There are songs that define an era, and then there are songs that define a friendship. Joan Baez‘s poignant tribute, “For John Prine,” belongs in that sacred, latter category. This is not a track you’ll find on a commercial chart—it was never intended for one. It was released as a standalone single in May 2020, just a month after the legendary songwriter John Prine passed away from complications of COVID-19. As such, it does not have an official chart position in the traditional sense, but its resonance with listeners was immediate and profound, a quiet hit that found its way into the hearts of everyone who had been touched by Prine’s music. The song is a deeply personal and reflective piece, a farewell from one icon to another, capturing the shared history of two giants of the folk and Americana scene. It serves as an epilogue to a long and beautiful story that began decades ago.
The story of the song is inextricably linked to the story of their relationship. While Joan Baez‘s career was already established in the early ’70s, she was one of the first major artists to recognize the singular talent of John Prine. She covered his now-classic song “Hello in There” on her seminal 1975 album, Diamonds & Rust. That album was a commercial and critical success, with the title track becoming one of her most famous songs, yet her inclusion of Prine’s work was a significant nod to his genius, signaling to the world that he was a songwriter to be reckoned with. “Hello in There” is a heartbreaking, empathetic masterpiece about the loneliness of old age, and it speaks volumes that Baez chose to interpret it. The two shared an understanding of the human condition, a deep sense of empathy for the marginalized and forgotten. This shared sensibility forged a lifelong bond of mutual admiration and friendship that endured through the decades.
When John Prine died on April 7, 2020, the music world was left in mourning. His death felt like a closing of a chapter, not just for his fans, but for his peers who had walked the same long road. Joan Baez, who had recently retired from touring, felt compelled to pick up her pen and guitar once more to write a final goodbye. The song’s meaning is simple yet profound: it’s a love letter to a friend, a final conversation with someone gone too soon. The lyrics are a tapestry of shared memories and wistful reflections, painting a picture of two people who understood each other without needing to say a word. It speaks to the unique grief that comes with losing someone who was not just a colleague but a kindred spirit, a voice that mirrored your own in its commitment to truth and honesty.
The aural landscape of the song is as spare and beautiful as a Prine song itself. With just her voice and a single, perfectly played acoustic guitar, Baez delivers a performance that feels less like a polished recording and more like a private moment. It’s stripped-down, honest, and raw, with every note and every vocal inflection carrying the weight of a lifetime of memories. The simplicity is a tribute in itself—it honors Prine‘s unpretentious, storytelling style. She sings not with the powerful force of her youth, but with the weathered, tender wisdom of age, her voice a vessel for a lifetime of sorrow and joy. The song evokes a sense of shared experience, reminding us of all the people we’ve loved and lost along the way. It’s a beautiful, melancholic journey back in time, one that honors the past while acknowledging the heartbreaking finality of the present. “For John Prine” is a masterclass in how to say goodbye, a quiet and dignified farewell from one legend to another, and a gift to all of us who still feel the echo of his voice.
