“Because of my song 'Sam Stone,' a lot of people thought I was interested in writing protest songs. Writing protest songs always struck me as patting yourself on the back.”

American singer-songwriter of country-folk music, early 1970s to 2020

John Prine was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music, active from the early 1970s until his death. He is known for songs that mix humor, tenderness, and plainspoken observation, and for a style that brought together love, everyday life, current events, social commentary, and satire. He worked as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor. His writing often moved between sweet songs and melancholy ballads, and he was widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation.