You have to remember the time when this song was written. The Vietnam War was raging and young kids were being drafted to fight in a war they didn't understand and sure as hell didn't want. Donald was a young kid who should never been drafted . Lydia was a lonely girl. They were both looking for love in a cruel world. The song catches the way those times were as no other can.
agree with forgetful40 - most underrated folk singer ever. i was lucky enough to see him in fargo, north dakota back in 1989. Just him and a guitar in a theater that held maybe 200 people. he played, sang and told stories for over 3 hours but it seemed like minutes...
I keep thinking of Lydia every time I see this insecure, mean-ass woman I have to work with (yeah, my grammar sucks....don't judge). This song has been rolling in my head for months, and it's so frickin' sweet, and she doesn't deserve it!
Some people just have song writing in their DNA. This guy can turn a simple phrase that kills. "You know she still laughs with me / but she waits just a second too long" .. like Hank Williams, he can wreck you with the simplest observation.
@hawkjunktionboy1 - I agree with you chief, but it's just the nature of live performance and audience nerves. They laugh at the line "Lydia had the thoughts of a cat / behind her small eyes sunk deep in her fat" .. when in reality it's a deftly poetic image and not at all meant as a joke.
You have to remember the time when this song was written. The Vietnam War was raging and young kids were being drafted to fight in a war they didn't understand and sure as hell didn't want. Donald was a young kid who should never been drafted . Lydia was a lonely girl. They were both looking for love in a cruel world. The song catches the way those times were as no other can.
rainintheface100 6 days ago
I have one regret in life : That I wasn't able to be John Prines Friend growing up.
CactassDupree 4 months ago
love - that seems to be the central ingredient in most of John Prine`s songs. That and humor. One of my absolute favorite songs!
coolanddark 4 months ago
the guy's an American original....that first album of his will stand the test of time....people will discover and sing these songs for a LONG time.
photinia99 5 months ago
my name= lydia......
Should I feel insulted?
TheTomBoyPrincess1 6 months ago
@TheTomBoyPrincess1 You should feel honored!
unklelemmy 2 weeks ago
@TheTomBoyPrincess1 You should feel honored!
unklelemmy 2 weeks ago
agree with forgetful40 - most underrated folk singer ever. i was lucky enough to see him in fargo, north dakota back in 1989. Just him and a guitar in a theater that held maybe 200 people. he played, sang and told stories for over 3 hours but it seemed like minutes...
heywood31 6 months ago
I keep thinking of Lydia every time I see this insecure, mean-ass woman I have to work with (yeah, my grammar sucks....don't judge). This song has been rolling in my head for months, and it's so frickin' sweet, and she doesn't deserve it!
prinzonyx1 9 months ago
Only 5,177 views??? Most underrated artist ever...
forgetfull40 11 months ago 4
Some people just have song writing in their DNA. This guy can turn a simple phrase that kills. "You know she still laughs with me / but she waits just a second too long" .. like Hank Williams, he can wreck you with the simplest observation.
ocan1033 1 year ago 3
it bother's me hearing people laughing in the back round.....
hawkjunktionboy1 1 year ago
@hawkjunktionboy1 - I agree with you chief, but it's just the nature of live performance and audience nerves. They laugh at the line "Lydia had the thoughts of a cat / behind her small eyes sunk deep in her fat" .. when in reality it's a deftly poetic image and not at all meant as a joke.
ocan1033 1 year ago
This man is a song writing genius with no equal today.
gamingapollo 1 year ago
"felt just like Sunday on Saturday afternoon." God damn. So true.
edibleclam 1 year ago 3
@edibleclam Love that line:)
schewterer 8 months ago
John said it best - " a small movie" .
I hope the people laughing were drunk.
First time I heard it 30+ years ago, I knew it wasn't funny.
Since it's still happening today, it's still not funny.
Bamaboompa 1 year ago 2