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.
Broken Hearted People
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And tryin' to drown those sorrows ain't as easy as you think
But living with a liar is a hard old way to go
Laughin' just to keep from crying ain't no way to grow old
[Chorus]
So take me to a barroom driver
Set me on a stool
I'm damned if I'll be her fool
They say that whiskey ain't the best way, but then I ain't too smart
To think I just found out she was lyin' from the start
So if this is nothing but a bad joke lookin' for a laugh
Hold on to your lampshade darlin' cause I'm looking for a hat
[Chorus]
So get this taxi movin' cause I got no time to lose
There's no time to be choosy, any old bar will do
Cause I'm lookin' to get silly and I'm lookin' to get loose
And if that don't get it done darlin', I'll come looking for you
In Guy Clark's song "Broken Hearted People," the lyrics suggest that people with broken hearts often turn to alcohol to cope with their pain. However, trying to drown one's sorrows with alcohol is not an easy fix. The song goes on to say that living with a liar is a difficult way to live, and laughing just to hide the pain doesn't lead to a fulfilling life. The chorus asserts that if the singer can't be with the one he loves, he would rather be single than her fool. The singer then asks to be taken to a barroom, where he can drink and forget his troubles.
The song speaks to a universal human experience of heartbreak and the ways that people cope with it. The lyrics convey the pain and confusion one experiences when they have been lied to by someone they trusted and loved. The singer uses alcohol as a temporary relief, but ultimately he knows that he cannot escape his heartbreak, and he must face it head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
Now broken hearted people always seem to drink
People who have had their hearts broken often resort to drinking.
And tryin' to drown those sorrows ain't as easy as you think
Trying to forget your pain with alcohol isn't a simple fix.
But living with a liar is a hard old way to go
Being in a relationship with someone who is dishonest is difficult.
Laughin' just to keep from crying ain't no way to grow old
Using laughter to mask your pain isn't a healthy way to deal with it in the long run.
Chorus
The chorus repeats throughout the song and expresses the artist's desire to drink and avoid being made a fool by a woman.
They say that whiskey ain't the best way, but then I ain't too smart
While some might argue that drinking isn't a good solution, the singer acknowledges that he isn't very intelligent.
To think I just found out she was lyin' from the start
The singer has discovered that his partner was dishonest from the beginning of their relationship.
So if this is nothing but a bad joke lookin' for a laugh
If this situation is all a joke and the artist is the punchline, he's looking for a way to make light of it.
Hold on to your lampshade darlin' cause I'm looking for a hat
The artist is leaving, but he'll be back to retrieve his personal items.
Chorus
The chorus repeats throughout the song and expresses the artist's desire to drink and avoid being made a fool by a woman.
So get this taxi movin' cause I got no time to lose
The singer is in a hurry to get to the bar and start drinking.
There's no time to be choosy, any old bar will do
The artist doesn't care where he goes as long as he can have a drink.
Cause I'm lookin' to get silly and I'm lookin' to get loose
The singer wants to drink until he feels silly and relaxed.
And if that don't get it done darlin', I'll come looking for you
If drinking doesn't make the singer feel better, he'll come back to confront the person who hurt him.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind