Born and raised in Maywood, Illinois, Prine learned to play the guitar at age 14. He attended classes at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. After serving in West Germany with the U.S. Army, he returned to Chicago in the late 1960s, where he worked as a mailman, writing and singing songs first as a hobby and then as a club performer.
A member of Chicago's folk revival, a laudatory review by critic Roger Ebert built Prine's popularity. Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson heard Prine at Steve Goodman's insistence, and Kristofferson invited Prine to be his opening act, leading to Prine's eponymous debut album with Atlantic Records in 1971. The acclaim Prine earned from his first LP led to three more albums for Atlantic. He then recorded three albums with Asylum Records. In 1981, he co-founded Oh Boy Records, an independent label where he released most of his subsequent albums.
Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, as well as serious songs with social commentary and songs that recollect sometimes melancholy tales from his life.
Prine was the son of William Mason Prine, a tool-and-die maker, and Verna Valentine (Hamm), a homemaker, both originally from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Maywood. In summers, they would go back to visit family near Paradise, Kentucky. Prine started playing guitar at age 14, taught by his brother, David. He attended classes at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, and graduated from Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois. He was a U.S. Postal Service mailman for five years and was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War era, serving as a vehicle mechanic in West Germany before beginning his musical career in Chicago.
Prine is widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. He has been referred to as "the Mark Twain of songwriting".
Johnny Cash, in his autobiography Cash, wrote, "I don't listen to music much at the farm, unless I'm going into songwriting mode and looking for inspiration. Then I'll put on something by the writers I've admired and used for years—Rodney Crowell, John Prine, Guy Clark, and the late Steve Goodman are my Big Four ..."
Roger Waters, when asked by Word Magazine in 2008 if he heard Pink Floyd's influence in newer British bands such as Radiohead, replied, "I don't really listen to Radiohead. I listened to the albums and they just didn't move me in the way, say, John Prine does. His is just extraordinarily eloquent music—and he lives on that plane with Neil [Young] and [John] Lennon." He later named Prine as among the five most important songwriters.
Prine's influence is seen in the work of younger artists, whom he often mentored, including Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Tyler Childers, and Robin Pecknold.
The last song Prine recorded before he died was "I Remember Everything", released on June 12, 2020, alongside a music video. It was released following the two-hour special tribute show, A Tribute Celebrating John Prine aired on June 11, 2020, which featured Sturgill Simpson, Vince Gill, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Wilson, Eric Church, Brandi Carlile and many other country artists and friends.[45] On the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Prine singing "I Remember Everything" was the soundtrack to the COVID-19 memorial video.
Aimless Love
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To have his heart touched without a glove
He looks at strangers as potential dangers
Trying to steal his aimless love
Love has no mind, it can't spell unkind
It's never seen a heart shaped like a valentine
For if love knew him, it'd walk up to him
I been out walking, kinda pillow talking
To anyone that has the time for me
For there are some folks they think that love chokes
And it ties and keeps them from being free
Love has no mind it can't spell unkind
It's never seen a heart shaped like a valentine
For if love knew you it'd walk up to you
And introduce you to an aimless love
Do you look at strangers as potential dangers
Trying to steal your aimless love
Love has no mind, it can't spell unkind
It's never seen a heart shaped like a valentine
For if love knew you, it'd walk up to you
And introduce you to an aimless love
And introduce you to an aimless love
The lyrics of John Prine's song Aimless Love are both poetic and thought-provoking. The song talks about love in a way that goes beyond the typical romanticization of the concept. Instead, Prine uses imagery and metaphors to depict a love that is aimless, uncertain and perhaps even dangerous.
The first verse introduces us to a man who is afraid of being vulnerable in love. He is "small fry" and "gun shy," indicating that he is intimidated and lacks confidence. He sees potential partners as threats who might "steal his aimless love." This suggests that he has no clear idea of what love means to him, and that he sees it as something that is elusive and difficult to hold onto.
The second verse shifts the focus to the singer who is walking around, talking to anyone who will listen. It appears that she is looking for answers regarding love and relationship. Some people around her believe that love is restrictive and limiting. However, the singer suggests that love should not be seen as a constraint, but rather as an uplifting force that can lead to a sense of freedom.
In the chorus, Prine offers a definition of love that is abstract and undefined. He suggests that love has "no mind," and that it cannot judge or harm us. If we can open ourselves up to love, it will lead us to an "aimless love" that is not bound by expectations or preconceived notions.
Overall, Aimless Love is a powerful commentary on the complex and multifaceted nature of love. It encourages us to be open-minded and open-hearted, even when we feel uncertain or scared.
Line by Line Meaning
He's just a small fry, a bit too gun shy
He's a small, unimportant person who is hesitant to open up and be vulnerable.
To have his heart touched without a glove
He's afraid to let his guard down and have his feelings hurt.
He looks at strangers as potential dangers
He sees strangers as possible threats to his safety and happiness.
Trying to steal his aimless love
He fears others will take advantage of his lack of direction in love and relationships.
Love has no mind, it can't spell unkind
Love is not capable of being malicious or unkind.
It's never seen a heart shaped like a valentine
Love doesn't conform to the idealized image of a heart-shaped like a valentine.
For if love knew him, it'd walk up to him
If love understood him, it would reach out to him on its own.
And introduce him to an aimless love
It would connect him with a love that lacks direction or purpose.
I been out walking, kinda pillow talking
He's been wandering around, having personal conversations with strangers.
To anyone that has the time for me
He'll talk to anyone who is willing to listen.
For there are some folks they think that love chokes
Some people believe that love stifles their personal freedom.
And it ties and keeps them from being free
They feel trapped in a relationship and unable to pursue their individual goals.
Do you look at strangers as potential dangers
The singer wonders if the listener also sees strangers as threats.
Trying to steal your aimless love
He asks if the listener is afraid that others will take advantage of their lack of direction in love.
And introduce you to an aimless love
Love could connect the listener with a love that lacks direction or purpose.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN E. PRINE, JOHN E PRINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crystalpope2451
I love you, John. I'm 56, been listening to you most of my adult life. There's no one like you, man. Bless you.
@teabaggervance8
Watching a John Prine show with my lover, is some of my best memories on earth!
@TheCoolPoole
Love this RIP John
@Brickhoue67
Beautiful John. Just beautiful.
@billybober1812
Beautiful electric guitar tone.
@kristijones6552
Love it!! So true....
@zakhossain3004
In the 70s, my first concert was by JP in Chicago. Loved him since then! No second like JP!
@cryslovesmusic
This album is an aimless love..
But a love nontheless.
@TheCanineCaper
R.I.P. John
@weasel9834
Still love you man!