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John Prine — All the Best
Album: The Missing Years
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1051









Released: 1991
Length: 3:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I wish you love
And happiness
I guess I wish you
All the best
I wish you don't
Do like I do
And ever fall in love with
Someone like you
Cause if you fell
Just like I did
You'd probably walk around the block
Like a little kid.
But kids don't know
They can only guess
How hard it is
To wish you happiness

I guess that love
Is like a Christmas card
You decorate a tree
You throw it in the yard
It decays and dies
And the snowmen melt
Well I once knew love
I knew how love felt
Yeah I knew love
Love knew me
And when I walked
Love walked with me
And I got no hate
And I got no pride
Well I got so much love
That I cannot hide

Say you drive a Chevy
Say you drive a Ford
You say you drive around the town
Till you just get bored
Then you change your mind
For something else to do
And your heart gets bored with your mind
And it changes you
Well it's a doggone shame
And it's an awful mess
I wish you love
I wish you happiness
I wish you love
I wish you happiness
I guess I wish you
All the best
Comments (65)add comment
The poor guy battled cancer for years and then Covid got him.
So sad. What a voice and what a songwriter.
Posted 3 days ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 mach-hog wrote:

Such deceptively simple grammar and diction conveying the most complex of Emotion. One of Prine’s exceptional qualities. ❤️



Can't put it any better than that. 
Posted 1 year ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
11.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 eyke wrote:

written about going to an ex-wife's wedding. 

Thank you John for all the stories. RIP



In one of his YouTube performances of the song, he says he got a divorce for Christmas.  Made me laugh - I got one for Christmas too - and it put all the Christmas imagery of the song into context , cards (that get thrown away), trees that decay and die
Posted 2 years ago by blackridge    [ Reply ]
Recently watched an Austin City Limits episode of John Prine appearances. First was around '72 (?), then about every five years after that. Nice.
c.
Posted 2 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
One of America’s finest song writers. So influential for all who followed.
Posted 3 years ago by zurcronium    [ Reply ]
 mach-hog wrote:

Such deceptively simple grammar and diction conveying the most complex of Emotion. One of Prine’s exceptional qualities. ❤️



Very well put! RIP 
Posted 3 years ago by deadheadmark    [ Reply ]
Missing John Prine.
Posted 3 years ago by spodiodi67    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

his brevity made all his songs soooooooooooooo easy to listen to, over and over and over



A lot of country music is like this, still now. Deceptively simple lyrics, spoken clearly. It's one of the hallmarks of country music. One of the reasons I love it.
Posted 3 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
Holy cow does he sound like Bob Dylan
Posted 3 years ago by Oxen1morale    [ Reply ]
and that brevity seems to leads to the syncopation
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
his brevity made all his songs soooooooooooooo easy to listen to, over and over and over
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Such deceptively simple grammar and diction conveying the most complex of Emotion. One of Prine’s exceptional qualities. ❤️
Posted 3 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
Hard to beat this one.. I wish you happiness. 
Posted 3 years ago by timatmit    [ Reply ]
written about going to an ex-wife's wedding. 

Thank you John for all the stories. RIP
Posted 4 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
Well I once knew love
I knew how love felt
Yeah I knew love
Love knew me
And when I walked
Love walked with me
And I got no hate
And I got no pride
Well I got so much love
That I cannot hide

RIP John.  : (
Posted 4 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Edm23Rocha wrote:

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. From an amazing album! 



John, we will miss you...
Posted 4 years ago by jerneja    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
The most recent comment was almost seven years ago.
 
... and 3 years later, I posted a new one...

Posted 4 years ago by Edm23Rocha    [ Reply ]
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. From an amazing album! 
Posted 4 years ago by Edm23Rocha    [ Reply ]
The most recent comment was almost seven years ago.
Posted 7 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]

John Prine & Jim James - All The Best, Live(2010)

John Prine with Jim James of My Morning Jacket performed "All The Best" on the Late Show with David Letterman on 5/26/2010.

"Gets better every single time I hear it...amazing song, love seeing the older and younger generation's singing together, gives me hope for the future, no horrible auto-tune here."  jabstyle22

"wow! this is awesome. Never knew this happened. Love both of these guys. Thx so much for posting this."     kipster9

 




Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Thistle wrote:
How old is this music? 60's?
Does it matter? Good music is never dated.
Posted 18 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
How old is this music? 60's?
Posted 18 years ago by Thistle    [ Reply ]
One of John Prine's best. Great album if you like his music.
Posted 18 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
Any time I reach for the volume to turn it UP on a song I'm not familiar with, it's a good thing. This one is great!
Posted 18 years ago by djblitz    [ Reply ]
Best damn singing mailman there is!
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Alafia wrote:
the album this song is from, "The Missing Years" is excellent from start to finish...
Especially the title track..Jesus-the missing years....
Posted 18 years ago by Farquwaar    [ Reply ]
the album this song is from, "The Missing Years" is excellent from start to finish...
Posted 19 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
Wow, this song is so very appropriate for the way I'm feeling at the moment.
Posted 19 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
Ohhhhh maaannn!!! Louis Armstrong, The Pogues, Neil Halstead, and John Prine...and my favorite Prine song to boot...all in like 20 minutes. This makes my whole day. Thanks RP! Dave
Posted 19 years ago by geotrash    [ Reply ]
the more I hear it, the more I like it...
Posted 19 years ago by rolf    [ Reply ]
Always great to hear John Prine. One of the best songwriters ever!
Posted 19 years ago by KevH    [ Reply ]
Hearing Prine reminds me of my old friend Jerry. Used to smoke-up while listening to "Illegal Smile"...
Posted 19 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
IMHO John Prine is one of the best story tellers in the business. I have all of his music and I have to say he is quite a character. I was turned on to him by my ex fiances father and I have been listening ever since. He does a wonderful duet with Bonnie Raitt that is not to be missed.
Posted 19 years ago by Magnus    [ Reply ]
Just love the sentiment in this song
Posted 19 years ago by LennytheB    [ Reply ]
Happy to hear John Prine. I'd be even happier to hear more. This would go well with Mary Gauthier's Mercy, wouldn't it?
Posted 19 years ago by betterdaze    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
Good to hear John Prine again. That voice is unmistakable.
And comforting. A respite.
Posted 19 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
He's great live. Saw him in a small venue back in the 80s.
Posted 19 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
great song
Posted 19 years ago by bmo    [ Reply ]
Good to hear John Prine again. That voice is unmistakable.
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
Always great to hear JP. Brings back memories of John and Steve Goodman playing at the First (and last) New England Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival in 1973 somewhere in the wilds of Maine. The Fest was an unorganized disaster, with about 1,500 attendees. But by far the highlight was John and Steve playing together (Seals & Croft were the headliners, go figure :headshake: ). I've been an ardent fan of both since that day (RIP Steve) . Peace
Posted 19 years ago by Slick    [ Reply ]
please play more John Prine - LOTS more!
Posted 19 years ago by Orphan    [ Reply ]
AndyC wrote:
Heard this the first time during a particularly painful breakup, it hit the spot so, I just had to buy the CD and send it to the other party... I *think* she appreciated it :D
Console yourself in what you had if she did, and be glad you lost her if she didn't. ;-) Outstanding tune from Mr. Prine. Among his best, and that's saying something.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
nice song, real jem.
Posted 19 years ago by shiekstar    [ Reply ]
Oh, bittersweet song Heard this the first time during a particularly painful breakup, it hit the spot so, I just had to buy the CD and send it to the other party... I *think* she appreciated it :D
Posted 19 years ago by AndyC    [ Reply ]
If there is a better lyricist, I would be very surprised.
Posted 19 years ago by oufason    [ Reply ]
Mmm... John Prine... always brings a smile to my face.
Posted 19 years ago by sillyboy    [ Reply ]
Darlington wrote:
Funny thing happened to me this summer. I was in a rental car on a business trip to Maine. Out of habit I always hit the eject button when I get in a rental car to see if anyone has left a CD in the tray. Sure enough they had, and when I hit eject, Disc One of this CD came out. Very nice. Would recommend anyone who rents a car trying this. It's only happened to me that one time, but who knows....
Hey! Fork it over! I left a Prine CD in my last rental car. And I use the same company you do! Whatever it is...
Posted 20 years ago by diane    [ Reply ]
Definitely an American original.
Posted 20 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Darlington wrote:
Funny thing happened to me this summer. I was in a rental car on a business trip to Maine. Out of habit I always hit the eject button when I get in a rental car to see if anyone has left a CD in the tray. Sure enough they had, and when I hit eject, Disc One of this CD came out. Very nice. Would recommend anyone who rents a car trying this. It's only happened to me that one time, but who knows....
Wait! Are you saying that every car will have a John Prine CD?
Posted 20 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
for me, the intelligent lyrics make this song really memorable. A catchy tune is not everything ...
Posted 20 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
so upbeat
Posted 20 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
Woo-hoo! More John Prine!
Posted 20 years ago by Omega    [ Reply ]
Funny thing happened to me this summer. I was in a rental car on a business trip to Maine. Out of habit I always hit the eject button when I get in a rental car to see if anyone has left a CD in the tray. Sure enough they had, and when I hit eject, Disc One of this CD came out. Very nice. Would recommend anyone who rents a car trying this. It's only happened to me that one time, but who knows....
Posted 20 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Just saw JP last night. The man is always amazing.
Posted 20 years ago by Adam    [ Reply ]
YES!
Posted 20 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
Oh, man... this one always makes me cry.
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
lowelltr wrote:
YES! John Prine is a (minor) god! And this song is a definite ten, along with "Unlonely" fromt he same album.
I agree with the minor god status. His sound has it's limitations, but what he does with it is masterful. Just an 8 from me. (East German judge)
Posted 20 years ago by namesbenny    [ Reply ]
YES! John Prine is a (minor) god! And this song is a definite ten, along with "Unlonely" fromt he same album.
Posted 20 years ago by lowelltr    [ Reply ]
I became a John Prine fan when I heard him play All The Best during a live radio interview. I've seen him at least a dozen times since then. Thanks for giving us more John Prine. Glad he's healthy again!
Posted 21 years ago by Floyd    [ Reply ]
Always a treat.
Posted 21 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
he just came to san antonio last weekend, i didnt make it but a friend of mine did and she said he was great an excellent songwriter this aint his best but its not bad
Posted 21 years ago by EzRaD    [ Reply ]
"I guess that love is like a Christmas card; you decorate a tree, you throw it in the yard." Now there's a lyric. I've always considered John Prine among the greatest American lyricists of all time. His music always makes me smile.
Posted 21 years ago by geotrash    [ Reply ]
I agree - John is playing in Eureka Springs in early March. Be there or be square.
Posted 21 years ago by Spliff    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear a little Prine lately. Thanks
Posted 21 years ago by Freebish    [ Reply ]