"You don't have to call me darlin, darlin"

The music world is mourning the recent death of American country folk singer-songwriter, John Prine today.  Prine died yesterday of complications related to COVID-19.  He is frequently cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation.  He was particularly well-known for his often humorous lyrics about love and life in general, but he had a serious side.  Some of his songs had a social commentary too.  One of his most famous songs (which he co-wrote with Steve Goodman, who is perhaps best known for writing the song, "City of New Orleans" which was covered by Arlo Guthrie in 1972 and Willie Nelson in 1984) was covered by the country and western singer, David Allan Coe - "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" - if you spent any time in a roadhouse bar or listen to country music, you will recognize the chorus:

But I'll hang around as long as you will let me
I never minded standing in the rain
You don't have to call me darlin', darlin'
But you never even call me by my name

It's a great song - and despite what David Allan Coe says, it has all the necessary elements of the perfect country and western song!  Today, however, I want to highlight one of John Prine's songs, "That's The Way The World Goes Round" which he released in the late 1970's (both Miranda Lambert and Norah Jones have covered the song).  The New York Times listed the song as one of Prine's "15 Essential Songs".  The song's lyrics are a great example of Prine's unique ability to inject humor into a song that deals with a serious issue.  As Rob Tannenbaum writes today in the New York Times piece, "Even when circumstances are bad in Prine songs, he favors optimism and acceptance."

That's the way that the world goes 'round
you're up one day
and the next you're down
it's half an inch of water
and you think you're gonna drown
that's the way that the world goes 'round.

In other words, you can't control all that is happening in the world around you.  Not today.  Not tomorrow.  But you can control your attitude and how you react to what's going on in the world.  You can either act like you're drowning in a half inch of water, or realize that it's just a half inch and you will be just fine - no need to panic.  Stay positive.  Be optimistic.  What happens will happen.  That was John Prine's underlying message.  It's one that the ancient Stoic philosophers  would appreciate.  And certainly today, as we continue to deal with the illness that eventually killed one of the greatest songwriters of our generation, it is one we would do well to remember too.