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.
I Know One
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When all your friends have flown
Who'll be around to want you
When all your loves have gone
Only a fool would do it
After the way you've done
But how many fools would have you I know one
He fell in love at all
But you might need this fool
Around in case you fall
After the party's over
And you've had your fill of fun
If you need a fool to forgive you I know one
You never know, you might be lonely
When all your loves have missed
It wouldn't hurt to keep an extra
Fool on your list.
After your heart's been broken
And you need a place to run
If you'll take a fool who loves you
I know one
I know one
I know one
The song "I Know One" is a beautiful ballad performed by John Prine, featuring Emmylou Harris. The lyrics explore the idea of being the last one standing for someone after all their friends and loves have gone. The singer asks who will be there for the person in need when everyone else has left. The song suggests that only a fool would take a chance on someone who has hurt them before, but the singer is that fool because they know that everyone deserves a second chance. The song's message is simple: if you're looking for someone to stick around through the hard times, then look no further than the fool who still loves you even after everything.
The first verse sets up the premise of the song by asking who will be there for the person in need when everyone else has left. The next verse suggests that only a fool would take a chance on someone who has hurt them before, but the singer is that fool because they know that everyone deserves a second chance. The rest of the song follows this theme, with the singer offering to be there for their loved one whenever they need someone.
Line by Line Meaning
When all your loves have ended
When every romantic relationship you've had has come to a conclusion
When all your friends have flown
When you no longer have your friends around
Who'll be around to want you
Who will still care for you and want you despite everything
When all your loves have gone
When all your romantic relationships have come to an end
Only a fool would do it
It would be foolish to do what you've done
After the way you've done
After the way you've treated me
But how many fools would have you I know one
Despite your actions, there are still people who would be willing to love you and I am one of them
This fool keeps wonderin' why
I am questioning why I fell in love with you
He fell in love at all
Why did I even bother falling in love with you?
But you might need this fool
Even with everything that has happened, you might still need someone like me
Around in case you fall
I'll be here for you when you inevitably need someone to support you
After the party's over
Once all the celebrations have ended
And you've had your fill of fun
And once you've thoroughly enjoyed yourself
If you need a fool to forgive you I know one
If you need someone to forgive you, I am willing to be that person
You never know, you might be lonely
Although you may not think so now, you may end up feeling lonely
When all your loves have missed
When there is no one left to love and care for you
It wouldn't hurt to keep an extra
It wouldn't do any harm to keep someone like me around
Fool on your list.
Someone you can rely on and who will love you no matter what
After your heart's been broken
Once your heart has been shattered into pieces
And you need a place to run
When you need someone to turn to for comfort and support
If you'll take a fool who loves you
If you are willing to accept my love despite everything you've done
I know one
I am that person who loves you despite everything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACK CLEMENT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gunners47
SUPERB DUET!!
@crazyhorsetrader3779
What a legend we lost this year, John Prine
@johnlappin5881
A great singer gone way way too soon R I P JOHN PRINE
@frankburton320
Class. Real Class
@edicamon8486
Quan et trenquin el cor sempre trobaràs un beneit que t'estimi. Jo en conec un.