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.
Rita Ballou
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shuffle to some cowboy hustle
How she made them trophy buckles shine, shine, shine
Wild-eyed and Mexican silvered,
Trickin' dumb ol' cousin Willard
into thinkin that he's got her this time
Hill country honky-tonkin Rita Ballou
Backslidin' barrel ridin' Rita Ballou
Ain't a cowboy in Texas would not ride a bull for you
She's a rawhide rope and velvet mixture
Walkin' talkin Texas texture
High-timin' barroom fixture kind of a girl
She's the queen of the cowboys
Look at old Willard grinnin' now boys
You'd of thought there's less fools in this world
Hill country honky-tonkin Rita Ballou
Every beer joint in town has played a fool for you
Backslidin' barrel ridin' Rita Ballou
Ain't a cowboy in Texas would not ride a bull for you
So good luck Willard and here's to you
And here's to Rita and I hope she'll do ya right all night
Lord I wish I was the fool in your shoes
Hill country honky-tonkin Rita Ballou
Every beer joint in town has played a fool for you
Backslidin' barrel ridin' Rita Ballou
Ain't a cowboy in Texas would not ride a bull for you
The song, "Rita Ballou" by Guy Clark, tells the story of a legendary woman who is the center of attention in every honky-tonk and bar in Texas. The lyrics describe her as a skilled dancer who can shuffle to any cowboy hustle and make trophy buckles shine. Rita is also described as a wild-eyed, Mexican silvered woman who tricks men into thinking they have a chance with her, including the "dumb ol' cousin Willard." Despite her charm and desirability, Rita is also portrayed as a rough-and-tumble cowgirl who can ride a bull and holds her own in any barroom brawl.
The song continues to paint a vivid picture of Rita and her effect on those around her. She is described as a mixture of rawhide rope and velvet, a "walkin' talkin' Texas texture" who is at home in any honky-tonk. Rita is not just any cowgirl, but the queen of the cowboys who can make even the most foolish men believe they stand a chance with her. The song ends with a wishful farewell to the lucky Willard and a declaration that every cowboy in Texas would happily ride a bull for Rita.
Overall, "Rita Ballou" is a celebration of a legendary figure in Texas culture, a woman who embodies the spirit of the Wild West and captivates all who cross her path.
Facts:
- Rita Ballou is a fictional character invented by Guy Clark.
- The song was first released in 1975 on Clark's album "Old No. 1."
- The song was covered by a number of artists including Jerry Jeff Walker, Nanci Griffith, and Steve Earle.
- The Uvalde referred to in the song is a town in south Texas where Clark grew up.
- Clark himself was a respected songwriter and musician in the Texas music scene.
- The song features classic honky-tonk instrumentals with a harmonica playing a prominent role.
- The song has been referred to as a "Texas anthem" due to its portrayal of Texan culture.
- The song is often cited as one of Clark's most popular and enduring works.
- Despite being a fictional character, Rita Ballou has become a cultural touchstone in Texas.
- The song is often played at football games and other Texas events as a tribute to the state's cowboy culture.
Chords:
The chords for "Rita Ballou" are G, C, and D. The song uses a simple 4/4 time signature and features a classic honky-tonk rhythm. Here is an example of the basic chord progression for the verses and chorus:
Verse:
G C G D
She could dance that slow Uvalde
G C G D
Shuffle to some cowboy hustle
G C G D
How she made them trophy buckles shine, shine, shine
G C G D
Wild-eyed and Mexican silvered,
Chorus:
G D C
Hill country honky-tonkin Rita Ballou
G D C
Every beer joint in town has played a fool for you
G D C
Backslidin' barrel ridin' Rita Ballou
G D C
Ain't a cowboy in Texas would not ride a bull for you
Line by Line Meaning
She could dance that slow Uvalde
She was a skilled dancer who could perform the slow Uvalde dance
Shuffle to some cowboy hustle
She was good at dancing the cowboy hustle dance as well
How she made them trophy buckles shine, shine, shine
She had a way of making trophy buckles shine and was proud of it
Wild-eyed and Mexican silvered,
She had a wild look in her eye and was decked out in Mexican silver
Trickin' dumb ol' cousin Willard into thinkin that he's got her this time
She was a flirt and liked to trick her cousin Willard into thinking she was interested in him
Hill country honky-tonkin Rita Ballou
Rita Ballou was a frequent visitor of honky-tonk bars in the hill country
Every beer joint in town has played a fool for you
Rita Ballou had a way of making all the men in every beer joint foolish for her
Backslidin' barrel ridin' Rita Ballou
In addition to dancing, Rita was also known for backsliding and riding barrels for fun
Ain't a cowboy in Texas would not ride a bull for you
She was so alluring that any cowboy in Texas would ride a bull for her
She's a rawhide rope and velvet mixture
Rita was a combination of tough and soft, like a rawhide rope and velvet mixture
Walkin' talkin Texas texture
Rita had a strong Texan identity and was proud of it
High-timin' barroom fixture kind of a girl
She was the type of girl who would frequent bars and enjoy the high life
She's the queen of the cowboys
She was revered by cowboys as their queen
Look at old Willard grinnin' now boys
Her cousin Willard was now grinning in amusement at how she was able to trick him
You'd of thought there's less fools in this world
Her ability to trick Willard made it seem like there were fewer intelligent people in the world
So good luck Willard and here's to you
Guy Clark wishes Willard good luck with Rita Ballou
And here's to Rita and I hope she'll do ya right all night
Guy Clark also wishes for Rita Ballou to treat Willard well throughout the night
Lord I wish I was the fool in your shoes
Guy Clark wishes he was the one being tricked by Rita Ballou instead of Willard
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind