Songwriter Iris Dement wrote this about John Prine: “Because he cared enough to look - at me, you, all of us - until he saw what was noble, and then he wrapped us up in melodies and sung us back to ourselves.” That sums it up for me.
Please don't appologize for crying. If the simple beauty of this song does not touch your heart and bring a tear to your eye then in my opinion you don't get it. I was crying before he started singing. And I've heard this song 50 times or more. I'm 64, single & lonely. While this song is definately tinged with sadness, it's also just so beautiful in its simplicity and truthfulness. The combination of these things makes my cry, but also brings me joy because it's so perfectly articulated. Thank you for the reaction. I loved it. ❤
He wrote it in his EARLY 20’s. John Prine was one of a kind, with the ability to say more in a single line than others could in an entire song. And his writing was always in a universally understandable and relatable manner. He is very sorely missed.
I write poetry and when I hear song writers like John Prine, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne and Harry Chapin just to name a few I am humbled by their incredible ability to masterfully tell stories. They have a way of being able to touch our emotions, whether with joy or sadness by using words and phrases that reach deep within us and stir our soul. I always find them to be very inspiring. Thank you for your very authentic reactions, I love to see others appreciate great song writing and performance.
As you know by now John Prine was a master of lyricism. This song is powerful in its description of what it can be like to grow old and then see the pictures of your life slide by in your mind - so touching and personal. Another beautiful reaction. R.I.P. Mr. Prine - we miss you.
This is a touching song. I am a much older man, but I am blessed to still have my wife of 50 years with me. I did hard physical work most of my life, and I have had many broken bones and serious injuries while working as an electrical lineman. I can now definitely relate to all the physical pain I feel each day, but I couldn't handle being lonely after all these years. You two have beautiful hearts and souls and are really in touch with the feelings and emotions of others.
I love John Prine, I know every song I have ever heard him sing I know by heart. Got to see him 6 or 7 times some of them in very intimate spaces, each time was so special. He is missed.
I keep telling you, John Prine was among the greatest singer/songwriters lyricists ever. It's like he knew me better than anyone and could write a song that helped me heal or move on. The closest thing to godlike in his humble way.
Absolutely love John Prine. ❤He had so much empathy and that comes through in his songwriting. He also had a great sense of humour and that comes through as well.
What a beautiful reaction. Last year, my wife was diagnosed with lung cancer and I was devastated at the thought of being on my own after 45 years. I was terribly depressed and felt the darkness and loneliness wrapping around me. I had never thought of our relationship ending in all the years we have been together and it never occurred to me that all married couples have to face the fact that nothing lasts forever. Watching your reaction to this song showed me how much you mean to each other and my heart was aching that one day you will also have to say goodbye to each other. By the way, after 11 months of chemotherapy and fighting the cancer, I'm pleased to say she won the battle and is now cancer free. Unfortunately, three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. I still don't know how bad mine is but I hope we don't have to go through the same battle all over again.
Glad to hear that your wife is better. I lost mine last year to Dementia after 42years. Now she can be there for you to heal with. I know the thought of loneliness starts with the unknown future so stay strong with each other.
Souvenirs is a great one to check out next. Grandpa was a carpenter, please don't bury me, up on bear Creek are more of my favorites from John 👍 I really enjoy watching your reactions,you two are so blessed to have each other. Thanks from the USA.
John did add, in some performances, "Please don't just go and harass your elderly neighbors because they may not want it." Don't do it for you, do it for them.
You both deserve a BIG hug. Something to consider, visit a care facility to see someone. Doesn't really matter if you know them. Validate thier existence!
This made me cry...again. We run a free soup cafe, but the main thing we 'serve' is community, especially for the elderly who come and talk to each other and to all sorts of other folks who come through. Loneliness can be worse than hunger
Love you two! And he wrote that quickly in the way to an open mic night. Glad you may be doing more Prine. M6 favorite story teller of all time. Once heard him described as having the ability to "Express complex human emotions, simply." And ability to provide such details to the story make the picture he is painting so universally real. Tru Souvenirs, and Sam Stone from this same show. He does light hearted as well, after he makes you cry. Do Summers End followed by When I Get to Heaven.
I am so glad that you have found and get John Prine, He has changed my life and has been an inspiration to me all these years. If you want to hear the fun side of him you should try "In Spite of Ourselves" or "Linda went to Mars" . Beautiful reaction....
LAZY SUMMER DAYS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, WE WOULD SIT AROUND N HAVE JOHN PRINE SING ALONGS. DOMINIQUE, WHEN YOU GO TO SEE UR GRANDMAMA, YOU CAN TELL HER ABOUT ALL THE GREAT MUSIC YOU HAVE DISCOVERED. WAS EMOTIONAL RIGHT ALONG WITH YOU JUST NOW. 👏🖖
John Prine the master of simplicity, he will take you on journey's, make you cry, fill your tummy with laughter, make you think. He wrote so every which one of us understood. A major loss when John decided to go fishing in heaven. God bless you John for leaving us some of your gigantic talent. have a listen to Fish and whistle.
Love and miss John Prine. Life is short. Everyone who is young will be old, and they will be old before they know it. It's typical human behavior to shoot ourselves in the foot. Every single thing done in society to minimize the value of the old is minimizing ourselves.
Another song from this, his first album, that stands out is Angel from Montgomery. There are many covers of John's recording, maybe the best is the version by Bonnie Raitt, but John's version -- in which he sings from the perspective of a depressed housewife -- is still incredible. It is amazing is how this 20-something year old put together such a wonderful collection of songs that seem to have emerged from the souls of people who don't look at all like John Prine. An elderly couple, a heroin addicted veteran, a middle-aged woman tired of her life, a young shut-in girl longing to live a real life.
I love this song but it always makes me choke up. You guys would really like Spanish Pipe Dream. It’s a lot more upbeat and quite funny. Or for another tear jerker there’s Sam Stone.
John Prine is Americana, much like Woody Guthrie. I've had the pleasure of seeing him perform several times. I grew up in Chicago and knew of him early on in his career. One interesting note to share: Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) was asked which musicians he likes to listen to and he answered that he doesn't often listen to other musicians, except John Prine.
I just moved to the Ozarks, an area I know John liked to go fishing. I'm going to find myself a big old oak tree next to the Buffalo River and play this song on my guitar (and try and sing it).
Thanks for the great reaction. John was so amazing. I really think you guys might like No Hard Feelings by the Avett Brothers. They are big fans of John and really great song writers like John was.
Thank you for reacting to "Hello in There". I should have said in my message to immediately go and listen to Prine's "In Spite of Ourselves" with Iris Dement, a song that will make you laugh. 'Hello" is such a poignant song and I still get teary eyed when I listen to it. Dominika, your comment about us cherishing and staying with our elders is beautiful. Our elders have much to teach us. I think that's what Prine was trying to tell us. Prine's genius lay in the fact that he could bring us to tears and then make us laugh. "In Spite of Ourselves" is one of his songs that will bring a smile and laughter.
I love your reactions. John was a gift to all of us. I was lucky enough to see him about a dozen times over 45 years. His songs are as poignant as our truest feelings. A lighthearted, fun masterpiece of his is The Bottomless Lake. Also, I Remember Everything is a great bittersweet song that he recorded on video just before he died.Thanks for your open, honest reactions.
I have to mention John Prine wrote a song that seems to perfectly fit you two, "In Spite of Ourselves" with John and Iris Dement. Please try it sometime, I promise you'll enjoy it.
I’m pretty sure the inspiration for this song came about as he had a job(not sure what), but he would have to visit an old folks home. That’s what I read.
Yes. I started working in Adult Protective Services a few years ago. Even when they’re able to take care of themselves on their own, they’re often still lonely and need someone to just listen and talk with.
When I was a kid , I used to hang around with the old folks at family gatherings and listen to their stories . I learned so much from them .I will be 79 next week , our kids are scattered all over the country with no grandchildren . I have lots of stories about what I consider to be an interesting life , but no one wants to hear them. The greatest problem of modern society is that unlike human life for tens of thousands of years , when wisdom was passed down to the young from older generations , the pace of change is so rapid now that the experience and knowledge of past generations is considered to be irrelevant. All culture now is passed on by sexual perverts in Hollyweird or the internet .
May I suggest that you write down the stories from your life. Take them one at a time. Treat each one as a chapter in the book of your life. Your experience has value. It is said that we will never be a prophet in our hometown, but the day will come when there are questions that will want to be asked and we won't be there to answer them. Tell your stories.
I am 66 but very similar experience as you. Even as a young kid I always loved listening to my elders be it parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents or even older work colleagues. I would try and ask a few questions to get them started then sit back and soak it all in. And like you I believe I have had some interesting experiences to share but find children and grandchildren not much interested.
@@757optiminteresting reading your response/suggestion as that is something I have been considering doing. I have stories and experiences but those who should be my audience don’t show much interest. I will write them down for my own benefit and hope one day they come across them and find them worth their time to read.
@@bradsense7431 Excellent. They can't read them if you don't write them. May you enjoy the effort and may the fruits of your labor bring you closer to your loved ones. Amen.
John Prine existed to make me feel bad. But he is convincing, in his arguments, so maybe he is right. I'm terrible. But he could open a salt factory with these lyrics.
As a mailman he would see police doing welfare checks and they would knock on the doors and yell "hello in there. Hello." In some cases the person had passed.
