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.
HANDS
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beating blindly on the anvil a hammer cannot feel
But a hand is for reaching out and touching all you can
Holding on and hoping that you'll come to understand
So always try to keep you heart connected to your wrist
'Cause everybody knows that you can't shake hands with a fist
Without a window anywhere you know a tower stands alone
But a hand can open windows that have never seen the light
Lead you through the darkness and guide you through the night
So always try to keep you heart connected to your wrist
'Cause everybody knows that you can't shake hands with a fist
Guy Clark's song "Hands" is a poetic representation of the interconnectedness of human emotions and actions. The song makes use of vivid imagery, describing hands as tools that can either build bridges or tear them down. Clark juxtaposes the two for maximum impact, first describing a hand as a "hammer made of steel" that beats blindly on the anvil, unable to feel. This is contrasted with the potential for a hand to reach out and touch others, to hold on, and to hope for understanding.
The lyrics then shift to a discussion of fists and towers. A fist is likened to a tower made of stone that stands alone, with no way in or out. In contrast, a hand can open windows and lead one through darkness and guide you through the night. The final stanza reinforces the idea that keeping your heart connected to your wrist is key to fostering empathy and connection. The phrase "you can't shake hands with a fist" acts as a rallying cry for peace and understanding.
Overall, "Hands" is a beautifully rendered argument for peaceful coexistence, empathy, and shared experience.
Line by Line Meaning
A hand is just another kind of hammer made of steel
A hand has the power to work hard like a hammer that is made of steel
Beating blindly on the anvil a hammer cannot feel
A hammer, like a hand, is meant for hard work but it lacks the feeling of a human hand
But a hand is for reaching out and touching all you can
A human hand is not only meant for hard work but also for reaching out and touching those that need it
Holding on and hoping that you'll come to understand
A hand can hold on to others and help them understand the ways of the world
So always try to keep you heart connected to your wrist
It's important to stay true to yourself and your emotions, and let your hand guide you
'Cause everybody knows that you can't shake hands with a fist
You can't truly connect with someone when your hand is closed up in a fist
A fist is just another kind of tower made of stone
A fist, when closed, creates a barrier like a tower made of stone
Without a window anywhere you know a tower stands alone
Without the ability to open up, a closed fist creates isolation and separation from others
But a hand can open windows that have never seen the light
A hand, when opened, can bring light to dark situations and help others see things in a new way
Lead you through the darkness and guide you through the night
A hand can lead and guide someone through their struggles and dark times
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Guy Clark, Joe Henry, Verlon Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind