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.
Anyhow
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the bad times always seem to keep the change
You been all alone so you know what I'm sayin'
So when all you can recall is the pain
[Chorus]
Just you wait until tomorrow when you wake up with me
At your side and find I haven't lied about nothin'
In the mornin', anyhow I love you
Everyday it gets just a little bit better
And half the gettin' there is knowin' where I been before
I'm sure you understand 'cause I ain't your first man
So when you feel like runnin' for the back door, don't
[Chorus]
The opening verse of "Anyhow I Love You" may be interpreted as the reflections of a person who has experienced a lot of tough times. He wishes he had a dime for every terrible moment he has gone through in his life. However, he realizes that after all the heartaches and disappointments, he is still standing. The bad experiences he has encountered cannot seem to weigh him down, and he is able to keep going. The singer understands that the person he is talking to has been through the same, which is why he emphasizes that when all that can be remembered is the pain, it is better to wait until tomorrow, and hopefully, everything will be better.
In the chorus, the singer talks of waiting for tomorrow with the person he loves. He believes that her perception of him will change when she wakes up next to him, and he hasn't lied to her about anything. He assures her that the way he feels about her is unmatched, and he values her more than material possessions. His love for her is constant and unyielding, and he tries to make her feel his emotions.
The second verse is about the singer's gradual ability to deal with his past experiences. He acknowledges that getting to a better place takes time and effort and stresses that it is because of his previous experiences that he is where he is currently. He notes that the person he is talking to understands where he has been because she has been with other men before him. Nevertheless, when she feels like running away, he begs her not to, asking her to trust him and see where their relationship goes.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I had a dime for every bad time
If only I had money for every difficult moment I've faced
But the bad times always seem to keep the change
Unfortunately, those tough experiences seem to linger without relief
You been all alone so you know what I'm sayin'
I can tell that you've experienced loneliness because you can empathize with my pain
So when all you can recall is the pain
It's hard to remember anything positive when all you've experienced is hurt
Just you wait until tomorrow when you wake up with me
Tomorrow will bring a new opportunity for us to be together
At your side and find I haven't lied about nothin'
When you wake up with me, you'll see that I've always been truthful and honest
I wouldn't trade a tree for the way I feel about you
There's nothing in the world that I would trade for the love that I have for you
In the mornin', anyhow I love you
Regardless of what happens, in the morning, I will always love you
Everyday it gets just a little bit better
Things are improving bit by bit with each passing day
And half the gettin' there is knowin' where I been before
Knowing my past experiences and learning from them has helped me get to where I am now
I'm sure you understand 'cause I ain't your first man
I know you can relate because I'm not the first partner you've had
So when you feel like runnin' for the back door, don't
Even when things get tough, don't give up and run away
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind