey. 😊

[@heinz812]

John could cut your heart in two while putting a smile on your face.

[@natet5959]

This song gets me every time. I avoid it, because I don't feel like crying. I would listen to everything in his catalogue. Lyrically he was a master.

[@5after4am]

He worded it 'conflict overseas' so any veteran of any war could relate .

[@Blue-qr7qe]

Actually, though 58,000 Americans were killed in Vietnam, and although our involvement lasted over twenty years, our government never had the balls to call it what it was: war. Congress never declared war with Vietnam. They preferred to have our compliant media refer to it as "the conflict overseas" That meant the Vietnam War.

[@dominicpardo4783]

John Prine was a poet and a troubadour who never wrote a bad song.

[@DanArsenault-h5s]

I've seen John about 20 times love the man he even signed my guitar one night in toronto

[@denp54z]

Paradise is my favorite.

[@prdyer2763]

I wanted to recommend the Angel from Montgomery duet with John Prine and Bonnie Raitt, and copied this blurg: "Angel From Montgomery” was written by John Prine (the “Mark Twain of American songwriting”) and was originally released to critical acclaim by Atlantic Records in 1971 as part of his self-titled debut album, John Prine." I didnt know he had this moniker, but it tracks!

[@IReilly1]

Album-wise, start with his first/self titled. As for Sam Stone, I do believe that Prine made a conscious decision not to name the war (though it was Vietnam when he wrote the song) so that the message would continue to resonate with every successive war.

[@rickcrace9263]

I've loved John Prine since first hearing his first album in 1973. I was privileged to work a concert as the house sound engineer when he played in Ashland. Ky in the 90s. He was super nice. John Prine wasn't just a super songwriter/performer, he was an outstanding, compassionate, down-to-Earth human being! All of his songs are great. Sam Stone, Hello in There and In Spite of Ourselves are my personal favorites. RIP John Prine. You are sadly missed by many.

[@ernieallison3141]

If you want some of his humorous side, I would recommend " Dear Abby" live or "Please Don't Bury Me". But you can't go wrong with the deeply emotional stuff either like "Hello In There". As everyone has said about "Sam Stone", that one lyric to start the chorus hits like a hammer to the heart. "There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes". For every Prine fan, they remember the first time they heard that lyric and felt the gut punch.

[@rubykrebs9550]

He is my favorite singer/ song writer. Hello in There is my favorite song.

[@MrWhit30]

Prine wrote many great songs over a full lifetime. But if he never recorded another album after the first one he would still be remembered as a great artist. Illegal Smile, Hello in There, Paradise, Flag Decal, Angel From Montgomery, Donald & Lydia, Spanish Pipedream. Id start there. The self-titled album with him sitting on the hay bales.

[@mapegatkinson92]

I love his music. I play his Christmas album all season long. Fun, sad, sweet.

[@toddcagle4245]

Speed of the Sound of Loneliness Really all of his albums are awesome

[@enchantedwooddesigns3462]

The man wrote a ton of songs that he did or other artists did. They are emotional or humorous for sure. He did small jokes or stories between songs at his shows. They would be repeated again the next time I got to see him but were always creating that good feeling. I saw him any time I could that he was any where I could travel to the show.

[@chrisshannon4543]

I really liked your reaction to John Prine. His very first album has a lot of great songs that remained standards throughout his career. In addition to Sam Stone, it has Hello In There, Paradise, Angel From Montgomery, Spanish Pipedream, Donald & Lydia, and Illegal Smile. Great Days is a wonderful anthology double album with about 40 songs!!

[@MaxWray111]

He wrote this in the late 1960's, the height of the Vietnam War, while working as a mailman in Chicago. He was discovered by Kris Kristofferson. The last time I saw him was at the House of Blues in New Orleans in 1999 with Iris Dement. For a humorous song, check out their duet of "In Spite of Ourselves."

[@zenhaelcero8481]

Prine's first album is excellent from front to back. Nothing on that record worth skipping over. Honestly, that describes his whole songbook. Everything he did through his career was just so inimitably his own. Whether you want to talk about Robert Plant, Roger Waters, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, or a whole host of others, they all admired Prine. Some picks off the top of my head: Long Monday, The Late John Garfield Blues, Bruised Orange, Lake Marie, Far From Me.

[@BOOMNERD51]

Enjoy the journey! You obviously appreciate the power of John Prine's powerful songs! ❤

[@timsterz1]

I've peen listening to and playing John's songs since another guitar player played "Angel from Montgomery" for me back in the 70's. I met John backstage at one of his shows and he treated me like we'd been friends for years. John has a host of albums you can check out and II you'll not be disappointed with any of them. Good luck on your journey. Check out Steve Goodman also. He was a good friend of John's and has some classic songs.

[@cook4470]

John Prine was not only a very unique lyricist and composer, but he was a genuinely nice, sweet, and humble human being.

[@bobmephitis8206]

Not only was John Prine one of the best singer/songwriters ever, but I have also heard many interviews with other artists and people in the industry who universally claim that he was one of the most generous and kind people they had ever met. Truly a special man.

[@stephensegrest2292]

I agree with the first couple dozen comments, but I had to scroll way too far to see “Paradise” added to the list. “Sam Stone” was my first introduction, on the radio, driving home late at night, had to pull over when the lyrics hit me.

[@guitar_player_bernie]

I would mine his songs. He is a prolific writer. Just a great singer songwriter. I recommend Angel From Montgomery, Illegal Smile, Paradise, Hello In There, Souvenirs

[@shawnsullivan9547]

Spanish Pipe Dream will lift up the spirits for you 😊. John Prine was always on my radar since the mid-70's when I was a pre teen however in the mid-80s I had a manager at an oyster bar that I worked at who was a Vietnam Veteran that turned me on to the lyrics of Sam Stone and it definitely opened up the empty space in between the ol ears. Thank you Lou Remy 🤙🏽

[@aeskes1978]

My suggestion…start with early Prine, as you have, and take the progression from early to later. Fun ride…enjoy. I was probably about 16 when this came out.

[@AuthorLaurieAnnSmith]

I love John Prine! Thank you!!

[@laynestj]

For a fine example of his wit, try "In Spite of Ourselves" with Iris Dement.

[@jeffstorey9147]

You've got lots of great recs here, but "Flag Decal" is another song of its time...that's somehow absolutely timeless.

[@jonsher7682]

"Hello in There" and "Angel From Montgomery" for John's capacity for empathy, writing songs that place him in the haunted hearts of others. "Please Don't Bury Me" and "“Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawaiian” for his wonderful sense of humor. "Unwed Mothers" for his take on how society blames young women while their lovers run free.

[@AP-gb3eh]

Breaks my heart every time. For a fun one try In Spite of Ourselves

[@Jim-zv1rh]

I was at Valley Forge Hospital recovering from being shot down. I was a mess at first but began to slowly recover. One night some friends from the barracks showed up, loaded me into a car, and took me to hear John Prine for the first time. I was hooked. My life literally changed that night. I was introduced to a new genre of music that night and have been a folk/bluegrass/Americana/Piedmont Blues/whatever you want to call it, fan since. If you go on the internet and lookup "The Main Point" in Bryn Mawr, Pa. you can find a list of the entertainers they had appearing there. It is a good starting point to look for and listen to some really great singer/songwriters from the 1970s. People like Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, Eric Anderson were just getting started and played there.

[@hyperinactive8294]

If you want a recommendation or three, I'd suggest "Dear Abby", "Hello In There' and "Saddle in the Rain". These are a few of my favourites by John Prine.

[@mobsquad8500]

I love you only stopped it a couple times!!! Awesome! Good reaction!

[@elizabethring976]

Unwed Mothers is s great one. Saw him in person many times. Paradise is another favorite. On my 72nd birthday lines from Angel From Montgomery kept running through my mind (“I am an old woman…”), and I was amazed that he wrote songs about old folks when he was a young man. He teamed up with Steve Goodman for some great duets.

[@steveberlin9071]

Unwed fathers

[@lawrencepowers1579]

You should check out Townes Van Zant, Guy Clark & Steve Goodman .That should get you deep into the rabbit hole.

[@dianer.9203]

John Prince fan since the 1970’s. Many of his masterpieces bring me to tears. He was a special soul.

[@paulanderson9650]

I'm so happy someone got to hear John for the first time!

[@daledubose3032]

Legend

[@had64198]

I was fortunate to see him live in Toronto in the 80s. What a great talent. RIP.

[@babzcovington492]

"if you see me tonight with an illegal smile, it dont costs very much but it lasts a long while, won't you please tell the man i didn't kill anyone? i was just trying to have me some fun..."

[@supasoulproductions]

Cash actually covered this song, but he had to change the Jesus Christ died for nothing line. He said he understood what the line was saying, but he just couldn't sing those words. For me "There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes." might be the most gut punching lyric ever written.

[@thundernels]

What was the alternative line?

[@supasoulproductions]

@@thundernels 'Daddy must have hurt a lot back then, I suppose'

[@thundernels]

@@supasoulproductions Yikes. Shoulda spent more than five minutes coming up with a line.

[@supasoulproductions]

@@thundernels It does take a lot of the emotional intensity out of the lyric. But you can't come up with a line that hits any harder than Jesus died for nothing. The fact that Cash couldn't sing it just proves it was the right line to start with.

[@ronbock8291]

Prine is like one of those Kung Fu masters who can slide their hand directly into your chest and pull your heart out.

[@MerryWolf-j9g]

I'm sure you've gotten lots of great suggestions. Everything he's done has been great, some things incredible. I've loved his music since I first heard it in 1975.

[@willowvons]

Got to see him live in my little town a few years ago. Felt like an old friend dropping by to jam a bit.

[@PHKGZS12]

Honestly, you can't go wrong no matter where you start with Prine's work. I, personally, consider him on my Mt. Rushmore of country/folk songwriters - along with Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley and Glenn Campbell. Great video!

[@yellowcat1310]

Townes and Blaze. didn't John Prine do a Blaze Foley song. yeah, i can't remember the name. something about getting on a bus and sitting down next to the lady with a couple kids. telling his tales. great song

[@PHKGZS12]

@@yellowcat1310 "Clay Pigeons"

[@yellowcat1310]

@@PHKGZS12 that's the one. good song

[@yellowcat1310]

@@PHKGZS12 i'm going to go listen to it right now. thanks

[@robertkramer41]

John was in NY spring 2020, no place to be at that time, Caught the Rona. Huge loss.

[@ChrisLawton66]

Just stumbled across your channel. I like your vibe. Liked. Subscribed.

[@rbbsch1]

Fair & Square is an album he made after his voice got deeper after throat surgery. It’s one of my favorites.

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

John Prine is a lyrical genius. He’ll make you cry and then make you last. Suggestions? Paradise, Angel from Montgomery, My Mexican Home, Summer’s End. Actually anything of his is great.

[@G22-f4n]

Souvenirs with Steve Goodman is one of my personal favorites. I'm sure they are picking together. R.I.P.

[@lucasroth7922]

Bruised Orange!🔥🤘✌

[@geoffreybruce8371]

One of my favourites🎶🎶🎶

[@Tolemac7]

I've been a huge fan of John's since his first album came out in '71. I got to see this master of music and lyrics twice, and both times were just amazing. My favorite song of his is "Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)". He is definitely in the top ten songwriter category.

[@DickGray-v2h]

A great wordsmith!

[@michaelspurling4376]

I was fortunate to have a seat close to the stage for one of his concerts in the late 70s. It was just epic.

[@karenmandeville7116]

you should check out his song Illegal Smile!

[@MylesOdd-g1g]

he was and always be a song writer and preformer for the people of his and our and next generation

[@gtr1952]

I had to stop your video at 9:00. I'm 72, and I've been gigging for over 50 years. John Prine is one of the most talented and prolific song writers I know. When I'm solo, I always get 2-3 Prine songs in during the night. John was a victim of the Covid virus. He also battled cancer for years. Right up to the end he was still playing gigs! He also still had his record company. I highly suggest spending a long time here on KZbin to catch up with him. You may need a shirt with sleeves, you will get the chills a lot, you will also laugh a lot, and sometimes just smile at his stories. You won't be sorry. 8) Peace --gary

[@gregangus9961]

Depending on your mood and state of mind, the same John Pine might make you roll laughing on the floor, sob uncontrollably, or both. Simple and brilliant.

