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 Going 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
Chorus
She ain't goin' nowhere, she's just leavin'.
She ain't goin' nowhere she can't breathe in.
She's not sitting and cryin' on her suitcase.
She has no second thoughts by the road.
But she's feelins than need some reparin'.
And she did not give a damn that it showed.
Chorus
And the wind had it's 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.
Chorus twice
The lyrics of Guy Clark's song "She Ain't Going Nowhere" seems to be about a woman who is leaving her past behind and embracing the unknown with open arms. She has nothing holding her back, not even the fear of leaving. The line "Standin' on the gone side of leavin'" suggests that the woman has already made up her mind and there is no turning back. She is determined to go somewhere and experience all the world has to offer. The line "She'll take anything that's goin' close to somewhere" shows that the woman is not picky about where she goes, as long as it's somewhere new and exciting. She is not bound by social conventions or expectations and is willing to live life on her own terms.
The chorus of the song repeats the lyric "She ain't goin' nowhere" several times, which could be interpreted in multiple ways. On one hand, it could mean that the woman is not afraid of the journey she's embarking on, that she is confident in her decision to leave. On the other hand, it could mean that where she ends up isn't as important as the journey itself. The line "She ain't goin' home, and that's for sure" also suggests that the woman is choosing to leave everything familiar behind and start anew. The second verse talks about how the woman is not second-guessing her decision to leave and is instead dealing with her own personal issues.
Overall, the song "She Ain't Going Nowhere" celebrates the freedom and bravery that comes with leaving everything behind and starting fresh. It portrays the woman as strong and independent, while also acknowledging that the journey may not be easy.
Line by Line Meaning
Standin' on the gone side of leavin'.
She is on the brink of leaving.
She found a thumb and stuck it in the breeze.
She hitchhiked and took the first ride that came her way.
She'll take anything that's goin' close to somewhere.
She is not picky about the destination as long as she's moving.
She can lay it down and live it like she'd please
She adapts to the situation and makes the best of it according to her will.
She ain't goin' nowhere, she's just leavin'.
She is leaving, but not without a purpose and direction.
She ain't goin' nowhere she can't breathe in.
She is not going to any place that suffocates her.
And she ain't goin' home, and that's for sure.
She is not headed back to the place she came from.
She's not sitting and cryin' on her suitcase.
She is not lamenting over her decision to leave.
She has no second thoughts by the road.
She is confident and resolute in her journey.
But she's feelings than need some repairing'.
Despite her determination, she has emotional wounds that need healing.
And she did not give a damn that it showed.
She was unapologetic about her vulnerability.
And the wind had it's way with her hair.
She let the wind mess up her hair without caring much about it.
And the blues had a way with her smile.
Her smile was affected by the sadness she carried.
And she had a way of her own.
She had her unique personality and mannerisms.
Like prisoners have a way with a file.
Just like prisoners have a knack for escaping, she has a way of dealing with things her way.
Chorus twice
The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing her determination to leave but not without a clear goal in mind.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind