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John Edward Prine (/ p r aɪ n /; October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for his signature blend of humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, often with elements of social commentary and ...
Learn about the life and legacy of John Prine, a two time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and folk icon. Explore his latest playlist, news, and shop for official merchandise.
John Prine has always been described as an old soul and his best songs reflect that. While he never notched a solo hit near the top of Billboard airplay or s...
As a Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member and a PEN New England Lyrics Award recipient, whose classic debut album, John Prine, is recognized as part of the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Hall of...
- 4 min
- Jonathan Bernstein,Jon Dolan,Patrick Doyle,Christian Hoard,Joseph Hudak
- “Angel From Montgomery” (1971) Prine’s most widely known song is an indelible portrait of “a middle-aged woman who feels older than she is.” The song’s stripped-down country-rock arrangement belied the intricacy of Prine’s lyrics, which home in on details like the flies buzzing around the kitchen sink and the rodeo poster that sends her into a reverie of youthful recollection, and its matter-of-fact description of marital stasis and midlife depression were groundbreakingly real.
- “Illegal Smile” (1971) The opening track to Prine’s self-titled 1971 debut, “Illegal Smile” became an anthem for weed-smokers — despite the songwriter claiming it wasn’t really about that.
- “Spanish Pipedream” (1971) There’s a lot of advice in Prine’s tale about a soldier and a topless dancer who run off together to live the good life. For starters: blow up your TV, throw away your paper, go to the country, build you a home.
- “Paradise” (1971) A sentimental recollection of home that’s also an unsparing description of predatory capitalist devastation, “Paradise” is Prine’s ode to the tiny mining town in Western Kentucky where his parents met.
Apr 7, 2020 · John Prine, the Grammy-winning singer who combined literary genius with a common touch, has died at 73 from the coronavirus.
Apr 8, 2020 · John Prine, a wry and perceptive writer whose songs often resembled vivid short stories, died Tuesday in Nashville from complications related to COVID-19. His death was confirmed by his...
