Clark was born in Monahans, Texas and eventually settled in Nashville, where he helped create the progressive country and outlaw country genres. His songs "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting for a Train" that helped launch his career were covered by numerous performers.
He was an accomplished luthier and often played his own guitars. He achieved success as a songwriter with Jerry Jeff Walker’s recordings of "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting For A Train". Artists such as Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, John Denver, Alan Jackson, Rodney Crowell, The Highwaymen, and Kenny Chesney have recorded Clark’s songs. Emmylou Harris has accompanied him on several recordings, particularly his own version of "Desperados Waiting For A Train" on his first album, Old No. 1, released in 1975. Clark is frequently referred to as "The Fifth Highwayman".
Clark has been a mentor to such other singers as Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell. He organized Earle's first job as a writer in Nashville. In the 1970s, the Clarks' home in Nashville was an open house for songwriters and musicians and it features in the documentary Heartworn Highways, an evocation of the songwriter scene in Nashville at that time. (Snapper/Catfish, 1981/2003, with Townes Van Zandt, David Allan Coe, and Steve Earle). Numerous artists have charted with Clark-penned tunes. In 1982, Bobby Bare made it to the Country Top Twenty with Clark’s "New Cut Road". That same year, bluegrass leader Ricky Skaggs hit No. 1 with Clark’s "Heartbroke", a song that permanently established his reputation as an ingenious songwriter. Among the many others who have covered Clark's songs are Vince Gill, who took "Oklahoma Borderline" to the Top Ten in 1985; The Highwaymen, who introduced "Desperados Waiting For A Train" to a new generation that same year; and John Conlee, whose interpretation of “The Carpenter” rode into the Top Ten in 1987.
Steve Wariner took his cover of Clark's "Baby I’m Yours" to No. 1 in 1988; Asleep at the Wheel charted with Clark's "Blowin’ Like a Bandit" the same year. Crowell was Clark’s co-writer on "She’s Crazy for Leavin’", which in 1989 became the third of five straight #l hits for Crowell. Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson cover Clark’s "Out in the Parkin' Lot," co-written with Darrell Scott, on Paisley's Time Well Wasted CD. Jimmy Buffett has covered Clark’s "Boats to Build" and "Cinco de Mayo in Memphis". Clark credits Townes Van Zandt as being a major influence on his songwriting. They were best friends for many years until Van Zandt's death in 1997, and since then Clark has included one of Van Zandt's compositions on most of his albums. In 1995, he recorded a live album with Van Zandt and Steve Earle, Together at the Bluebird Cafe, which was released in October 2001. Other live material can be found on his album Keepers.
In 2006 Clark released Workbench Songs. The album was nominated for "Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album" at the Grammy Awards. He also toured with Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely, and John Hiatt in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
In May 2008, Clark canceled four concerts after breaking his leg. After two months on crutches, he began to perform again on July 4 at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC where he appeared with Verlon Thompson. On June 20, 2009, Clark announced a new album entitled "Somedays the Song Writes You" which was released on September 22, 2009. It features originals along with a Townes Van Zandt song entitled "If I Needed You".
In December 2011 This One's For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark (a two-CD set) was released by Icehouse Music.
Guy Clark won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in 2014 for My Favorite Picture of You.
On May 17, 2016, Clark's death was announced on his Facebook page.
Clark was married to songwriter and artist, Susanna Clark from 1972 through her death from cancer on June 27, 2012.
A Little Of Both
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like being straight
I like a voodoo spinners
And I like live bait
I like a hundred miles an hour
I like Sunday driving too
I like being alone with me
[Chorus]
Give me a bowl of chili
Give me milk and toast
As long as you're dishing it out Lord
I'll take a little of both
I could do with someone
But I could do without
Sometimes you feel like dancing
Sometimes like sitting it out
I like staying at home
And I like going to town
("And I can't help going to town")
As long as I got a choice
I can't turn nothing down
[Chorus]
Put a little gravy on everything for me
Sometimes I like to fly
Sometimes I have to crawl,
Sometimes I'm cool as ice
Sometimes I'm climbin' the wall
Sometimes it's just the money
Sometimes it's just a game
Six of one and half-a-dozen
Of another is all the same
[Chorus: x2]
Guy Clark's song "A Little of Both" is a celebration of the paradoxical nature of human desires and interests. The lyrics advocate for the idea that it's possible to want seemingly opposite things and still be a complete person. The lines "I like drinking whiskey, I like being straight" and "I like a hundred miles an hour, I like Sunday driving too" illustrate the idea that an individual can appreciate both extremes of a given spectrum. The same sentiment is repeated in the chorus, as the singer asks for "a little of both" when being offered a bowl of chili with milk and toast.
The song also explores the idea of wanting companionship while still valuing one's independence. The singer claims he could "do with someone but...could do without," and that he likes both staying at home and going to town, as long as he has a choice. This idea of wanting both solitude and camaraderie is beautifully summed up with the line "I like being alone with me, I like being alone with you." In essence, "A Little of Both" is a song that promotes the idea of balance and finding joy in the contradictions that make up a person's personality.
Line by Line Meaning
I like drinking whiskey
I enjoy consuming whiskey
I like being straight
I enjoy being sober
I like a voodoo spinners
I enjoy unconventional ideas and beliefs
And I like live bait
I enjoy fishing with live bait
I like a hundred miles an hour
I enjoy driving fast
I like Sunday driving too
I enjoy leisurely driving as well
I like being alone with me
I enjoy my personal time and space
I like being alone with you
I enjoy spending alone time with someone special
Give me a bowl of chili
I would like a serving of chili
Give me milk and toast
I would like some milk and toast
As long as you're dishing it out Lord
I will take anything you serve me
I'll take a little of both
I am open to trying new things
I could do with someone
I would like companionship
But I could do without
I value having my personal space
Sometimes you feel like dancing
I feel like having fun and being energetic
Sometimes like sitting it out
I feel like being still and taking it easy
I like staying at home
I enjoy being at home
And I like going to town
I enjoy going out and exploring the city
As long as I got a choice
I appreciate having options
I can't turn nothing down
I am open to trying anything new
Put a little gravy on everything for me
I would like gravy on all my food
Sometimes I like to fly
I enjoy being adventurous and taking risks
Sometimes I have to crawl,
I have to work hard and be patient at times
Sometimes I'm cool as ice
I am calm and collected
Sometimes I'm climbin' the wall
I am feeling restless and anxious
Sometimes it's just the money
Sometimes I prioritize financial gain
Sometimes it's just a game
Sometimes I prioritize having fun
Six of one and half-a-dozen
Two options are similar
Of another is all the same
Either option is okay with me
Give me a bowl of chili
I would like a serving of chili
Give me milk and toast
I would like some milk and toast
As long as you're dishing it out Lord
I will take anything you serve me
I'll take a little of both
I am open to trying new things
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GUY CLARK, VERLON THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind