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.
L.A. Freeway
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make note of all good wishes.
Say goodbye to the landlord for me.
That son of a bitch has always bored me.
Throw out them LA papers
And that moldy box of vanilla wafers.
Adios to all this concrete.
[Chorus]
If I can just get off of this LA freeway
Without getting killed or caught
I'd be down that road in a cloud of smoke
For some land that I ain't bought bought bought
Here's to you old skinny Dennis
Only one I think I will miss
I can hear that old bass singing
Sweet and low like a gift you're bringin'
Play it for me just one more time now
Got to give it all we can now
I believe everything your saying
Just keep on, keep on playing
[Chorus]
And you put the pink card in the mailbox
Leave the key in the old front door lock
They will find it likely as not
I'm sure there's somethin' we have forgot
Oh Susanna, don't you cry, babe
Love's a gift that's surely handmade
We've got something to believe in
Don't ya' think it's time we're leavin'
[Chorus]
Pack up all your dishes.
Make note of all good wishes.
Say goodbye to the landlord for me.
That son of a bitch has always bored me.
The Guy Clark song, “L.A. Freeway”, is a reflection on the frustrations and pressures of life in Los Angeles. The singer is fed up with city life and yearns to be free from the concrete jungle, the bills, the impersonal relationships, and the stresses of urban living. The opening verses suggest packing up and leaving – with a dismissive comment about the landlord – to find “some dirt road back street” and leave the “concrete” behind.
The chorus (“If I can just get off of this L.A. freeway Without getting killed or caught I'd be down that road in a cloud of smoke For some land that I ain't bought bought bought”), reinforces the desperation and urgency, as the singer seeks to escape the city and find respite in a simpler way of life. A recurring theme in the song is music – the mournful bass, which the singer will miss, and the plea to “just keep on playing” as a kind of validation of the need for escape. The last verse suggests a romantic relationship with “Susanna” that is both precious (“Love’s a gift that’s surely handmade”) but which also requires an exit from the city to flourish.
Overall, “L.A. Freeway” is a haunting reflection on the yearning for freedom and escape from the pressures of modern urban life. It is an ode to the transformative power of music and the need for simplicity, personal relationships, and a connection to the land. The song strikes a chord with many people who have felt the pull to leave behind the city and to find a simpler, more fulfilling life elsewhere.
Line by Line Meaning
Pack up all your dishes.
Collect all of your kitchenware and utensils.
Make note of all good wishes.
Take the time to remember all of the positive thoughts and supportive words shared with you.
Say goodbye to the landlord for me.
Bid farewell to the building manager on my behalf.
That son of a bitch has always bored me.
I never enjoyed interacting with that unpleasant person.
Throw out them LA papers
Discard the newspapers from Los Angeles.
And that moldy box of vanilla wafers.
Dispose of the stale and expired package of vanilla wafers.
Adios to all this concrete.
Farewell to the city, its tall buildings and extensive roads.
Gonna get me some dirt road back street
I'm going to find a simpler, more rural way of life.
If I can just get off of this LA freeway
Escaping from the congested highway in Los Angeles is of great importance.
Without getting killed or caught
It's crucial to avoid any dangerous situations or potential trouble.
I’d be down that road in a cloud of smoke
I'd move at a fast pace with barely any visibility.
For some land that I ain’t bought bought bought
I'm searching for untouched land that I have not yet acquired.
Here's to you old skinny Dennis
I'll toast to you Dennis, you'll be deeply missed.
Only one I think I will miss
You are the sole individual I'll feel nostalgic and saddened about.
I can hear that old bass singing
The bass guitar is audible and melodic in my memory.
Sweet and low like a gift you're bringin'
The music has an essence of calm and joy, as if it's a present for the listener.
Play it for me just one more time now
Please perform the song again, one last time.
Got to give it all we can now
We need to put maximum effort into the performance.
I believe everything your saying
I trust and have confidence in the lyrics and message of the song.
Just keep on, keep on playing
Please continue playing and don't stop.
And you put the pink card in the mailbox
Place the pink card in the mailbox.
Leave the key in the old front door lock
Insert the key into the front door lock and leave it there.
They will find it likely as not
It's probable that someone will find the key and card.
I’m sure there’s somethin’ we have forgot
I suspect we might have overlooked something or other.
Oh Susanna, don’t you cry, babe
Don't fret or get upset, Susanna.
Love’s a gift that’s surely handmade
Love is a unique and personal present.
We’ve got something to believe in
We have faith and something to hold on to.
Don’t ya’ think it’s time we’re leavin’
Don't you believe it is time for us to be on our way?
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulhbrown
Pack up all your dishes
Make note of all good wishes
Say goodbye to the landlord for me
That son of a bitch has always bored me
Throw out them LA papers
And that moldy box of vanilla wafers
Adios to all this concrete
Gonna get me some dirt road back street
Chorus:
If I can just get off of this LA freeway
Without getting killed or caught
I'd be down that road in a cloud of smoke
To some land that I ain't bought bought bought
Here's to you old skinny Dennis
Only one I think I will miss
I can hear that old bass singing
Sweet and low like a gift you're bringing
Play it for me just one more time now
Got to give it all we can now
I believe everything your saying
Just keep on, keep on playing
Chorus
And you put the pink card in the mailbox
Leave the key in the old front door lock
They will find it likely as not
I'm sure there's something we have forgot
Oh Susanna, don't you cry, babe
Love's a gift that's surely handmade
We've got something to believe in
Don't you think it's time we're leaving
Chorus
So pack up all your dishes
Make note of all good wishes
Say goodbye to the landlord for me
That son of a bitch has always bored me
@gregghill4586
This doesn't fall under classic country, this falls under pure greatness.
@kenwallewein2431
If you want a category, call it Roots or Americana
@pattyallen1626
My God, what a talent!
@bikeattilathehun3382
👍❤️🤙
@lesliebrown6428
Best comment I've seen in a while. Carry on with your bad self
@jameslevi1243
Well said!!
@nenstielkl
I was raised up on mainstream country music, and I often heard Guy Clark songs covered by slick Nashville stars. Never heard his original voice until about 2005, and it was this song. Let me tell you, it was a revelation to hear real handmade country music from an artist who didn't have his image controlled, his band pre-recorded, or his authentic rough edges sanded off by Music Row. Thanks to Guy Clark, and a few others like Townes, I can never go back.
@edwardhanson3664
Check out Dave Stamey
@lanny197202
Very well said sir.Had the same experience and have never gone back
@kenwallewein2431
It only goes to show, REAL country music isn't what you hear on the radio -- almost ever.