Behind the Meaning of “It’s Happening to You” by John Prine

Singing love songs is one of the most time-honored traditions in popular music. Everyone can relate to them in one way or another, which is why so many songwriters lean into writing them. Even an artist like John Prine, who often spoke about society or universal plights, had his fair share of love songs. Uncover the meaning behind one of our favorite Prine songs in this vein, “It’s Happening to You,” below.

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Behind the Meaning of “It’s Happening to You” by John Prine

Well it’s the same old song
Boy meets girl
And girl meets boy
They carry on
They close their eyes
And kiss until the world is gone
Oh yes it’s true
It’s happening to you

There isn’t much new to say about love. Songwriters pretty much covered every angle of romantic attachments decades ago. Regardless, every first love feels brand new and all those songs take on new meaning. Every lyric about love you’ve ever heard comes rushing back to you and you begin to think, “It’s happening to me.”

That’s the message Prine wished to convey in this song. It’s one of his most simple compositions. It’s relatively straightforward, but the relatability of it helps it pack an emotional punch.

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You know what they say
They pledge their love forever
Then they add a day
They hold their hands so tight
In the fear
That one might stray
Oh yes it’s true
It’s happening to you

With love comes the potential of heartbreak. Prine delves into that double-edged sword in the second verse. They hold their hands so tight / In the fear / That one might stray, he sings. Again, it’s a lyric that every listener can connect to their own lives.

In the bridge, Prine reveals that he has his own story of heartbreak that inspired this track. I loved her
She loved me too / We had a lot of love / Now it’s all through, he sings.

Revisit this Prine ballad, below.

And for a while
Their hearts beat one
As they match each other
Smile for smile
They dance away the night
As they praise
The others style
Oh yes it’s true
It’s happening to you

(Photo by Tom Hill/WireImage)