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.
She Ain'T Goin' Nowhere
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She found a thumb and stuck it in the breeze
She'll take anything that's goin' close to somewhere
She can lay it down and live it like she'd please
She ain't goin' nowhere, she's just leavin'
She ain't goin' nowhere she can't breathe in
And she ain't goin' home, and that's for sure
She's not sitting down and cryin' on her suitcase
She has no second thoughts by the road
But she's got feelings that need some reparin'
And she did not give a damn that it showed
She ain't goin' nowhere, she's just leavin'
She ain't goin' nowhere she can't breathe in
And she ain't goin' home, and that's for sure
And the wind had its way with her hair
And the blues had a way with her smile
And she had a way of her own
Like prisoners have a way with a file
She ain't goin' nowhere, she's just leavin'
She ain't goin' nowhere she can't breathe in
And she ain't goin' home, and that's for sure
She ain't goin' nowhere, she's just leavin'
She ain't goin' nowhere she can't breathe in
And she ain't goin' home, and that's for sure
The song "She Ain't Goin' Nowhere" by Guy Clark is a story of a woman who has made the decision to leave her current situation and start anew. She does not have a specific destination in mind, but she is confident in her ability to survive wherever she ends up. She's not crying or second-guessing her decision, but she also recognizes that she has some emotional wounds that need healing. She is a free spirit who refuses to be tied down to anyone or anything.
The opening lines "Standin' on the gone side of leavin' / She found a thumb and stuck it in the breeze" sets the tone for the entire song. The woman is leaving everything behind and is hitchhiking her way to wherever the wind takes her. She's not a victim who is running away from her problems, but rather a strong-willed woman who wants to take control of her own life. The lyrics "And she ain't goin' home, and that's for sure" further emphasizes her determination to start fresh and not look back.
Throughout the song, Clark masterfully portrays the woman's confidence and resilience. The line "She'll take anything that's goin' close to somewhere / She can lay it down and live it like she'd please" highlights her sense of adventure and possibility. She's not afraid to take risks and embrace the unknown. The imagery in the lines "And the wind had its way with her hair / And the blues had a way with her smile" describes the woman's carefree nature and her ability to find joy in the midst of uncertainty.
Overall, "She Ain't Goin' Nowhere" celebrates the courage of a woman who refuses to settle for anything less than what she deserves. It's a timeless ode to freedom, adventure, and the power of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Standin' on the gone side of leavin'
She is standing on the side of leaving, ready to go.
She found a thumb and stuck it in the breeze
She hitchhiked and caught a ride anywhere.
She'll take anything that's goin' close to somewhere
She is willing to take any ride that goes close to where she wants to go.
She can lay it down and live it like she'd please
Once she arrives, she can make a life for herself the way she wants.
She ain't goin' nowhere, she's just leavin'
She is not going nowhere, she's just leaving her current place behind.
She ain't goin' nowhere she can't breathe in
She is not going to a place where she cannot be herself.
And she ain't goin' home, and that's for sure
She has no plans of returning home anytime soon.
She's not sitting down and cryin' on her suitcase
She's not wasting time being upset about leaving.
She has no second thoughts by the road
She has no doubts about her decision to leave.
But she's got feelings that need some reparin'
She has some emotional healing to do.
And she did not give a damn that it showed
She doesn't care if people can see that she is hurting.
And the wind had its way with her hair
Her hair is blowing in the wind.
And the blues had a way with her smile
She's not feeling very happy or optimistic.
And she had a way of her own
She is unique and independent.
Like prisoners have a way with a file
Just as prisoners are clever with tools, she is resourceful in her own way.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind