also Ain't Hurtin Nobody, Pretty Good, PARADISE (all caps because I think it's his best all-time and was so early) and the life story of every hippie Sweet Revenge. and 50 more.
Prine is one of our greatest lyricists - listen to "Sam Stone", "In Spite of Ourselves", and "Angel from Montgomery" and so many others - he is talking about a woman (and so many other women) - he is writing about a situation that many men find themselves in
She is the United States. The song is about the US and the Vietnam War. Many young men avoided the draft by fleeing to Canada. The song is from the view of one such disillusioned man.
Interesting take. While I always felt the overtone of America, my mind went to the history of The Compromise of 1850, which tried to settle, but only delayed the conflict over slavery… attempting to balance the entry of new Soave states and new non-Soave states. Searching Google now, I learned that “the Great Compromise” also refers to the decision to set up a bi-cameral legislature in the US Constitution, which similarly attempted to balance power between populous Northern states, and less populous Southern states.. which also obviously was relevant to the North/South conflict which developed later. Neither the Civil War nor the Vietnam war seem to me to relate directly to the song.. except that there clearly was a conflict of values between the two people involved. And for the male character, the ‘compromise’ seems to be acceptance of defeat in lieu of continuing in a fight when he knows he can’t win. Ah, that is rather like Vietnam, after all. 🤔 Well, thanks for the comment, this made me think more on it..
I think of lines such as " she jumped in a foreign sports car " or draft dodgers who would " rather have names thrown at me, than fight for a thing that ain't right." I do however think that there are references to other American history. A couple of my favorite Prine songs are One Red Rose, and Souvenirs
“The idea I had in mind was that America was this girl you used to take to drive-in movies. And then when you went to get some popcorn, she turned around and screwed some guy in foreign sports car. I really love America. I just don't know how to get there anymore." - John Prine, 1993
@@vcktf2852 I do not know one red rose, but Souvenirs is definitely one of my favorites too, and one which I used to sing (while guitar playing). Beautiful song. Thanks!
Wow! Someone did a reaction to John Prine! I am subscribing! This is something I don't tend to do, but I have only seen two of her reactions, this one and before this the Carpenters Superstar. Great reactions! By the way this song is about a girl and America.
He did leave her the drive-in - you misheard the lyric - they were calling him a coward for not staying and getting into a fight - he is a folk artist; it is usually just him and his guitar
I see what you're saying about directing your anger at the person who cheated on you rather than the one they cheated with, but a lot of people aren't thinking clearly in that situation. They think that if the other person hadn't come along and enticed their love, then their love wouldn't have cheated. But the sad truth is that they didn't think enough of you to not stray. That misguided thinking is what kept the Jerry Springer show going for years.
John may have written the lyrics to this song in his head as he did his mail route. He survived cancer twice and then Covid took him away from us. I think I’ll have a Vodka & Ginger Ale with a Twist of Lime (The Handsome Johnny) in his honor tonight.
I'm a Warrior country, sugar, blue and turtle or raw music. Let me ask her if she hurts her a bit. While would be it's for everybody wants to be named. Lord country country country country music around question mark
The disillusion vets felt after returning from the war in Vietnam, they felt let down by their country like a faithless woman. I suspect there's a bit of this still going on with today's military.
lady liberty, vietnam, conscientious objectors. its humorous to see your perplexity, as tho identifying from the females girlfriend assumed legitimacy [shes gotta be right], to ignoring all the , feet of ol glory, greetings, dawns early light, etc references. shows a lack of keen listening, and waiting for others to interpret meanings. john prine was a superb lyricist/songwriter, while often in a folk music/every person type lane. suggest you sample several more songs, perhaps asking for suggestions. peace
Yes, glad you liked it Angela. Yes, a real woman, not a metaphor. He was correct not to fight the guy at the drive in -he realized it was her. But instead of getting mad at her, it just made him sad. She made him live in his head, a great lyric of what it feels like to love somebody and not be loved in return -because she didn’t really know how to love. To her, he had just been one of the guys standing in line at the barroom. Yes, just John Prine and his guitar. One of the great songwriters. Often sad, but often with a little bit of ironic humor, too. Thanks!!
This song gave me a very weird vibe! It literally gave me severe anxiety, and I'm not kidding! I don't have an explanation! Oh boy, what a trip! Bye for now I guess!
This song is one of the biggest IQ checks for reactors and as bored as you are through it you are on the bottom end of the bell curve, stick to hiphop its not deep at all. apparently mopre your speed
Prine had some good music but this is not one. I am writing this before the song finishes because my face looks just like yours ... what the h#ll are you talking about?