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.
That
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"That's the way that the world goes round"
I know a guy that's got a lot to lose
He's a pretty nice fellow but he's kind of confused
He's got muscles in his head that ain't never been used
Thinks he owns half of this town
Beats his old lady with a rubber hose
Then he takes her out to dinner and buys her new clothes
That's the way that the world goes 'round
That's the way that the world goes 'round
You're up one day and the next you're down
It's half an inch of water and you think you're gonna drown
That's the way that the world goes 'round
I was sitting in the bathtub counting my toes
When the radiator broke, water all froze
I got stuck in the ice without my clothes
Naked as the eyes of a clown
I was crying ice cubes hoping I'd croak
When the sun come through the window, the ice all broke
I stood up and laughed thought it was a joke
That's the way that the world goes 'round
That's the way that the world goes 'round
You're up one day and the next you're down
It's half an inch of water and you think you're gonna drown
That's the way that the world goes 'round
That's the way that the world goes 'round
You're up one day and the next you're down
It's half an inch of water and you think you're gonna drown
That's the way that the world goes 'round
That's the way that the world goes 'round
That's the way that the world goes 'round
The lyrics to John Prine's song "That's the Way the World Goes Round" are meant to reflect the chaotic and unpredictable nature of life. The first line, "I got glue on my string," can be interpreted as a metaphor for being stuck in a rut or having things go wrong unexpectedly. The following line, "That's the way that the world goes round," suggests that these kinds of setbacks are a normal part of life.
The song goes on to tell the story of a man who seems to be struggling with his own demons, causing him to lash out at his wife and engage in self-destructive behavior. Despite this, however, the man is also shown to be capable of moments of kindness and generosity, such as when he takes his wife out to dinner and buys her new clothes. Through these contrasting actions, the song suggests that even those who seem to have it all figured out are often just as lost as the rest of us.
The lyrics are filled with absurdist imagery, such as the singer getting stuck in the ice without his clothes and crying ice cubes. These surreal details serve to underscore the song's overall theme of the unpredictability of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I got glue on my string
I made a mistake, something went wrong, and now I'm stuck with the consequences
That's the way that the world goes round
Life is unpredictable and full of surprises, both good and bad
I know a guy that's got a lot to lose
I have a friend who has a lot of potential but is struggling to find their way
He's a pretty nice fellow but he's kind of confused
Despite his good intentions, my friend often finds himself unsure of what to do or how to proceed
He's got muscles in his head that ain't never been used
My friend is intelligent, but doesn't always know how to apply his knowledge or make the right decisions
Thinks he owns half of this town
My friend has an over-inflated sense of his own importance or ability
Starts drinking heavy, gets a big red nose
When things get tough or overwhelming, my friend turns to alcohol to numb his emotions
Beats his old lady with a rubber hose
My friend becomes abusive towards those closest to him when he's feeling frustrated and out of control
Then he takes her out to dinner and buys her new clothes
My friend tries to make up for his bad behavior with material possessions, rather than addressing the root issues
That's the way that the world goes 'round
Life is full of contradictions and none of us are perfect
You're up one day and the next you're down
Life is unpredictable and can change in an instant, whether for better or for worse
It's half an inch of water and you think you're gonna drown
Sometimes a seemingly small problem can feel overwhelming and insurmountable
I was sitting in the bathtub counting my toes
I was lost in my own thoughts, distracted from the present moment
When the radiator broke, water all froze
Something unexpected happened that disrupted my peaceful state of mind
I got stuck in the ice without my clothes
I was vulnerable and exposed, without any protection or security
Naked as the eyes of a clown
I felt foolish and embarrassed, like a performer without their mask
I was crying ice cubes hoping I'd croak
I felt hopeless and overwhelmed, wishing for an end to my suffering
When the sun come through the window, the ice all broke
A glimmer of hope emerged, and the situation started to improve
I stood up and laughed thought it was a joke
I found humor in the situation and was able to laugh at my misfortune
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: John E Prine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johncausey9859
I've suffered from depression most of my life. Thank God I found John Prine's music/poetry. He's better than any pill or shrink as far as I'm concerned.
@misfit123abc
John Causey Indeed. You are not alone.
@trishyork-gillett4777
You also might find the work Dr. Amen of Brain Health MD helpful
@notgoingdownwithoutafight1606
He saved m a lot of stress
@davidpinney2474
I agree 100% the complete gratitude of contentment when I listen to him
@bricatguy140
I hear ya, John.
@karenwatson4153
R.I.P. Dear John… your music is timeless and you are sorely missed down here on earth!!😊
@karenwatson9945
I will listen to John Prine’s music for the rest of my life and have successfully passed that torch to my own children and grandkids… we all enjoy his ballads. The world is a sadder place for having lost this amazing talent. R.I.P. John Prine gone but never forgotten
@markclifford1857
Hello 👋 Karen. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Mark Clifford and am from Denver Colorado, where are you from? You seem like a real country girl
@Nlcrain
No