John Prine Performs “Illegal Smile” In 1972 Underground News Broadcast

[@jeremyreagan9085]

I am a songwriter and John was as good as you will ever hear. God how I love that men and his songs. Keep his songs alive folks sing them to yourself.

[@mikestackhousemusic]

Loved John and do a bunch of his songs along with Guy Clark songs. It's odd to me, that Guy didn't have the notoriety that John had.

[@jeremyreagan9085]

@@mikestackhousemusic Well I am not shocked john pretty humble about fame. I am an a fiddler and let me say no joke I was playing at a bar in Houston and the fellow hosting said he had never heard a live fiddler before. Honestly though the whole stardom thing means nothing to me as a musician. My grandfather lived all his life in Monahans Texas and just sang us folk songs he learned and he never cared about fame. Us old timers well just keep fiddling !

[@mikestackhousemusic]

@@jeremyreagan9085 true that. It is all about the song.

[@walliegirl2]

For me, John, Townes and Marty R. are the best.

[@zappadali8696]

Okay there Dylan.

[@henrypaulpierce4160]

In January of 1972 a friend and myself went to Georgetown DC to see John Prine & Bonnie Raitt at the Cellar Door on M Street for the last show of the evening I believe it was 1230 show. We were pretty blitzed when we got there but John & Bonnie had us beat..she played 1st sitting on a chair with her bassists in the background..in spite of her condition she played fantastic. Then John played next..staggered on the stage standing with a sway performed every song from his only album(1st) great..at least it sounded so...joking in between songs..then Bonnie came back out and they played together for about 30 minutes...it was a memorable performance from these 2 new artists. Everytime I hear him now it brings back so many memories and tears of being privileged to witness John and of course Bonnie in their initial debut...

[@pennybailey6359]

❤

[@pattiaustin1808]

How happy it makes me to view JohnPrine, young and happy and giving us grins about our illegal smiles.

[@supremepartydude]

As a college student in the 70s I got turned onto John and his great album Common Sense. We love you John and miss you much

[@bobm6894]

I've seen John in concert quite a few times. Every time he has said an illegal smile is when you are smiling for no apparent reason and other people think you must be up to no good.

[@garyschneider8829]

John Prine was just so Amazing singer-songwriter poetry- man , with such humor and wit..unfortunitly I never saw him live.. But many times on ACL

[@yungghost5889]

I thought it was about smoking weed lol either interpretation works this song is beautiful

[@bobm6894]

@OtisGolightly Judge Hoffman is Judge Julius Hoffman who presided over the Chicago 7 trial.

[@ly________]

when you're smiling for no apparent reason you usually are up to no good lol - his chuckle at the beginning gives him away in this one for me ; )

[@trex2092]

I have not sang along with John on this song since 1975 and here it is 2022 and I still know all the words and changes in pitch perfectly, kinda tells you how many times a sang this song as a teenager. RIP John.

[@superfudge73]

I always assumed it was LSD. “It don’t cost very much but it lasts a long while”

[@gregweiss4465]

Your not alone. I still believe it is

[@captsorghum]

Same. $2 for an 8-hour grin.

[@BlackjackHookers-nj7qj]

Lmao I always thought it was lsd as well a few dollars for a 12 hour smile.

[@jmccoy96jm]

You assumed correctly. The judges name was hoffman.

[@mikeweir3680]

I miss John tonight...He had a sense about him that just made everything and everybody around him just right, for now...lol Thanks John

[@missgoldie6257]

Indeed....heavy sigh. I so wish he were still here.

[@REMaks-mm2cn]

What would you want him to say?

[@rosemaryholland6595]

RIP You will never be forgotten & your songs are timeless. God Bless 🙏💔🙏

[@hickster9829]

Dylan, Prine, Newbury thats my big 3. Men, their lyrics and their guitar. Simple yet powerful!

[@rileyhuffman3315]

Thank you for posting the early footage of John Prine, brings me back to a lot of good memories.

[@recentiy03]

That man is one of a kind

[@danfish4life249]

When I get to heaven I'm going to listen to John's heavenly band. He's playing up there now.

[@jamiehalifax4954]

And hes smoking a cigarette that's nine miles long....

[@willowloe6917]

God these old videos of him bring me to tears. My grandfather and father made sure I listened to him and now I’m waking up at 8 am and thinking about him. Had to listen to this one and saw your video. Thanks for sharing

[@TheMobile1972]

I met him when I was in uniform (101st Airborne) at the airport in Mobile, Al in 1972. He totally respected me. If I didn't have a commitment to the US ARMY I would have dropped everything and followed him.

[@johndavid8815]

Screaming Eagles

[@maxpower6765]

I will always remember him like this Thanks 🤙🏼

[@johnmorelli6315]

The fact that the "judge's name was Hoffman" is a direct reference to Dr. Albert Hoffman, the person to rediscover LSD. R.I.P Uncle John.

[@charleskinsley7527]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Hoffman

[@jmccoy96jm]

@@charleskinsley7527 the entire song references lsd. Has pot ever made anyone lose a staring contest with oatmeal? think the police heard their thoughts? is pot the cheapest and does it last the longest? ever had ears in the walls after pot?

[@dianethornton192]

@@charleskinsley7527Correct. Judge Hoffman was the judge who presided over the Chicago 7 trial. Meaning if you get this guy, you’re fucked.

[@christinepark1398]

It was Abbie Hoffman who went to court and found that his judge was Judge Hoffman.

[@Hollywoodhat]

Hot dog bun that's such a sweet clip. You've got gold there.

[@kanekochera57]

I've enjoyed many illegal smiles to John prine

[@lauraeubanks7219]

Thank you 1 of my favorites

[@gmanette188]

Thank you so much

[@brentwwatsonjr5975]

Thank you for posting this!

[@tomscotland]

Love the change from 4/4 n the verses to 3/4 in the chorus. John was a genius.

[@bigbeefscorcho]

I knew there was a shift but I never put together that’s what was happening til reading this, wow

[@jamescogley1637]

God bless and thanks

[@mrchildgrownold3852]

This song was my introduction to John, I was hooked ❤️ the 70's if you didn't live it you probably won't understand ✌️

[@tessaweston1810]

Born in 83 grew up with John Prine…. ❤❤❤❤

[@charlieflagg]

Was in my 20s in the 70s and totally inspired by John Prine's music. Now it's the 20s and I'm in my 70s and still moved by his style and eloquence..

[@alanmalcheski8882]

You're that guy, aren't you? You're really him. Awesome!

[@Timber81]

How can this not be about Plant Medicine? If not then it should be. He was prophetic.

[@ladyyaga1]

If you consider ergot a plant

[@rao4sos]

Howie ..the best to you. This is the most solid gold. You should get a big raise and bonus.

[@LynnWood-r3g]

Bless your heart, and all the illegal smiles!😺🎶

[@jeffpetty8850]

He wrote that song about pot, he was pullin your leg if he said otherwise.

[@riitaalin]

Smiling Thanks

[@ramonitbelascuain8611]

I've just rediscovered John and his music. I'm totally drawn to his wisdom and wit but am shocked of his passing. RIP John.

[@yumpinyimbo6612]

10 thumbs Up. Thank you for the enjoyment. :)

[@chrisbliss7]

I love the end of that

[@terrietravis3203]

Without a mustache John look so much like Patrick Swayze!

[@Nita-mw1ov]

Dang!! He does! Never noticed that before!! Oh, Mercy me!!

[@Nita-mw1ov]

I like the mustache, tho.........!! wink wink

[@tinastanley4444]

I have an illegal smile. RIP

[@johndavid8815]

Me too, me too😂

[@Rob_K699]

Thanks brotherman for your positive energy and love.

[@christinepark1398]

so young !

[@wildebt]

Beautiful💚🙏

[@timfarrell5659]

slightly out of tune guitar... Perfect ! Thank you John

[@MuzixMaker]

The chorus was the outdo for a southern Connecticut FM station in the 70s. Funny how small things stick in your mind for a half century.

[@laurakali6522]

Stoneman on WPLR. I think. Fuzzy memories.

[@MuzixMaker]

@@laurakali6522 not ringing a bell- there was a DJ named Eddie Wazoo, which I literally just recalled.

[@laurakali6522]

@@MuzixMaker it was definitely a New Haven station. I just recall it being a sign off after a shift. Fun times either way.

[@MuzixMaker]

@@laurakali6522 agreed! I lived in the north shore of Long Island across from New Haven so CT stations were all I could receive. Which wasn’t a bad thing. Could also get the college stations like SHU which always had great eclectic selections.

[@laurakali6522]

@@MuzixMaker ok, so Eddie did the afternoon drive shift and Stoneman did the night shift. They both were DJ’s circa 75-81 or so. It’s weird cause I don’t recall Eddie but maybe because I only listened later in the night. When I drive down the parkway, I can still pick up some stations in LI. First time I heard the Scissor Sisters big hit was on one of those. Connecticut didn’t play them. Maybe it was a college station.

[@teeing9355]

I think this song is more about LSD than Pot. RIP John Prine

[@alexreinhardt28]

The line I went to court and the judge's name was Hoffmann gives it away. Albert Hoffmann first person to synthesize LSD. Definitely what the song is about

[@jamesflom5393]

Heroine, gentlemen.

[@GhandusMusic]

I feel like this song is about LSD. The judge’s name is Hoffman for God’s sake! Hahaha It don’t cost very much, but it lasts a long while.

[@alexreinhardt28]

Lol this song is obviously about LSD. He went to court and the judge's name was Hoffmann gives it away. First person to synthesize LSD

[@PasserEminibey]

with the way the world is going, the way even my home state is going, being transgender and happy about it feels like an illegal smile. i hope next year is better for all of us

[@dixondjallen6620]

We grow our own down here in the "Sunshine State"...

[@patrioticamericana3270]

Danny Richards Liquid Poetry in Springfield Illinois will be the next big name in independent Music of The Outlaw Genre

[@jeffking887]

If he wrote that song today the judge’s name would be Cannon

[@niky7348]

Bellissima! W il country

[@notpsicoh2107]

love ya john

[@robbytoney09]

its about acid. the judge's name was Hofmann lol

[@johnpearson4899]

I've loved John Prineville since the first time I heard him. The funny thing is that not only are we both named John and have the same initials but, the guy who originally turned me on to Prine also was named John and his last name began with a "P" as well.

[@scottaftem497]

Yippie leader, Abbie Hoffman came to court dressed as a judge during the trial of the Chicago 8. He also sent random New Yorkers joints in the mail for Valentine's Day.

[@geauxflyfishing]

I play all of his music on my Martin. Now I live in Colorado and when I play his music it sounds even better. 😉

[@DgurlSunshine]

RIP DR BOB MELAMEDE

[@alanclontz1783]

God bless the singing mail man

[@denniscallahan6005]

San Judas Tadeo John Prine

[@johndavid8815]

Either you never heard of him or you know everything he ever did 😂

[@RoryLynott]

Troubadour would be an understatement.

[@tomf429]

I thought, in those days, that JP was a Dylan rip-off. Over the years, I realized how wrong I was. John’s lyrics and wordplay are second to none.

[@bjorngillefalk8965]

A bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down, and won. Guess you need some help, any help.

[@thelastrebelshow1627]

Remembering those Window pane - Purple micro dot days. This is what this songs about. People are just scared to admit it because they think it’s a bad reflection on JP. All the lyrics are hallucinations . The judges name was Hoffman . Common folks.😂

[@mikegrizzle3014]

thought this song was about LSD honestly. Ears inside the walls, judges name was hoffman.... Albbert hoffman discovered LSD. And it don't cost very much but lasts a good while. good times.

[@howard5992]

Ears inside the walls just means paranoia (fear of the police, CIA, wire taps, that kind of thing) not hallucinations Hoffman was the name of the judge who tried the Chicago Seven - he was very strict and authoritarian - actually gagging some of the defendants in court the song may be about pot or LSD but it mainly about questioning the status quo

[@johnnymorys]

HOFFMAN JUDGE IN 1968 CHICAGO RIOTS.

[@howard5992]

yes - the lyric even presents his being the judge as something dreadful

[@jamesmueller8812]

U may?🕊️❤️😎

[@johndavid8815]

Hash in 2024😊

[@robertpatterson3321]

My sister went to the Franciscan convent in Sylvania Ohio but thank zeus she dropped out and became a postal worker like John Prine! Too bad she was a dud as a song writer and a performer!But as afellow human she was one of us revisited!

[@saraabellgayfield59]

An artificial plant 😄

[@chaunezkalk9822]

Such a great folk singer, writer and musician. Yep! That’s the John Prine I remember. Nevertheless, his politics wasn’t mine. Why should this matter? Doesn’t to me. Does it to you?

[@MRichK]

Hah all the comments about how the Judges name was Hoffman relates to LSD. Look up the Chicago 7 - just a couple years before this song was written.

[@Robert-kz7pu]

The song is about acid. Cannabis wont do that to you.

[@lukejohnson5475]

It’s LSD

[@valeriedougherty918]

who’s playin guitar, who’s singing backup

[@w.k.mcgaughey8810]

Understand 2024

[@KimRast]

My girlfriend in Germany whose name was Dagmar Hoffmann turned me on to strawberry acid1970 just before I went to Vietnam wahere I did orange sunshine for about 3 months while being a door

[@johnnymorys]

I think and say this is about LSD, cheap High $1.00 a Hit.

[@noneyabusiness6957]

$1 a hit?? Wow I paid 5 a hit

[@rodneyelkins2552]

$4.00 a hit when I was in high school - late 70's

[@jamiehalifax4954]

​@@noneyabusiness69575$ in canada,late 70's early 80's..

[@johndavid8815]

I’ll take twenty bucks worth 😂

[@jeffhallaran6630]

I always thought it was about acid!

[@zpridgen75]

1:06 to skip the bs

[@chaunezkalk9822]

Yeah, it seems that props have more clout than what the messages is. Yep,

[@MamaBear888]

Sing Along!

[@jamescogley1637]

WEED

[@markbradley5290]

John Prone was not treated.They let him die.They had treatments.

[@slackjawedyokel1]

agreed

[@mondop5270]

Is that a dope plant??

[@jmccoy96jm]

the song is not about cannabis. the judges name was hoffman. it lasts a long while and is cheap. ears inside the walls. police heard everything i thought. bowl of oatmeal won a staring contest. it was 12 oclock. the song is about lsd.

[@jrza8294]

As prolific as Dylan IMO

[@larryhaney6608]

LSD

[@pauledward7023]

John was screwed by critics, and idiots

[@gregtaylor8327]

Legend!

[@shawnj-o1k]

I always took it as an lsd song lol

[@hamsandwhich666]

It's about acid... "The judges name was HOFMAN!!!!!!!!!" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Hofmann

[@jamesb.canady2069]

John I first heard you on this song many years ago. I have all of your music which is a national treasure for everyone. My illegal smile is now a legal smile. Thank you