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.
The Sins of Memphisto
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the Count of Monte Cristo
Nothing can stop
Nothing can stop
Nothing can stop
The sins of Memphisto
Sally used to play with her hula hoops
Grampa's on the front lawn staring at a rake
Wondering if his marriage was a terrible mistake
I'm sitting on the front steps drinking orange crush
Wondering if it's possible if I could still blush
Uh huh, oh yeah
A boy on a bike with corduroy slacks
Sleeps in the river by the railroad tracks
He waits for the whistle on the train to scream
So he can close his eyes and begin to dream
Uh huh, oh yeah
The hands on his watch spin slowly around
With his mind on a bus that goes all over town
Looking at the babies and the factories
And listening to the music of Mister Squeeze
As if by magic or remote control
He finds a piece of a puzzle
That he missed in his soul
Uh huh, oh yeah
Adam and Eve and Lucy and Ricky
Bit the big apple and got a little sticky
Esmeralda and the Hunchback of Notre Dame
They humped each other like they had no shame
They paused as they posed for a Polaroid photo
She whispered in his ear "Exactly Odo Quasimoto"
The song "Sins of Memphisto" by John Prine is a satirical take on American culture and society. The song is a commentary on the idea that no matter what we do or where we go, we cannot escape the sins of our past or present. The lyrics refer to various characters and situations, including Sally who no longer plays with hula hoops and instead seeks help from therapy groups. Grandpa is also referenced, questioning his marriage and his life's decisions. The song talks about a boy on a bike who sleeps by the railroad tracks and dreams of a better life. The lyrics use these characters to symbolize different aspects of American life, such as social pressure, disillusionment, and inequality.
The refrain "Nothing can stop the sins of Memphisto" represents the idea that no matter what we do, our past actions and mistakes will always be with us. The song suggests that American society is plagued by such sins, as represented by the different characters mentioned in the lyrics. Prine uses irony and wit to emphasize these themes, as evidenced by the comical references to Adam and Eve, Lucy and Ricky, and Esmarelda and Quasimodo.
Line by Line Meaning
From the bells of St Mary
No matter how holy and powerful an institution or person is, they cannot prevent the sins of Memphisto.
To the Count of Monte Cristo
Even the singer from the novel who seeks revenge cannot stop the sins of Memphisto.
Nothing can stop
The sins of Memphisto are unstoppable and inevitable.
The sins of Memphisto
Refers to the wicked and immoral behaviour that is prevalent in society.
Sally used to play with her hula hoops
Sally used to be carefree and playful.
Now she tells her problems to therapy groups
Sally is now struggling with her mental health and seeks help from therapy groups.
Grampa's on the front lawn staring at a rake
Grampa is feeling lost and unfulfilled in his life.
Wondering if his marriage was a terrible mistake
Grampa is questioning whether his marriage was a wrong decision.
I'm sitting on the front steps drinking orange crush
The artist is also feeling lost and is trying to cope with his situation by drinking.
Wondering if it's possible if I could still blush
The artist is questioning whether he can still feel the emotions he once had.
A boy on a bike with corduroy slacks
A child who is unassuming and ordinary.
Sleeps in the river by the railroad tracks
The child has to resort to sleeping in the river by the tracks because of his circumstances.
He waits for the whistle on the train to scream
The child hopes for a way out of his difficult life.
So he can close his eyes and begin to dream
He dreams of a better future.
The hands on his watch spin slowly around
Time seems to be moving slowly, making the child's wait for a better future more challenging.
With his mind on a bus that goes all over town
He envisions a brighter future that he can escape to.
Looking at the babies and the factories
While envisioning a better future, he is also aware of the harsh reality around him.
And listening to the music of Mister Squeeze
The child is finding comfort in music, which helps him cope with his reality.
As if by magic or remote control
The child stumbles upon a revelation that will change his perspective on life.
He finds a piece of a puzzle
He discovers a crucial piece of information.
That he missed in his soul
This information has been lacking in the child's life, and he needed it to move forward.
Adam and Eve and Lucy and Ricky
Famous couples with controversial stories from history and media.
Bit the big apple and got a little sticky
All of these couples faced consequences that stained their reputation or their lives.
Esmeralda and the Hunchback of Notre Dame
Characters from a novel who were excluded by society because of their physical appearance.
They humped each other like they had no shame
Esmeralda and the Hunchback of Notre Dame found solace in each other despite what others thought.
They paused as they posed for a Polaroid photo
They took a moment to capture and remember their happiness.
She whispered in his ear 'Exactly Odo Quasimoto'
They found innocent nicknames for each other that were symbolic of how they are perceived by others.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: John E Prine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Blue-xb2xr
Missing you John.....more than San Diego memories....rest in peace your way ..smiles
@jinnyroesch7799
My favorite song from him.. Such a treasure of mine.. Mr. Prine. Truly my favorite musician. Hands down..rest in peace Mr. Prine..
@chrismaxine1
what can i say ,only john prine name ,one of a kind !!!! very best as always, thanks!!!.
@ivannovotny4552
Never disappointing, thank you for sharing.
@ttwillow9073
I adore all the songs on this album. I bought the CD years ago. Well spent purchase!
@pikeman80
My favourite song on this album.
@VixeyVille
One of my favorites period. Nice choice
@captinbeyond
Wore this cassette out when it came out. I think it was one of his best..along with New Train Lp. I sure enjoyed me some John Prine music over the decades.
@pattyhopping8828
Too bad loosing u to corona. I always loved ur music
@jeffturner5182
Glad I found this tune, albeit kind of late, but I’m thankful I hear it.