Behind the Meaning of “Spanish Pipedream” by John Prine

It can be easy to get wrapped up in life’s struggles. Living simply isn’t something many of us can manage. That rings especially true for musicians chasing down a dream of fame. John Prine discussed that idea through the use of two characters in “Spanish Pipedream.’ He sang about a solider and an exotic dancer who both strive to live a life away from the hustle and bustle. Uncover the meaning behind this song, below.

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Behind the Meaning of “Spanish Pipedream” by John Prine

She was a level-headed dancer
On the road to alcohol
And I was just a soldier
On my way to Montreal
Well she pressed her chest against me
About the time the jukebox broke

Prine was exemplary at creating powerful characters. He flexed that skill in “Spanish Pipedream.” The titular pair in this song consists of a solider and an exotic dancer. Prine was also skilled at throwing the listener off course. The story in this song takes an unexpected route with the exotic dancer dishing out much-needed advice to our solider.

Yeah, she give me a peck on the back of the neck
And these are the words she spoke

Blow up your TV, throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches
Try and find Jesus on your own

Her advice is a roadmap to the simple life. She tells the solider to avoid television, and by extension the dizzying news cycle, pop culture, etc. She tells the solider to move out into the country, grow a garden, and reap the rewards. It’s advice almost anyone could take to heart.

“Originally, the chorus wasn’t about blowing up your TV,” Prine once said. “It was something about the girls forgetting to take the pill, but sunk pretty low after that first great verse. I sounded like Loretta Lynn singing about ‘the pill.’ Then I got the line ‘blow up your TV.’ I used to keep a small bowl of real fine pebbles that I picked up on my mail route, and if somebody said something really stupid on TV I’d throw some at the screen.”

Well, I was young and hungry
And about to leave that place
When just as I was leaving
Well she looked me in the face
I said, “You must know the answer”
She said, “No but I’ll give it a try”
And to this very day we’ve been living our way
Here is the reason why

In the end, both the dancer and the solider decide to follow that advice. Moreover, he made illusions that they chased it down together.

Revisit this track, below.

(Photo by Tony Russell/Redferns/Getty Images)