[@wingandhog]

Sometimes it’s nice to just kick back alone, glass of whiskey in hand, sitting by a fireplace and listening to Prine when you want to just chill

[@brettjunge5545]

This song is deep. Children witness addiction Little pictures(children) have big ears Don't stop to count the years Sweet songs don't last to long on broken radios

[@figsta4202]

Well, Brother). Have fun. John Prine is going to continue to rock your world for your lifetime. Sweet beautiful stupid easy. That’s what makes him great so simplistic. But yet in your face and better than you can do. Or say. Enjoy.

[@1HFMudd]

Google John Prine Shrine , has all his songs, lyrics and chords, gold mine of John Prine stuff.

[@johncurran6031]

I've been a fan of John Prine's since his first album came out when I was in college in the 60's. I saw him perform at Dennison University, IIRC, in the winter of 1972. It was John and his guitar in the chapel at the college. I saw him many times over the years and he was always worth seeing in person. BTW, Bob Dylan called John Prine the American Proust in an interview some time back. I love that remark.

[@glennburch1081]

The best satirical artist there ever was. A NATIONAL TREASURE! Sadly, we lost him in 2020. He had more records than grains of sand on the beach. Bob Dylan said “JP’s stuff was Midwestern mind-trips to the nth degree”. He has a song called Baby Ruth from his Bruised Orange record which happens to be my wife’s name and we loved that song so much we had a cover of it played at our wedding in 1985! A few suggestions: Illegal Smile, When I Get To Heaven, Dear Abby, Fish and Whistle, Angel From Montgomery, and In Spite of Ourselves plus many, many more. We got to see JP, just b4 he passed, at the Sandler Ctr in Virginia Beach, VA in 2019 and it was an amazing show. RIP John Prine. A great hole to jump into.

[@elliotthyde5623]

Great song writing.

[@rollingvee]

This is what I feel when I listen to John Prine and a song like this; for many years and many listenings now: that there will never be another John Prine. This was his first song, and as he began to play live he quickly wrote three or four more songs that have become classics as well. Angel from Montgomery is another fav of mine. Jesus, the Missing Years is one of his more absurd and funny numbers. Check it out, especially the live version.

[@TomGraves1966]

I would add spanish pipdream to the list of fun lighthearted songs

[@mickeyneal6374]

Hello in There and Some Humans Ain’t Human are must listens.

[@kareyherring3150]

Listen to souvenirs one of his best. Big old goofy world and in spite of ourselves, but honestly all his music is great

[@LPS-mh8kx]

Prine spoke and wrote so many truths about life in general. I could listen to him for hours.

[@JohnPilon082149051552]

John Prine’s ‘New Train’, ‘Lake Marie’ and ‘In Spite of Ourselves’ (with Iris Dement) are classics that can be heard after ‘Angel from Montgomery’!

[@mbsnyderc]

John Prine is a deep subject.

[@hlawrencepowell]

Vietnam. You really need to go down this rabbit hole. It will change your life.

[@jamesdamiano8894]

Gif he has so many great songs. Common Sense, Blue Umbrella, Linda Goes To Mars, The Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness, Picture Show.

[@PaulHolleran-iy5uw]

I watched an interview once and he said that when he was first starting out, playing in small clubs, he didn't think people would want to hear the same old songs every night so he would write new songs constantly, sometimes on the way to the gig. When Kris Kristofferson discovered him and gave him his break, he said (in jest) that he was such a good songwriter he might have to break his fingers. Prolific, yet able to write such amazing lyrics. I've been listening to him since the early 80s and every time I hear "there's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes" I still get goosebumps. I hope you have lots of time to listen to his music, because it's a journey. He is right up there with Dylan and Kristofferson as one of the greatest songwriters of our generation.

[@nosparex]

"Hello in There"

[@elizabethring976]

For a humorous one, listen to “Please don’t bury me…”.

[@jostauffer6637]

I heard an explanation that he wrote that one to promote organ donation. Love it! Makes me giggle every time I hear it.