In the closing moments of Yellowstone’s S04E03 “All I See Is You,” the voice of iconic singer-songwriter John Prine singing “Caravan of Fools” from his final album, The Tree of Forgiveness, was heard in the background. The series has been known for its top-tier quality soundtrack, and this classic track by the country folk artist fits perfectly. But what made this even more memorable for the show and its fans was that it was a celebration of Prine’s life and art which have been one of the many inspirations for the famous Western drama. And as the action faded to black, a message appeared that read “In Loving Memory of John Prine”
Prine died last April 2020 after contracting the deadly coronavirus. He was 73.
Who is John Prine?
John Prine was born on October 10, 1946, in Maywood, Illinois, to a tool-and-die maker father and a homemaker mother. At the age of 14, he started playing the guitar with his brother David teaching him. He attended classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, but it took some time before he actually realized his path to being a country musician. He first served in the US Army during the Vietnam War as a vehicle mechanic and did five years as a US Postal Service mailman.
He released his first album, John Prine, in 1971 and his last in 2018. In those 50 prolific years of his career, he put out 16 studio albums, five live and two compilation albums. The singer-songwriter also won five Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019. No wonder Rolling Stone referred to him as “The Mark Twain of Songwriting” and had legends – Johnny Cash and Roger Waters – as fans.
And his music didn’t only inspire listeners but other musicians. Some of them have also been previously featured on Yellowstone, just like Sturgill Simpson and Kacey Musgraves.
He was also a very strong individual who managed to beat cancer twice in his life. Sadly, in 2020, the singer died after getting COVID-19.
John Dutton and the “Caravan of Fools”
And we’ll end the episode with John Prine’s “Caravan Of Fools.” #YellowstoneTV
— Yellowstone (@Yellowstone) November 15, 2021
In a 2018 interview with Radio Milwaukee, Prine shared that he had shared no discussion as to what the subject was while writing the song. All they knew was that it was about impending doom. And that fit like a puzzle piece into the scene wherein John Dutton (Kevin Costner), in his trademarked violent character, killed a scheming criminal bozo who conspired against his family in an unfairly matched duel.
Yellowstone has been known for its bold portrayal of high-stakes drama with violent twists and turns, needle-drop endings, and cliffhangers. But once in a while, they take on a more tender and emotional route, and they successfully did that in this episode by featuring John Prine.
Stay tuned for Yellowstone Season 5, which will premiere on November 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Paramount. And again, rest in power, John Prine, one of the most prolific songwriters of his time who created classics that will resonate until the end.
