If it was just vague references within the lyrics it'd be another story but everything is explicitly stated in the song and parallel with a heavy psychedelic intoxication of some sort. I read that as "I was stoned out of my mind when I wrote this."Įither way it's a good song.but definitely about drugs whether he'll admit it or not. Lots of people tripping their nuts off will say strange things, I've seen people recite their ABC's, list different types of cars for 3 hours, or simply just say anything that rhymes rapid fire.Īlso an "illegal smile" moment to Ted Kooser. The randomness at the end seems just like an LSD sort of thing too. The chorus of the song seems to take defense of the drug It sounds like he had a bad LSD trip, in the beginning he says he's having a crappy day so he decides to drop acid (which is an obvious mistake for someone experienced with LSD to make) then he gradually progresses through the story ending up in his closet where he experiences irrational paranoia and delusions. There is no reason for anyone to have an "illegal smile" without the use of illicit substances otherwise it would have no reason to be an illegal smile. General CommentThis song is almost definitely about drugs. Well done, hot dog bun, my sister's a nun Well I went to court and the judge's name was Hoffman I dreamed the police heard everything I thought, what then? Tryin' to get away from all the ears inside my walls As he battles COVID-19 and his family asks for. Well, I sat down in my closet with all my overalls John Prine: The Secrets Behind His Classic Songs The legend opened up about his writing process in a series of deep conversations in recent years. I chased a rainbow down a one-way street dead endĪnd all my friends turned out to be insurance salesmen Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone The album included Prines signature songs 'Illegal Smile' and 'Sam Stone', and songs that became folk and country standards, 'Angel from Montgomery' and 'Paradise. It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while Seem like total silence was the only friend I hadīowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down, and wonĪnd it was twelve o'clock before I realizedĪh, but fortunately I have the key to escape realityĪnd you may see me tonight with an illegal smile When I woke up this morning, things were lookin' bad
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