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.
Everybody
John Prine Lyrics
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While out sailing on the sea
I bumped into the Saviour
And He said pardon me
I said Jesus you look tired
He said Jesus so do you
Sit down son
Cause I got some fat to chew
Everybody needs somebody that they can talk to
Someone to open up their ears
And let that trouble through
Now you don't have to sympathize
Or care what they may do
But everybody needs somebody that they can talk to
Well he spoke to me of morality
Starvation, pain and sin
Matter of fact the whole dang time
I only got a few words in
But I won't squack
Let 'em talk
Hell it's been a long long time
And any friend that's been turned down
Is bound to be a friend of mine
Everybody needs somebody that they can talk to
Someone to open up their ears
And let that trouble through
Now you don't have to sympathize
Or care what they may do
But everybody needs somebody that they can talk to
Now we sat there for an hour or two
Just eatin' that Gospel pie
When around the bend come a terrible wind
And lightning lit the sky
He said so long son I gotta run
Appreciate you listening to me
And I believe I heard him sing these words
As he skipped out across the sea
Everybody needs somebody that they can talk to
Someone to open up their ears
And let that trouble through
Now you don't have to sympathize
Or care what they may do
But everybody needs somebody that they can talk to
In "Everybody", John Prine tells the story of meeting Jesus while out sailing on the ocean. He shares a conversation with Jesus in which they both admit to being tired, and Jesus talks about morality, pain, and sin. Through this story, the songwriter explores the idea that everyone needs someone to talk to, someone who will listen without judgment and help them process their troubles.
The song's chorus emphasizes this message, encouraging listeners to be that someone for others. It acknowledges that people don't need to agree or even understand the struggles of others, but they do need to listen and offer support. The verses also address the religious themes of mortality, faith, and salvation. It is a song that offers a message of empathy and kindness, and encourages people to be there for others when they need someone to talk to.
Line by Line Meaning
While out sailing on the ocean
During a voyage across the sea
I bumped into the Saviour
I unexpectedly met Jesus
And He said pardon me
Jesus politely excused himself
I said Jesus you look tired
I noticed the weariness on Jesus
He said Jesus so do you
Jesus reciprocated the observation
Sit down son
Jesus asked me to take a seat
Cause I got some fat to chew
He had important matters to discuss
Everybody needs somebody that they can talk to
All people require companionship and someone to confide in
Someone to open up their ears
To listen attentively without judgment
And let that trouble through
To allow someone to express their hardships
Now you don't have to sympathize
It is not necessary to share the same feelings
Or care what they may do
It is not compulsory to like their actions
Well he spoke to me of morality
Jesus talked about ethics and principles
Starvation, pain and sin
Jesus discussed suffering and wrongdoing
Matter of fact the whole dang time
In fact, he kept speaking throughout the conversation
I only got a few words in
I got limited speaking time
But I won't squack
I won't interrupt
Let 'em talk
Let him keep speaking
Hell it's been a long long time
It has been a while since we last talked
And any friend that's been turned down
Any rejected friend
Is bound to be a friend of mine
Will be my friend by default
Now we sat there for an hour or two
We sat and talked for a considerable amount of time
Just eatin' that Gospel pie
We were listening to Jesus' teachings
When around the bend come a terrible wind
Suddenly, a strong wind came
And lightning lit the sky
The storm was accompanied by lightning
He said so long son I gotta run
Jesus had to depart
Appreciate you listening to me
He was grateful for my attentive listening
And I believe I heard him sing these words
I think I heard Jesus' singing voice
As he skipped out across the sea
As he swiftly left by crossing the water
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Prine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind