"Souvenirs," "Sam Stone," "Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness," and "Paradise" give a flavor of why Prine's songs are loved.
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John Prine And Sturgill Simpson Perform Live Set Of Prine Classics
In 2016 after an Up Close & Personal interview with John Prine and Sturgill Simpson, Prine performed "Souvenirs" and "Sam Stone" solo, followed by bringing Simpson on for "Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness" and "Paradise." "Souvenirs" is from Prine's 1972 second album Diamonds In The Rough. "Sam Stone" is from his 1971 self-titled debut album and put Prine "on the map … I wish it was a happier one." Its realistic portrayal of a war-vet addict became part of the anti-Vietnam War movement at the time. Prine then brought Simpson on stage, and they performed "Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness" from Prine's 1986 album German Afternoons, an ode to someone running away from people who care. The two closed on Prine's "Paradise," originally appearing on his debut and then rerecorded for German Afternoons. It celebrates what once was the pristine beauty of Kentucky, before the coal mines got to it. See the interview