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.
People Puttin' People Down
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And people who are kings - sometimes they wear a crown
But all the people who don't fit
Get the only fun they get
From people puttin' people down
People puttin' people down
People without love - sometimes build a fence around
But all the people who don't fit
Get the only fun they get
From people puttin' people down
People puttin' people down
So cold, sometimes it gets so cold
You may love your wife - you may lose your family
You may lose you mind - just to keep your sanity
But the people who don't fit
Get the only fun they get
From people puttin' people down
People puttin' people down
People that are glad - sometimes they wear a smile
And people without dreams they walk the extra mile
But all the people who don't fit
Get the only fun they get
From people puttin' people down
People puttin' people dwn
From people puttin' people down
People puttin' people down
So cold, sometimes it gets so cold
The song "People Puttin' People Down" by John Prine talks about how some people tend to find pleasure and amusement in putting other people down. The lyrics suggest that those who are unhappy, lacking love, or without a dream may derive the only sense of entertainment from belittling others. The first verse suggests that regardless of whether one is a king or sad, there will always be someone finding happiness in putting others down. The following verse talks about people who isolate themselves from the world and build walls around their gardens, implying that they may do so as a response to being put down by others.
The second part of the song seems to be a message for those who are struggling in life. Prine points out that sometimes people lose the things they love and may even lose their minds in order to keep their sanity. He also suggests that people who are different and don't fit in are often the target of bullying and ridicule from others. The chorus repeats the idea that putting others down is a source of fun for some people.
Overall, the song "People Puttin' People Down" is an exploration of the darker side of humanity, where some people take pleasure in making others feel small. However, the song ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that those who are marginalized and excluded from society can still find light in life despite the negativity they face.
Line by Line Meaning
People who are sad - sometimes they wear a frown
People who feel unhappy may express their emotions through a sad facial expression.
And people who are kings - sometimes they wear a crown
Even though someone might be in a position of power, they are not immune to experiencing hardship.
People without love - sometimes build a fence around, The garden up above - that makes the whole world go 'round
People who have experienced a lack of love might feel the need to protect themselves from being hurt, but a world without love from one person to another is incomplete.
You may love your wife - you may lose your family, You may lose you mind - just to keep your sanity
Sometimes, in an attempt to maintain one's sanity, they may make sacrifices that cause them to lose what they love or even their own mental stability.
People that are glad - sometimes they wear a smile
People who are happy might express their emotions through a smile.
And people without dreams they walk the extra mile
People who lack a sense of purpose may still work hard to achieve their goals and responsibilities.
So cold, sometimes it gets so cold
Life can be difficult and bring about feelings of coldness and isolation.
But all the people who don't fit, Get the only fun they get, From people puttin' people down
Some people who feel out of place in society enjoy seeing others fail or be put down by their peers.
People puttin' people down
Some people take pleasure in belittling others.
From people puttin' people down, People puttin' people down
The act of putting others down can be a vicious cycle that continues until someone breaks it.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN E. PRINE, JOHN E PRINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
katherine hunter
John you can beat this COVID-19.
My prayers and heart go out to you.
" Heaven can Wait "....
You've been the soundtrack to my life since 1977.
When a cowboy country musician played "Angel from Montgomery " in our local bar.
I was sold, Hook line and sinker.
It seems like yesterday yet it's so far from today.
Now you're laying in a hospital fighting for your life and I cry and pray as I listen to your music all day.
Peace, love and health be with you Brother.
Please get well J.P.
✌💞🎶🙏
KEH 🇨🇦
katherine hunter
@Tim Henderson
You're right about it being hard. These are trying times for sure.
So glad you were able to hear about JP in the 90's. With any luck you'll be able to catch his live show when he recovers. I know I will be trying to see him when he beats this COVID-19.
All we can do now is pray and not let the BREAKING NEWS of the day get us done in anyway but it is getting hard after what Trump is saying to 3M today.
I'm personally praying we don't see things get REALLY ugly at the border between Canada and the USA.
Peace, love, health and prayers for us All.
We need to trust in HUMANITY now.
Not revert to a "LORD of The FLIES" scenario.
Tim Henderson please take care of yourself and your family and loved one.
We all need to stay civilized in times like these.
I huge hug from me to help you carry on being strong.
✌💞🎶⚖🙏
KEH 🇨🇦m
Eric Stoddart
John Prine was like a good friend to alot of people he didn't know
DylanDream
We just lost John Prine the greatest songwriter of our time his impact on the world will be felt infinitely
Jennifer Guichard
DylanDream ❤️❤️❤️
susun Que
Amazing how MUCH SO Many songs written and sang by John Prine have me thinking..🤔"yep! I CAN Relate to THAT!"..💯💞😏
God Blessed this Man with SO MUCH..Unique
T A L E N T!😃Thank you Jesus!!!☝️💯💞👏
John Prine IS a PRIME Example "LEGEND!"💯
WE say..Thank you for sharing it with the World!
You WON'T EVER be Forgotten!!! 😥😍😘🙋♀️
Brandon Dean
Indefinitely...
Stuart Parker
He was Dylan's favourite. Enough for me.
Lushie
His passing, the world lost a wonderful artist. Genuine nice guy
Only one John Prine
Kelly Joe Ray
He must have written this when he was hanging out with Steve Goodman and Kris Kristofferson...I hear both of their influence in this..Man what a powerful song...
Tammy Moon
One of my very favorites. Thank you so much!
katherine hunter
John you can beat this COVID-19.
My prayers and heart go out to you.
" Heaven can Wait "....
You've been the soundtrack to my life since 1977.
When a cowboy country musician played "Angel from Montgomery " in our local bar.
I was sold, Hook line and sinker.
It seems like yesterday yet it's so far from today.
Now you're laying in a hospital fighting for your life and I cry and pray as I listen to your music all day.
Peace, love and health be with you Brother.
Please get well J.P.
✌💞🎶🙏
KEH 🇨🇦