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.
Queenie
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I found her under a tree
If I hadn't loved that dog so much
It wouldn't mean nothin' to me
You son of a bitch I'll tell you what
I will not be deterred
I'll find you out and track you down
[Chorus]
Queenies getting buried
It's time to dig the hole
New Year's Day in Santa Fe
Broke mean and it broke cold
I don't predict the world will end
I don't presume it won't
I don't pretend to give a damn
It it do or if it don't
Bet you got a gun for Christmas
That don't make it right
What in the hell were you thinkin'
With little Queenie in your sights
[Chorus]
Brother Death and Father Time
Are almost loaded up
Headed for the border line
In a stolen pick-up truck
For old aquaintance not forgot
For old dogs left behind
I won't forgive and I can't forget
The year of '99
Screamin' Auld Lang Syne
Guy Clark's Queenie's Song is a poignant and heartfelt ballad about the death of a beloved dog, Queenie. The song opens with Clark recounting the brutal murder of his dog, which he found under a tree. Clark declares that if he didn't love that dog so much, her death wouldn't mean anything to him. He then threatens the perpetrator of this crime, promising to find them and deliver justice.
The chorus mourns Queenie's passing, as it is time to bury her. Clark sings about the sad new year's day of 1999, marked by financial hardship and extreme cold. He then reflects on the uncertainty of life, stating that he neither predicts nor presumes the end or continuity of the world. Clark then goes on to address the person who shot Queenie, calling them out for their senseless act and asking what they were thinking shooting a defenseless dog.
The final verse invokes the personifications of death and time, who are almost ready to depart in a stolen pickup truck. Clark recalls those dear to him who have passed away and the dogs he's lost before. He concludes the song by screaming Auld Lang Syne, a farewell to the old year, old acquaintances, and old dogs left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Some S.O.B. shot my dog
My dog has been shot and I blame someone else for it
I found her under a tree
I discovered my dead dog beneath a tree
If I hadn't loved that dog so much
If my love for my dog wasn't so great
It wouldn't mean nothin' to me
I wouldn't be so devastated by her death
You son of a bitch I'll tell you what
I'm angry at whoever is responsible for my dog's death
I will not be deterred
I won't let this go without finding out who did it
I'll find you out and track you down
I'll relentlessly search for the person who shot my dog
On that you have my word
I promise to do whatever it takes to bring that person to justice
[Chorus] Queenies getting buried
I'm burying my dog Queenie
It's time to dig the hole
I need to prepare the grave for Queenie's burial
New Year's Day in Santa Fe
The day when I'm burying Queenie is January 1st in Santa Fe
Broke mean and it broke cold
I'm financially struggling and it's also very cold outside
I don't predict the world will end
I'm not making any predictions about the world ending
I don't presume it won't
I'm not assuming that the world won't end
I don't pretend to give a damn
I don't act like I care one way or the other
It it do or if it don't
Whether or not the world ends, I don't care
Bet you got a gun for Christmas
I'm guessing that you received a gun as a Christmas present
That don't make it right
But that doesn't mean it's okay to use it to shoot my dog
What in the hell were you thinkin'
What possessed you to shoot my dog?
With little Queenie in your sights
When you shot my dog, Queenie was right in front of you
[Chorus]
I'm still mourning Queenie's death and preparing her burial
Brother Death and Father Time
Personifications of death and time
Are almost loaded up
They're about to depart
Headed for the border line
They're traveling toward the border
In a stolen pick-up truck
They've stolen a pick-up truck to make their journey
For old aquaintance not forgot
I haven't forgotten about old friends
For old dogs left behind
I'm also thinking about my old dogs who have died
I won't forgive and I can't forget
I won't let go of the anger and pain from my dog's death
The year of '99
Referring to a specific year as particularly memorable or significant
Screamin' Auld Lang Syne
Screaming the lyrics to the traditional New Year's song 'Auld Lang Syne'
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: GUY CLARK, TERRY ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind