Remembering John Prine - sweet songs never last too long

A year ago, the world lost one of the greatest songwriters in American history. At the time of John Prine's passing, the grief was blended amidst the overwhelming loss that the world was facing during the COVID-19 pandemic - statistically speaking, Prine was just 1 of the 5,020 COVID related deaths that day. But, for those who knew just how massive of a hole that would be left behind by Mr. Prine after all the dust had settled, instantly felt the immense loss.

Over the course of the next few weeks and months, many tributes would be published, numerous covers of songs released, a viral celebration of life, and a handful of posthumous awards presented to Prine. Nearly everything that could be written about Prine, was. However it never grew tired or felt repetitive, for part of the magic of John Prine was that, through his music, he was able to make every listener feel as if they had a personal connection with him. Even on the hundredth listen to any of his songs, it felt as if Prine was speaking directly to you, the way you only could to a close friend. Through his unequaled method of simplifying the most heartbreaking moments of the human experience through to the most joyous, the right Prine song at the right moment felt no different than an arm around your slouched shoulder.

Understanding just how he accomplished this is a task likely suited for an experienced psychologist. Or philosopher. But boiled down, it was simply the fact that John Prine understood the complexities that make the human experience so perplexing. He never allowed himself to shed a tear that wasn't mixed in with a smile, nor allowed himself to feel so elated that the foundational heartbreak was forgotten. And while most of us spend our days actively trying to find a happy baseline that acts homogeneously of all conflicting emotions, Prine happily picked and chose each feeling separately, mixing and matching like a child in a tub of Legos.

Through all the shared Prine stories this past year, each have felt so unique in the most relatable way. To a young Justin Vernon, That's the Way the World Goes Round served as an empathetic guide as he rode home in the backseat from his grandmother's funeral. To Jason Isbel, Angel From Montgomery unlocked the realization that through songwriting, you can be anyone you want to be. To Bill Murray, Linda Goes to Mars was the spark that helped him to begin his journey to overcome a dark depression. For me, John Prine was the soundtrack to the summer I fell in love with my future wife. Hearing everyone's stories, you can't help but get the feeling of "ah, that makes sense."

There are millions of other unique scenarios where Prine's music acts as the catalyst to understanding, up to and including the event of his very own death (look no further than When I Get to Heaven). As the news broke, it's heartwarming to think of the thousands of people who put on a Prine song, sat back, and simply appreciated the miracle that our few years on this earth intersected with an irreplaceable artist like John Prine.