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.
tears
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has never tried to brush away a tear
Quicker than a wink there'll be something inf your eye
You can't beat a tear if you try
Tears of joy have graced us all
Tears of sorrow sometimes and all
Some tears betray you just before you know
Some tears are harder than stone
Some tears are better left alone
I've seen them kept in bottles
I've seen `em left to dry
You can't beat a tear if you try
In Guy Clark's song "Tears," the artist explores the emotional weight of tears and how they reflect the range of human experiences. The opening lines, "who ever said the hand is quicker than the eye, has never tried to brush away a tear," suggest that tears can quickly reveal the truth beneath the surface. The next line, "quicker than a wink there'll be something in your eye," implies that tears come unannounced and uncontrollable.
Clark goes on to describe the various types of tears we experience in life, from tears of joy to tears of sorrow. Tears can be deceiving, as some "betray you just before you know" while others "don't ever show." He notes that some tears are harder than stone and better left alone.
Overall, Clark's lyrics suggest that tears are a natural and important part of the human experience. They can reveal our deepest emotions and reflect the full spectrum of human feelings, but at the same time, they can also be misunderstood and difficult to control. The song captures the complex, bittersweet nature of tears and the role they play in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Who ever said the hand is quicker than the eye
No one can beat the speed of emotions
Has never tried to brush away a tear
When it comes to shedding tears, emotions win
Quicker than a wink there'll be something in your eye
Tears come unexpectedly
You can't beat a tear if you try
One cannot control the flow of emotions
Tears of joy have graced us all
Happiness can also make us shed tears
Tears of sorrow sometimes and all
Sadness is a common cause of tears
Some tears betray you just before you know
Tears can show our emotions before we even realize it
Some tears don't ever show
Sometimes we hold back our tears
Some tears are harder than stone
Certain emotions can be tough to handle
Some tears are better left alone
Suppressing emotions can also be necessary
I've seen them kept in bottles
Some people hold onto their emotions
I've seen 'em left to dry
Others let go of them over time
You can't beat a tear if you try
Whether we want to or not, tears will come
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Guy Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind