3 of the Best Opening Lines in John Prine Songs

The Maywood, Illinois-born songwriter and performer John Prine is regarded as one of the best pure lyricists of all time. He combines nuance with precision, humor with kindhearted storytelling. He has touch and packs a wallop. There’s a reason the latest artist is covered all the time by some of the world’s most beloved and best-known artists.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three songs that showcase his writing ability. A trio of tracks that tell beautiful tales and open with a bang. Indeed, these are three of the best opening lines in John Prine songs.

[RELATED: The Prine Family Expands Legendary Songwriter’s ‘You Got Gold: Celebrating the Life & Songs of John Prine’ with New Nashville Shows]

“Angel From Montgomery” from John Prine (1971)

Likely John Prine’s most popular song, this tune comes from his 1971 self-titled album. It tells the story of a woman who feels older than she is. Her life is boring, tedious, and unfulfilling. So, she asks for an angel from Montgomery to take her away. And to tell a tale of this sort, Prine opens the track with the heartfelt, emotive lyrics,

I am an old woman
Named after my mother
My old man is another
Child that’s grown old

“Spanish Pipedream” from John Prine (1971)

Another from Prine’s 1971 self-titled LP, this song tells the story of a man and woman who get to talking about the right way to live. The woman gives the man a list of things he could do to better his life. The man listens on to the litany of ideas she tells him. He is such a good listener that the two even get together in the end. But the track opens,

She was a level-headed dancer on the road to alcohol
And I was just a soldier on my way to Montreal
Well, she pressed her chest against me
About the time the jukebox broke
Yeah, she gave me a peck on the back of the neck
And these are the words she spoke

“Christmas in Prison” from Sweet Revenge (1973)

A vivid song about exactly what the title says: On this track, Prine sings about what the sacred holiday might be like behind bars. Hardened men who want to be nostalgic and remember the women they loved. It’s a sweet, catchy track that sticks to your ribs. And on it, the skilled writer croons,

It was Christmas in prison
And the food was real good
We had turkey and pistols
Carved out of wood

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