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.
Sweet Revenge
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I turn my cheek to unkind remarks
There was two of everything
But one of me
And when the rains came tumbling down
I held my breath and I stood my ground
And I watched that ship go sailing
Out to sea
Take it back
Take it back
Oh no, you can't say that
All of my friends
Are not dead or in jail
Through rock and through stone
The black wind still moans
Sweet revenge
Sweet revenge
Without fail
I caught an aisle seat on a plane
And drove an English teacher half insane
Making up jokes about bicycle spokes
And red balloons
So I called up my local deejay
And he didn't have a lot to say
But the radio
Has learned all of my favorite tunes
Take it back
Take it back
Oh no, you can't say that
All of my friends
Are not dead or in jail
Through rock and through stone
The black wind still moans
Sweet revenge
Sweet revenge
Without fail
The white meat is on the run
And the dark meat is far too done
And the milkman left me a note yesterday (yesterday)
Get out of this town by noon (get out)
You're coming on way too soon (right now)
And besides that
We never liked you any way
Take it back
Take it back
Oh no, you can't say that
All of my friends
Are not dead or in jail
Through rock and through stone
The black wind still moans
Sweet revenge
Sweet revenge
Without fail
Sweet revenge
Sweet revenge
Will prevail
Without fail
John Prine's Sweet Revenge is a song about a man who has been kicked out of somewhere he wants to be. The opening line is "I got kicked off Noah’s Ark," which is a metaphor for being drenched in a flood of emotion, whether it’s heartbreak, anger or some other turmoil. He is trying to cope with the situation and to prove his point. He stands apart from the crowd, one of a kind, and has nowhere to go. When others are mocking him, he turns the other cheek and asserts himself. The song conveys a sense of defiance to those who are opposing him. It suggests that he refuses to be defeated by anyone or anything.
Throughout the song, the singer affirms his individuality, and the chorus emphasizes the power of 'sweet revenge.' The lyrics speak to his ability to succeed and conquer, and to reject others' belittlement of him. The song celebrates self-worth, a sense of purpose, and the unwavering belief that there is always a way to succeed, even if it means taking revenge. The song is simultaneously melancholic and humorous. It speaks of thwarted dreams, the pain of rejection, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I got kicked off of Noah's Ark
I was excluded from something that was supposed to be all-inclusive
I turn my cheek to unkind remarks
I choose to forgive those who insult me and not retaliate
There was two of everything
There was exactly what was needed, no more no less
But one of me
I was left out or alone, different from the rest
And when the rains came tumbling down
When things got tough and chaotic
I held my breath and I stood my ground
I stayed strong and didn't back down
And I watched that ship go sailing
I watched as others moved on or succeeded without me
Out to sea
Into the unknown future, away from me
Take it back
Recant your statement or action
Oh no, you can't say that
You can't speak or do something hurtful without consequence
All of my friends
The people dear to me
Are not dead or in jail
They are well and safe
Through rock and through stone
Against all odds and challenges
The black wind still moans
The difficult times still linger
Sweet revenge
The satisfaction of success or vindication over those who wronged me
Without fail
Always, no matter what obstacle comes my way
I caught an aisle seat on a plane
I secured a convenient spot for myself
And drove an English teacher half insane
I disrupted the peaceful environment with my antics
Making up jokes about bicycle spokes
I found humor in something insignificant
And red balloons
And something completely random
So I called up my local deejay
I requested a song from someone in control
And he didn't have a lot to say
They were not impressed or interested in me
But the radio
But that media source
Has learned all of my favorite tunes
Has catered to my interests and preferences
The white meat is on the run
The more privileged are evading responsibility
And the dark meat is far too done
The less privileged are overworked and exhausted
And the milkman left me a note yesterday (yesterday)
Someone left a message or warning for me
Get out of this town by noon (get out)
Leave this place immediately
You're coming on way too soon (right now)
You are entering or trying to pursue this too hastily
And besides that
And to add another piece of evidence
We never liked you any way
They never had positive regard for me
Sweet revenge
That gratification again
Will prevail
Will succeed, and the victory will be mine
Without fail
Always and every time, no exception
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Prine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind