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.
Black Haired Boy
Guy Clark Lyrics
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And he makes no excuse for the things that he's usin'
He's gentle and wild and a child of the mountain
His words are for singing and his days are for countin'
[Chorus]
And he's looking for a home he's scared to find
Some lady beside him and he's drunk on white wine
He's a devil in the morning and a savior at night
Tomorrow's a case of whatever's right
Lonesome and high are the things that he feels
And the cards that he plays are the ones that he deals
[Chorus]
He's one of the chances you're entitled to take
He's one of the hearts that it's too late to break
I've seen him be sad and never know why
Seen him fall down to laugh, seen him stand up to cry
[Chorus]
The song "Black Haired Boy" by Guy Clark is a tribute to a restless and conflicted young man who is seeking his place in the world. The singer is described as having a wild streak, but also possessing a strong sensitivity that makes him a child of the mountain. The lyrics suggest that he is using drugs or alcohol to numb his pain, but he makes no apologies for his actions. The words he speaks are meant to be sung, and he counts the days until he finds a home where he can belong.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "He's looking for a home he's scared to find," which indicates a fear of commitment or permanence. He seeks the company of women to alleviate his loneliness, but the effect is transitory and leaves him drunk on white wine. The second verse suggests that he is torn between his darker impulses and his desire to do the right thing. He swings from being a devil in the morning to a savior at night, and he never knows what tomorrow will bring. The cards he plays are the ones he deals, indicating that he must take responsibility for his own fate.
The final verse suggests that the singer is a risk worth taking, despite his flaws. He is one of the hearts that it's too late to break, implying that he has already suffered enough pain in his life. He can be sad without knowing why, suggesting that his moods are unpredictable and hard to control. The song ends with the line "seen him stand up to cry," which is a poignant image of a strong young man brought to his knees by his own emotions. Taken as a whole, "Black Haired Boy" is a haunting and insightful portrait of a troubled soul who is searching for a way to make sense of his life.
Line by Line Meaning
He's a black haired boy of some confusion
The boy has a mysterious nature that makes it hard to understand him.
And he makes no excuse for the things that he's usin'
He is unapologetic for his actions and the things he uses to cope with life.
He's gentle and wild and a child of the mountain
He has a soft and caring side but is also impulsive and free-spirited like the mountains.
His words are for singing and his days are for countin'
He enjoys the simple pleasures of life and expresses himself through music.
And he's looking for a home he's scared to find
He longs for a sense of belonging but is intimidated by the vulnerability that comes with it.
Some lady beside him and he's drunk on white wine
He seeks companionship to ease his fears and often turns to alcohol to escape reality.
He's a devil in the morning and a savior at night
His moods and actions are unpredictable, and he can switch from destructive to helpful.
Tomorrow's a case of whatever's right
He lives in the present and doesn't worry too much about the future.
Lonesome and high are the things that he feels
He often experiences feelings of loneliness and isolation, but also enjoys the euphoria of being high.
And the cards that he plays are the ones that he deals
He takes responsibility for his actions and the consequences that follow.
He's one of the chances you're entitled to take
He represents one of life's unpredictable risks and opportunities.
He's one of the hearts that it's too late to break
He has been hurt before and has learned to protect his heart.
I've seen him be sad and never know why
He can experience sadness without understanding the cause of it.
Seen him fall down to laugh, seen him stand up to cry
He has a complex personality and can switch between joy and sadness unexpectedly.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY CLARK, SUSANNA WALLIS CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind