Guy Clark was one of the greatest songwriters the country and Americana world has ever seen. He was an expert storyteller who could turn even seemingly mundane things into timeless songs. For instance, he wrote the classic “LA Freeway” about moving out of California. Later in his career, he penned the title track from his final album My Favorite Picture of You about a candid snapshot of his wife, Susanna Clark.
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In 2011, American Songwriter joined Clark in his legendary workshop for an interview. During the conversation, he performed “My Favorite Picture of You” two years before releasing the album. He also told the story behind the song as well as the photo that inspired it. Watch the video below.
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Guy Clark Shares the Story Behind “My Favorite Picture of You”
As the video begins, Guy Clark holds up a photo of Susanna Clark standing in front of their home. She stands with her back rigid and her arms crossed over her chest, obviously angry about something. “This is my favorite picture of my wife, Susanna,” Clark said.
“Me and Townes [Van Zandt] were in that house drunk on our ass being totally obnoxious. She finally had enough and said ‘F—k you guys. I’m leaving.’ I think John Lomax was outside and he took that picture of her,” he recalled. “For some reason, that has always been my favorite picture,” he said of the snapshot.
Then, he revealed how that photo inspired the song. “A songwriter I had not met before came over named Gordie Sampson. He had written that idea down, ‘My favorite picture of you.’ I saw it or read it or he said it and I immediately snapped to that photograph because it was pinned to my wall,” Clark explained. “It was just like, ‘I know this whole song. I know how this song goes,’” he added.
Unfortunately, Susanna Clark passed away in 2012. Her passing made “My Favorite Picture of You” hit just a little harder. Instead of a husband’s ode to a photo of his wife, it became a tribute to his companion of 40 years who was no longer with him.
Featured Image by Beth Gwinn/Redferns
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