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.
Pretty Good
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He sells used cars, ya know
Well, he calls me up twice a year
Just to ask me how'd it go
"Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain
But actually everything is just about the same"
I met a girl from Venus, her insides were lined in gold
She was politely told
"Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain
But actually everything is just about the same"
Moonlight makes me dizzy
Sunlight makes me clean
Your light is the sweetest thing
That this boy has ever seen
Molly went to Arkansas, she got raped by Dobbin's dog
Well, she was doing good 'til she went in the woods
And got pinned up against a log
Pretty good, not bad, she can't complain
'Cause actually all them dogs are just about the same
Moonlight makes me dizzy
Sunlight makes me clean
Your light is the sweetest thing
That this boy has ever seen
I heard Allah and Buddha were singing at the Savior's feast
And up in the sky an Arabian rabbi
Fed Quaker Oats to a priest
Pretty good, not bad, they can't complain
'Cause actually all them gods are just about the same
Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain
'Cause actually everything is just about the same
The song "Pretty Good" by John Prine satirizes the mundanity and mediocrity of everyday life. The singer has a friend who sells used cars and regularly calls to ask about his life, to which he always responds "pretty good, not bad, I can't complain, but actually everything is just about the same." This repetition highlights the sameness and monotony of his life. He also tells a story about a girl from Venus who he slept with and politely told her it was "pretty good, not bad." This adds to the theme that nothing is exceptional, even a person from another planet.
The second verse takes on a darker tone, as the singer tells a story about a woman who was raped by a dog in the woods. She too responds with "pretty good, not bad, she can't complain, 'cause actually all them dogs are just about the same." The use of humor and irony in this verse highlight the absurdity of the situation and how people often downplay their trauma to make others feel more comfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a friend in Fremont
I know someone in Fremont who sells used cars.
He calls me up twice a year just to ask me how'd it go
My friend from Fremont calls me twice a year just to ask how I'm doing.
"Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain
I'm doing pretty well, nothing to complain about.
But actually everything is just about the same"
But things in my life haven't really changed.
I met a girl from Venus, her insides were lined in gold
I once knew a woman from Venus who had a radiant aura.
Well, she did what she did, said "How was it, kid?"
After we were intimate, she asked me how I enjoyed it.
She was politely told
I replied politely.
Moonlight makes me dizzy
Moonlit nights make me feel lightheaded.
Sunlight makes me clean
Being in the sun makes me feel refreshed.
Your light is the sweetest thing
But your light is the most beautiful and comforting of all.
That this boy has ever seen
I have never experienced anything quite like it before.
Molly went to Arkansas, she got raped by Dobbin's dog
A woman named Molly was raped by a dog in Arkansas.
Well, she was doing good 'til she went in the woods
Molly was doing well until she went into the woods.
And got pinned up against a log
Where she was attacked and pinned to a log.
Pretty good, not bad, she can't complain
Molly is doing okay, not great but not complaining.
'Cause actually all them dogs are just about the same
Because all dogs are pretty much the same in their instincts and actions.
I heard Allah and Buddha were singing at the Savior's feast
I heard a story that Allah and Buddha attended a feast with the Savior.
And up in the sky an Arabian rabbi fed Quaker Oats to a priest
Apparently, an Arabian rabbi fed Quaker Oats to a priest while in the sky.
Pretty good, not bad, they can't complain
All of them are doing pretty well and not complaining.
'Cause actually all them gods are just about the same
Because all gods are pretty much the same in their essence and message.
Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain
Overall, I'm doing fine and don't have any major complaints.
'Cause actually everything is just about the same
Because my life hasn't really changed and is mostly consistent.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Prine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rkonarske
I got a friend in Fremont
He sells used cars, ya know
Well, he calls me up twice a year
Just ask me how'd it go
Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain
Actually everything is just about the same
I met a girl from Venus, and her insides were lined in gold
Well, she did what she did said "How was it, kid?"
She was politely told
"Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain
But actually everything is just about the same."
Moonlight makes me dizzy
Sunlight makes me clean
Your light is the sweetest thing
That this boy has ever seen
Molly went to Arkansas, she got raped by Dobbin's dog
Well, she was doing good till she went in the woods
And got pinned up against a log
Pretty good, not bad, she can't complain
Cause actually all them dogs is just about the same
Moonlight makes me dizzy
Sunlight makes me clean
Your light is the sweetest thing
That this boy has ever seen
I heard Allah and Buddha were singing at the Savior's feast
And up the sky and Arabian rabbi
Fed Quaker oats to a priest
Pretty good, not bad, they can't complain
Cause actually all them gods is just about the same
Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain
Cause actually everything is just about the same
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John Prine
Pretty Good lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc
@hamunderhill2062
saw prine open for arlo in new haven april 88 & m y mind was blown
a lot of vietnam conflict vets with requests for sam stone
seems like donald & lydia is the covid 19 love song now
Seemed like total silence was the only friend i had
-illegal smile
the rest is silence john but we the restless will keepliening
@TinShadowcat
Rest in Peace John. You were pretty good.
@TheCensoredName
not bad
@jennings992
I cant complain
@hondo6025
But actually everything just about the same.
@kodiboyd6655
Moonlight makes me dizzy
@brycecakes1ify
Sunlight makes me plain
@loscrimefighter1899
I think we should pick a time, and everybody on earth should crank this up.
RIP John, "thanks" isnt nearly enough for all the music you gave us, all the joy you brought us.
There will never be another like you. 😥
@lynntaylor4501
First heard this song when I was in my 20 s
I'm 78 now but I still listen. It gives you a perspective on life.
@joshalynnsegura8876
I'm so glad i had the pleasure of experiencing John Prine live. One of my favorite concerts.
@amandaweekly2459
Once I went . I never missed a close show again!✌