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.
When Two Worlds Collide
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we couldn't be close, though we tried
We both reached for heavens, but ours weren't the same
That's what happens when two worlds collide
Your world was made up of things sweet and good
My world could never fit in, I wish it could
Two hearts lie in shambles and oh, how they've cried
Your world was made up of things sweet and good
My world could never fit in, I wish it could
Two hearts lie in shambles and oh, how they've cried
That's what happens when two worlds collide
That's what happens when two worlds collide
The lyrics of John Prine & Trisha Yearwood's song "When Two Worlds Collide" describe the heartbreak and disappointment that can occur when two people with vastly different backgrounds and experiences try to form a relationship. The singer acknowledges that despite their best efforts to understand each other, they were never truly able to bridge the gap between their two worlds. They both longed for happiness and fulfillment, but their paths were fundamentally divergent. The repeated line "That's what happens when two worlds collide" underscores the inevitability of their separation.
The first stanza of the song highlights the contrasting natures of the two individuals. They both desired spiritual growth, but looked to different sources to achieve it. The phrase "we both reached for heavens, but ours weren't the same" suggests that while they shared a goal, their approaches to achieving it were vastly different. The second stanza further emphasizes the incompatibility between the two worlds. The singer acknowledges that in the other person's world, there were many things that were "sweet and good," but they could never truly merge their worlds together. The final chorus repeats the idea that the collision of two incompatible worlds inevitably results in heartbreak and emotional pain.
Overall, "When Two Worlds Collide" is a poignant and reflective exploration of the challenges that can arise when two people with different backgrounds and experiences attempt to build a meaningful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Your world was so different from mine, don't you see
Our experiences and perspectives are vastly different, and it's significant to acknowledge that.
And we couldn't be close, though we tried
Even though we attempted to connect, there were still barriers preventing us from becoming close.
We both reached for heavens, but ours weren't the same
We both strived for the best, but our vision of an ideal life and goals were dissimilar.
That's what happens when two worlds collide
When different worlds meet, there's often a mismatch of expectations and misunderstandings about values, leading to tension or trouble.
Your world was made up of things sweet and good
Your life was composed of positive experiences and people, which isn't congruent with mine.
My world could never fit in, I wish it could
Although I appreciated and wanted to participate in your world, it just didn't match with my personality or lifestyle.
Two hearts lie in shambles and oh, how they've cried
Our emotions have been heavily impacted by what happened between us, and there's pain and heartbreak on both sides.
That's what happens when two worlds collide
Again, it's reiterating that a collision between two incompatible realms can result in sadness and miscommunication.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roger Miller, Bill Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Xine999
These two together are sheer delight!
GNM109
Two wonderful performers. RIP Mr. Prine. I loved you with Iris.
toby dog
There have been few singer songwriters that move me, but John's passing impacted me deeply. Thankfully we have his songs,
Deckie Deckie
Iris DeMent had a very special voice.....loved it!!......no other singer got together so well w/John Prine (Mi pinion)
RA Dawson
In my humble opinion, Iris made John, and he made her, more. Such perfect harmony☯️
Rick Freeman
I've been trying to figure out how to say that ... thank you.
MARK G
John was already made He didn't need her
rod bertelsen
@MARK G SAD - she enhance his work
Kerry Wilsmore
How good are these two, they complement each other, the rough and the sweet.
Ruth Boykin
Love the two of you! In Spite of Ourselves is my favorite!