“Angel From Montgomery,” a song penned by the celebrated John Prine, resonates deeply with listeners across generations. More than just a melody, it’s a poignant narrative woven with longing, regret, and the quiet desperation of everyday life. As we prepare to release our own cover of this timeless classic on August 28th, 2020, alongside a music video premiere on American Blues Scene, we delve into the story behind this iconic song, exploring its origins, meaning, and enduring appeal.
The Story Behind “Angel From Montgomery”
Released in 1971 on his self-titled debut album, John Prine, “Angel From Montgomery” quickly established itself as a standout track, contributing to the album’s induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015 and its recognition by Rolling Stone Magazine as #68 of the Greatest Country Songs of All Time. Critics were immediately captivated by Prine’s mature songwriting, especially considering his young age. Kris Kristofferson famously remarked in the album’s liner notes that Prine wrote “like he’s two hundred and twenty,” while Bob Dylan lauded his work in 2009 as “pure Proustian existentialism… Midwestern mind-trips to the nth degree.”
Inspiration and Meaning
The genesis of “Angel From Montgomery” lies in a suggestion from Prine’s friend, Eddie Holstein, to write “another song about old people,” referencing Prine’s earlier evocative track “Hello In There.” While initially hesitant, Prine was struck by the idea of a song about “a middle-aged woman who feels older than she is.” He envisioned a woman at her kitchen sink, yearning for escape from her mundane routine and marriage. This image became the emotional core of the song.
Prine explained his songwriting process, stating, “I had this really vivid picture of this woman standing over the sink with soap in her hands. She wanted to get out of her house and her marriage and everything. She just wanted an angel to come and take her away from all this.” He allowed this character to dictate the song’s narrative, emphasizing the power of strong character development in songwriting. “You let the character write the song. You just dictate from then on,” Prine noted.
The Setting – Montgomery
The specific choice of Montgomery, Alabama, as the song’s location remains somewhat of a charming mystery. Prine himself believes it was likely a tribute to his musical hero, Hank Williams, who called Montgomery home. This connection adds another layer of depth to the song, rooting it in a place rich with musical history and Southern atmosphere.
Prine’s Songwriting Process
John Prine often described his songwriting philosophy as “leaving out what’s not supposed to be there.” He emphasized intuition and allowing the song to unfold organically, admitting, “as long as I’ve been writing, I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m always starting out brand new.” This approach contributed to the raw emotional honesty and relatable quality that defines his work, and particularly shines through in “Angel From Montgomery”.
Critical Acclaim and Bonnie Raitt’s Version
“Angel From Montgomery” quickly garnered critical acclaim upon its release, but it was Bonnie Raitt’s cover on her 1974 album Streetlights that propelled the song to widespread recognition. Raitt herself has expressed a profound connection to the song, stating in a 2000 interview: “‘Angel from Montgomery’ probably has meant more to my fans and my body of work than any other song, and it will historically be considered one of the most important ones I’ve ever recorded.”
She further elaborated on its emotional depth: “It’s just such a tender way of expressing that sentiment of longing…without being maudlin or obvious. It has all the different shadings of love and regret and longing. It’s a perfect expression from [a] wonderful genius.” Raitt’s rendition became iconic, solidifying “Angel From Montgomery”’s place in the American musical canon and introducing it to a broader audience.
John Prine: The Songwriter
To fully appreciate “Angel From Montgomery,” understanding John Prine’s background is essential. Born on October 10, 1946, in Maywood, Illinois, Prine’s roots were in Paradise, Kentucky, where his parents had moved from due to the dangers of coal mining. His connection to working-class struggles and everyday life deeply influenced his songwriting.
Early Life and Influences
Prine’s musical journey began at age 12 when he learned guitar from his older brother, Dave. He further honed his skills at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. After serving in the U.S. Army in West Germany, Prine returned to Chicago and worked as a mailman, all the while writing songs as a hobby. His breakthrough came through Chicago film critic Roger Ebert and Kris Kristofferson, who recognized his exceptional talent during Chicago’s folk revival scene.
Songwriting Style and Themes
Prine’s debut album, featuring “Angel From Montgomery,” showcased his signature songwriting style – deeply empathetic narratives focusing on the lives of the lonely, the marginalized, and the broken. Songs like “Sam Stone,” about a drug-addicted veteran, and “Paradise,” a lament for his father’s Kentucky hometown ravaged by coal mining, exemplify his ability to tackle complex and poignant themes with directness and humanity.
Legacy and Influence
John Prine became a touchstone for a new generation of Americana artists, including Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, and Tom Snider. Snider aptly described Prine’s music to Rolling Stone as being like “Huckleberry Finn,” revealing deeper layers of meaning with each listen over time. Prine’s influence extends beyond his songwriting, inspiring countless artists with his honest storytelling and genuine connection to his audience.
Gender Perspective
One frequently asked question about “Angel From Montgomery” concerns Prine, a male songwriter, singing from a first-person female perspective. Prine addressed this question directly, stating, “I got asked years later lots of times how I felt I could get away with writing a woman’s song first-person. And that never occurred to me, because I already considered myself a writer. And writers are any gender you want. You write from the character and how can you go wrong?” This perspective underscores his commitment to character-driven songwriting and his belief in the writer’s ability to inhabit diverse experiences.
Reflecting on the song’s enduring success, Prine recalled seeing a poster featuring lyrics from “Angel From Montgomery” alongside a rodeo scene. “It looked very much like whatever I had in mind when I wrote it,” he remarked, highlighting the song’s ability to evoke vivid imagery and connect with listeners on a deeply personal level.
In an interview, Prine shared his philosophy on songwriting and audience engagement: “I think the more the listener can contribute to the song, the better; the more they become part of the song, and they fill in the blanks.” He believed in providing enough detail to ground the song in reality while leaving space for listeners to connect their own emotions and experiences.
Prine also recounted his initial nervousness about performing his deeply personal songs for an audience. “I was very nervous about singing this and the other songs in public for the first time. Because I thought that they would come across as too detailed, too amateurish. Because I hadn’t heard anybody being that detailed. And I thought there must be a reason for that. I must not be doing it the right way, whatever the right way is.” His initial performance was met with silence, intensifying his anxiety, but this silence soon broke into applause, revealing the profound connection he could forge through his music. “It was like I found out all of a sudden that I could communicate. That I could communicate really deep feelings and emotions. And to find that out all at once was amazing.”
“Angel From Montgomery” stands as a testament to John Prine’s songwriting genius, his ability to capture the human condition with empathy, humor, and unflinching honesty. It’s a song that continues to resonate because it speaks to universal feelings of longing, regret, and the search for escape, all wrapped in a melody as timeless as the emotions it conveys. We are honored to add our voice to the song’s ongoing journey with our upcoming cover release.
Watch our video and hear our cover of Angel From Montgomery: https://www.raveiskole.com/angel-from-montgomery or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tkIISkCjhgE
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