Simpson was born in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky, the only child of a secretary and a state policeman who formerly worked undercover narcotics. Due to his father's work, Simpson's family moved to Versailles, outside Lexington, where Simpson graduated from Woodford County High School. Simpson's mother's family were coal miners. Simpson is the first male on his mother's side of the family to not work in a strip mine or deep mine. After three years in the United States Navy, Simpson spent time in Japan, then lived in Everett, Washington, and then moved back home to Lexington, Kentucky.
As of August 2017, he has released three albums as a solo artist. He released two albums independently, High Top Mountain in 2013 and Metamodern Sounds in Country Music in 2014. His second album is notable for being nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, being listed 18th on Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2014," and also being named among "NPR's 50 Favorite Albums of 2014." His third studio album, A Sailor's Guide to Earth, was released on Atlantic Records and was Simpson's first major-label release, later earning him Best Country Album at the 59th Grammy Awards while also being nominated for Album of the Year.
Simpson is often compared to Waylon Jennings and the Outlaw Country genre of country music. Shooter Jennings says, "Sturgill isn't imitating at all, and he sounds like my favorite era of my dad, the Seventies, when he would sing quieter and more conversational. That's what struck me about Sturgill from Day One. And still does." Simpson himself counts Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Keith Whitley, and Marty Robbins as much bigger influences on his sound than Waylon Jennings. Simpson has also stated he tries to base his career around that of Dwight Yoakam. Indeed, Country Music Television noted that Simpson had "a voice that recalls Merle Haggard [and] guitar licks that bring Buck Owens to mind." His overall sound was described by Indiewire as "a mesmerizing and sometimes bewildering mix of traditional country sounds, contemporary philosophy, and psychedelic recording-studio wizardry.
Prologue
Sturgill Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear a story from the year they started hiding stills
Back in pioneering days of 1862
About a maiden named Juanita, and a man called Dood
Story of it's time, when time was tough on a man
When all he had to get by was a pail and powder can
Ol' Dude was an eagle eye, Juanita was his love
He was a mighty mountain man, she was his one true love
The lyrics to Sturgill Simpson's song, "Prologue," tell a story of a past era, a tale of love and adventure set amidst the hills of old Kentucky. The song is a narrative ballad that captures the listener’s attention from the start. It begins with an invitation to hear a tale before recounting a story of a couple named Juanita and Dood. The song is set in the year 1862, and it's a story of two lovers who faced challenges of the time. Dood was a mountain man. He relied on his eagle eye and survival instincts to survive. Powder can and pail were his only means of support. Juanita was his one true love. Despite the struggles of the pioneering days, Dood's love for Juanita prevailed, and he remained dedicated to her.
The song's lyrics are a reflection of a time when life was challenging, and people did what they had to do to survive. The theme of the song is that love is the one thing that can overcome all obstacles. It is a song that paints a picture of the harsh reality of life in Kentucky in 1862, where survival was dependent on one's ability to hunt and gather. In contrast to the harsh reality, the song highlights the beauty of love and how it can survive and elevate individuals above their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Come hear a tale, that awful trails of old Kentucky hills
Listen intently as I recount a story of trials and tribulations in the hills of Kentucky.
Hear a story from the year they started hiding stills
Listen to an account from the year when people began to hide illegal stills.
Back in pioneering days of 1862
Reflect on the pioneering days of the year 1862.
About a maiden named Juanita, and a man called Dood
This tale centers on a woman named Juanita and her lover referred to as Dood.
Story of it's time, when time was tough on a man
This tale depicts the difficult times men faced during this era.
When all he had to get by was a pail and powder can
In those challenging times, the only means of sustenance a man could rely on was a pail and a container of gunpowder.
Ol' Dude was an eagle eye, Juanita was his love
Dood was an expert marksman while Juanita was the love of his life.
He was a mighty mountain man, she was his one true love
Dood was a force to reckon with in the mountains, while Juanita was the love he cherished the most.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Sturgill Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind