John Prine, R.I.P.

Singer-songwriter John Prine died today of complications of COVID-19. His songs were covered by numerous artists and he was admired by Bob Dylan and discovered by Kris Kristofferson. My favorite Prine song was recorded by Bonnie Raitt (among others) – Angel from Montgomery:

Readers who are fans, leave your favorite Prine song in the comments.

John Prine, R.I.P.

11 thoughts on “John Prine, R.I.P.”

  1. I must honestly say after reflecting on this post from a logical and an attempted outside position, that I see a certain bold disconnect with most of Warren’s other posts. The problem that most of the posts highlighted here are the symptoms of narcissistic leadership. First it was with “Christian” leaders like Driscoll, Tullian, MacDonald and MacArthur. They are all narcissists behaving badly because it is all about their fame and wealth and they have no empathy for anyone else. Then the focus moved to Trump who became President inspite of the fact that he does not try to hide his narcissism behind a mask of covertness. Biden, the presumptive other candidate to run against him now, is equally rude and in your face for all the same reasons. All of these folks make for the very worst kind of leadership that anyone can have. Narcissistic leaders, which is our norm, is simply toxic.

    Yet we love these guys and run to them. We vote for total jerks. We flock to their churches. We go out and buy their books, movies, tv shows and their record albums too. The whole world and the system of Mammon is based on fame. You do not get famous without an incredible amount of self-promotion. If you are not narcissistic you just do not become famous. Now we have a post on a celebrity who is likely 99% also narcissistic who died. This man is being lamented while thousands of little people whom are not famous and, more importantly, most of them not narcissistic, have also died but there is no post to remember them. No one is praising them for not trying to be famous, as most had no way near the selfish ambition of these successful celebrities. These other people deserve our attention. Prine does not.

    The short of this is that God is not a respecter of persons (He does not defer and give preferential treatment to the rich and famous) but we sure are! I am including myself here as I have certain music that I listen to, and certain movies that I like, and there is this thing in me that wants to praise these people even though most of them are narcissists and could not give a damn about me, you, Warren or anyone else. I find myself on the wrong side of evil. God remembers and knows those who are good and those that are better in character than the celebrities in respect to who COVID-19 is killing. Respecter of persons (plural respecters of persons) Someone who treats people according to their rank, status or importance.

    Romans 2:6, “God ‘will repay each one according to his deeds.’ To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Greek. For there is no respect of persons with God.“

    1. Mr. J – I just liked some of his songs and pointing that out isn’t treating him like Driscoll’s and Trump’s defenders do. I don’t know much about his personal life except to say that he kept a very low profile unlike a lot of celebrities, was married to one woman, and called out hypocrisy routinely. Not too shabby.

  3. I’m GenX and raised fundamentalist so I never heard of John Prine until recently (via Pandora) BUT loved him upon first listen. I have no idea if pandora served me his best tunes, but now I’m looking up others. Love the poetic quirkiness of his music. (It’s a Big Old Goofy World) Also appreciate that he had a thing against warmongering republicans… (the Iraq War/Bush is when I was awoken to their cynical con game… “oh we’re so pro-life & christian: but actually… we’re all about gett’n money, gett’n power and propping up american exceptionalism)

  4. My favorite song is “Paradise” – a song about a childhood in Kentucky and what rapacious activities of Big Coal – all told in a beautiful lyrical story line. I am fond of “I Ain’t Hurtin” Nobody” from his album , “Lost Dogs and other Mixed Blessings”

  5. “Please Don’t Bury Me” is hilarious (could be played at his funeral).
    And “Sam Stone” is so poignant … Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios

  7. “You Never Even Called Me By My Name.” There are better songs, but that one always makes me smile.

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