The song gained further fame with a duet recording by Prine and American singer Nanci Griffith on the latter's 1993 album Other Voices, Other Rooms and the release of the track as a single.
The song has been covered by many, notably Kim Carnes, who released it as a single from her 1988 album View from the House and by the English band Alabama 3 on their 1997 album Exile on Coldharbour Lane, as well as American singer/songwriter Jeffrey Foucault in 2009 on his Prine tribute album Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes. Scottish singer Roddy Woomble recorded a live version in 2014 on his album Live at Kings Place. Dave Matthews performed it live from his home studio as a tribute to Prine on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on April 9, 2020. The track also appears on the Kurt Vile ‘Speed, Sound, Lonely KV (ep)’ released in October 2020.
Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You come on big when you're feeling small
You come home straight and you come home curly
Sometimes you don't come home at all
Chorus:
So what in the world's come over you
And what in heaven's name have you done
You're out there running just to be on the run
Well I got a heart that burns with a fever
And I got a worried and a jealous mind
How can a love that'll last forever
Get left so far behind
Repeat Chorus:
It's a mighty mean and a dreadful sorrow
It's crossed the evil line today
Well, how can you ask about tomorrow
We ain't got one word to say
Repeat Chorus:
Ending:
You're out there running just to be on the run
You're out there running just to be on the run
You're out there running just to be on the run
The song "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" by John Prine is about the conflicting emotions that arise from a deteriorating relationship. The song starts with the singer describing how his partner comes home at odd hours of the day and sometimes doesn't come home at all. The chorus marvels at the sudden change in the attitude of the partner who used to be in love and now seems to be running away from the relationship. The partner has "broken the speed of the sound of loneliness" and is running away just for the sake of running.
The singer then professes his own love, describing how he has a heart that burns with a fever for his partner but also has a worried and jealous mind. He wonders how a love that was supposed to last forever is now so far behind. The final chorus talks about the sorrow that has descended on the relationship, and how neither partner has any words for the future. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the partner's desire to run away just for the sake of running.
Line by Line Meaning
You come home late and you come home early
You have unpredictable behavior and come home at odd hours.
You come on big when you're feeling small
You act overconfident when you're actually feeling insecure.
You come home straight and you come home curly
You change your appearance frequently without reason.
Sometimes you don't come home at all
You disappear without explanation.
Chorus: So what in the world's come over you And what in heaven's name have you done You've broken the speed of the sound of loneliness You're out there running just to be on the run
The artist is questioning the reason for the erratic behavior, which seems to be driven by a sense of loneliness and the need to escape.
Well I got a heart that burns with a fever
The singer feels intense emotions and passion.
And I got a worried and a jealous mind
The singer is anxious and possessive in relationships.
How can a love that'll last forever Get left so far behind
The artist is struggling to understand how long-lasting love can deteriorate so quickly due to one person's actions.
Repeat Chorus:
The artist reiterates the questions and observations from the chorus.
It's a mighty mean and a dreadful sorrow
The impact of the other person's actions is devastating and painful.
It's crossed the evil line today
The behavior has become unacceptable and has crossed a moral boundary.
Well, how can you ask about tomorrow
The artist is unsure of the future given the current situation.
We ain't got one word to say
There's nothing left to discuss or explain.
Repeat Chorus:
The singer reiterates the questions and observations from the chorus.
Ending: You're out there running just to be on the run You're out there running just to be on the run You're out there running just to be on the run
The other person is constantly seeking escape and the thrill of running away from what's bothering them.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: John E. Prine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thomasboyhan3224
After 3 tours in Viet Nam John Prine was one of my saviors. Kris Kristofferson and John Prine rescued me in a basement apartment in Buffalo, NY in 1973-74. Their words brought solace to my wounded soul and made me a better citizen of this country. Thank you both for your service...not in combat but in healing guys like me. The power of songwriters should never be underestimated. RIP Mate!
@williamknight5824
3 tours in Iraq. I completely understand
@suedem11
Holding you in my heart,Thomas Boyhan. I am of that time. Didn't serve,but lost classmates.
@kevinoconnell2978
I hope all is as well as it can be for you now, Thomas. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your pain and sacrifice and RIP to Mr Prine.
@chrisrussell63
Trump killed John Prine.
@arleneiardella9217
Thank you for your service and thank you God For John Prine......
@user-gy4du9kg3r
My wife and I in New Zealand had never heard of John Prine until he died and now he is a constant feature in our lives
@royjohnson465
I “also” had never heard of John Prine before, today is the first time I have ever heard him. Hello NZ, I am in Canada, I graduated from high school in the 1970s and I am a big 60’s & 70’s classic rock fan. I really hated John’s song called “Sam Stone”. >>This live song in the above video I do like as is a very good one and soothing<< but it is the same chorus over and over and over done, having way too much repetition with hardly no change ups is my only complaint. So I’ve only heard two songs of his so far, I’m gonna give it a chance on the third one now. Also, John Prine reminds me of Don Williams style of singing.
~ I just listen to a song called “Paradise” and I have come back here to comment. Yes a great song but then again just way too much excessive, excessive repetition, it’s not for me. Yes every song has some chorus repetition but John Prine’s songs are way, way overdone repetition in a far worse way. But not as bad as hip-hop, or cRap music which is even worse repetition.
@lornatremain3241
I hadn't heard of John until 2 weeks ago when RNZ played "I Remember Everything". We have missed out in NZ.
@happytoday333
Illegal smile is a great song.