The PPL ultimately located itself in Columbus, Ohio (sixty miles north of Waverly), and the group had its first success in Cincinnati. The original stage band was made up of Fuller, McGrail, Powell, Phil Stokes on bass, and Robin Suskind on guitar and mandola. His steel guitar greatly improved on the guys' country songs and sparked hot guitar duels with Fuller that contributed greatly to the 'fusion' ethos of the band, its signature sound.
PPL’s biggest hits include Fuller’s country classic, "Amie", a piece released in 1972 that still attracts major airplay today due to its smooth, emotional sound. Some of their other tracks are “Two Lane Highway” and the musically less-representative pop song "Let Me Love You Tonight", which was composed by Jeff Wilson, Dan Greer, and Steve Woodard. Vince Gill, later to become one of Nashville’s biggest solo stars, sang and played guitar with the band in the early 80s and recorded a revised version of "Amie" for their greatest hits album.
In the late 90s, PPL was back with a lineup of Fuller, Connor, Reilly, Burr, Fats Kaplin (pedal steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, accordion, washboard) and Rich Schell (vocals, drums, percussion). After two years, in June 2000, Burr was succeeded by Curtis Wright (vocals, guitars). The group began work on a new album in 2002, but abandoned the sessions and separated once again (probably due to the illness of Connor). Connor died on September 9th, 2004 after a long battle with cancer.
Following Connor's death, the group resumed touring once more in 2004 with Fuller, Reilly, Schell, Wright and Kaplin (when available), and released All in Good Time in 2005, their first album in 18 years. This release appeared on the small Drifter's Church label.
Since this time, PPL have continued to tour playing a handful of shows every year. Reilly was unable to continue in 2006 after he was forced to undergo a liver transplant. Jack Sundrud (from Poco) came in to sub for Reilly, and Rick Plant also briefly did a stint on bass (before relocating to Australia in late 2006). Sundrud then returned. Reilly appeared at a few shows in May 2007, playing guitar, but was unable to come back full-time until 2008. Jeff "Stick" Davis (from Amazing Rhythm Aces) sat in on bass for Mike in 2007. Call played some concerts in 2006 & 2007, standing in for Kaplin, and Donnie Clark replaced Curtis Wright in 2006, after Wright joined Reba McEntire's band.
A fourteenth album was released in 2006, composed primarily of Craig Fuller songs, an echo of their very first album back in 1971.
Louise
Pure Prairie League Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't seem to recomember a thing
Where's Louise did she come home alright
I lost my wallet and my new diamond ring
Woah Louise baby please won't you talk to me
You know I'm not a beggin', man
But you got me down on my knees
You know I don't know what I did
But I know it ain't good
Won't somebody tell me what it was I did last night
Well the last thing I remember
I was down on Union street
I was having a drink with some girlfriends of Louise
One said, hey baby let's give it a shot
She said, just show me what you got,
Baby I hear that you're hot
Won't somebody tell me what it was I did last night
Well won't somebody tell me what I did last night
I can't seem to remember a thing
Where's Louise did she come home alright
She's got my wallet and my new diamond ring
Woah Louise baby please won't you talk to me
You know I'm not a beggin' man
But you got me down on my knees
Hey baby come on let's give it a go
You know I bet you to win and you did not even show
Won't somebody tell me what it was I did last night
Now will somebody tell me what it was I did last night
The song "Louise" by Pure Prairie League depicts the story of a man who cannot remember what he did the previous night, and he is filled with regret and guilt. He lost his wallet and a new diamond ring, and he's worried about Louise, who he assumes is also involved in the situation. The man is pleading to Louise, praying that she could give him some insight into what he did last night. The lyrics reveal a person suffering from the after-effects of a drink but unable to recall the choices made.
Throughout the song, the singer feels embarrassed and sorry for his actions, even though he does not know what he did wrong. He is seen begging Louise to tell him, promising he'll apologize, and asking for forgiveness. The song gives a glimpse into the feeling of shame, guilt, and regret that follows an action that one can't even recall.
Overall, "Louise" is a popular classic rock song that tells a story about the consequences of excessive drinking, and it shows the importance of making responsible choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Well won't somebody tell me what I did last night
The singer is asking for information about their actions from the previous night.
I can't seem to recomember a thing
The singer cannot remember their actions from the previous night.
Where's Louise did she come home alright
The singer is concerned about Louise's well-being and whereabouts after the previous night.
I lost my wallet and my new diamond ring
The artist realizes they have lost valuable possessions, likely due to their actions the previous night.
Woah Louise baby please won't you talk to me
The artist is pleading with Louise to communicate with them and shed light on the events of the previous night.
You know I'm not a beggin', man
The singer is not usually one to beg or plead for information.
But you got me down on my knees
The gravity of the situation has humbled the singer and made them desperate to know more.
Gee I would apologize if I only could
The artist recognizes their actions were likely inappropriate or harmful and would apologize if they could remember what they did.
You know I don't know what I did
The artist is admitting their complete lack of knowledge about their actions from the previous night.
But I know it ain't good
The artist senses that their actions from the previous night were negative or upsetting in some way.
Well the last thing I remember
The singer's memory is hazy and the last thing they recall is what follows in the next line.
I was down on Union street
The artist remembers being on Union street at some point in the previous night.
I was having a drink with some girlfriends of Louise
The singer recalls being out with friends of Louise at some point in the previous night.
One said, hey baby let's give it a shot
One of the friends of Louise suggested doing something or trying something new.
She said, just show me what you got,
The same friend challenged the singer to demonstrate their abilities or skills.
Baby I hear that you're hot
The friend is aware of the artist's reputation or attractiveness.
Hey baby come on let's give it a go
The friend is encouraging the artist to try something with them.
You know I bet you to win and you did not even show
The friend is disappointed that the singer did not fulfill their expectations or potential.
Now will somebody tell me what it was I did last night
The singer is still desperate for information about their actions from the previous night.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: MICHAEL REILLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind