Prine, John - Illegal Smile Lyrics

Got my joint ready now for tomorrow night's State of the Union speech (2-4-2020); if one (or more?) of the members of Congress should go berserk, I want a front seat; don't want to see any violence.... just comeuppance. Ain't it great to be alive?

Happy time's

Congratulations on your Lifetime Grammy John. You have 'lit' my life since 1971

2020 still perfect, still illegal 😉

am still smiling

I'm not sure why this new gen is overlooking John Prine. I thought they liked the greats? I wanna hear a John Prine Mashup with Ice Cube or Rihanna or someone like that.

The first time I ever heard of John Prine was when I heard this song while living in Alaska in 1995. I was 28, suicidally depressed and just hanging on. It made me laugh and spoke to me. It seemed like the person in the song was the same way. I didn't understand the real meaning of the song then. I love John Prine, his music and poetry.

What means Hoffman , the judges name?

Abby Hoffman ??????

@William Dobson dont be surprised, im not american and i dont know who is Hofmann

Im actually here because of my great uncle a few weeks ago

Reading all the comments, I realize a lot of people had dads with great taste in music!! Mine as well, Thank you daddy for introducing me to John Prine!

My Aunt Katie, currently on her death bed, showed me this tune and Mr. Prine as a teenager. I'll never forget that. As I sit here with a tear in my eye and some smoke on my lips, I'll never forget those times.

What a funny and well crafted song , I've worn out a couple of copies of his greatest hits .. Mr. Prine is a treasure.. A great composer and wordsmith..
Thanks for the Music John!!!
🙏🏻🇺🇸🎸❤️🎶😍🌹🙏🏻

song is about LSD - Hoffman is the inventor of it :)

Hoffman... that it was an asshole judge in BG, KY back in the day?

It's about LSD.

Not only did you upload this, you gave a wonderful gift by listed each musician involved. Long, long ago I was such a fan. You also gave me a memory that made me smile. Thank you so much. Oh, percussionist Heywood Bishop was wrongly named in Prine’s album.

hey john its not elllegal anymore thanks for making sence sorry for the spelling mistakes im wearing one right nom w

He talking bout weed now that Im older 😂or em beams

In the book that came with the Anthology CDs he said that it wasn't.
Prine explains that... the album opener "Illegal Smile" was "not about smokin’ dope. It was more about how, ever since I was a child, I had this view of the world where I can find myself smiling at stuff nobody else was smiling at. But it was such a good anthem for dope smokers that I didn’t want to stop every time I played it and make a disclaimer.

I love this song so much...

Listening John Prine again after years in the Phuket night.

Evil white smirking white people should be jailed.

LSD FOR EVERYONE!

Who thumbs down John Prine?

My Dad and I listen to this in honor of his father. He used to play this on guitar and sing this to him

i miss when things were simple, and we all had time.

First heard this when it came out in '71 and no one had ever heard of him. Kris Kristofferson took a chance and promoted him - i loved Kris so I gave John a chance. I've wore out a vinyl, a cassette and I'm workin' on wearing out a cd! :D

Always makes me happy when I feel hopeless.

Gotta say this. You are a piece of shit, but you can sing. I don’t like your music enough to listen if you support abortion. Fuck you, asshole.

Why he said “it don’t “ and not “it doesn’t”?!

Because he can.

#NationalSmileDay

Maniac Netflix anyone?

I have seen John at Red Rocks in Morrison Colorado; also playing was Levon Helm and his band. Loved them both.

I came here for John Prine. 🕊💓🕊🌺

420 2019

Love John Prine.... nobody ever heard of him but everyone loves him once turned on to him...keep it up my brother

My stoner country playlist so far:

Merle Haggard - Okie from Muskogee
Neil Young - Roll Another Number (For the Road)
Hank Williams Jr. - Stoned At The Jukebox
Humble Pie - Only A Roach
Commander Cody - Down to seeds and stems again blues
Fraternity Of Man - Don't Bogart That Joint
Cat Mother - Strike A Match And Light Another
John Prine - Illegal Smile
Jim Stafford - Wildwood Weed

Any suggestions?

I've heard the man's name for years from my music friends when I lived in the midwest, but I never really delved into his songs. I'm a pro musician playing originals and covers at local restaurants and bars. Within the last month, two older gentlemen who didnt know each other insisted that I learn their favorite John Prine song. Strange coincidence as I haven't heard anyone mention the man's name in ten years.

Man, I'm stone as hell
With a illegal smile
Don't tell anyone!
😎

Timeless Musical "Toke."

Not illegal here in MA. anymore, kinda takes the fun away.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👌

It is none of you affair what or whom I put in my body! Thanks John

I, too, have the key to escape reality. Time for some fun...................

When I woke up this morning, things were lookin' bad
Seem like total silence was the only friend I had
Bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down... and won
And it was twelve o'clock before I realized
That I was havin'... no fun

[Chorus:]
But fortunately I have the key to escape reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
No I'm just tryin' to have me some fun

Covington Catholic

210 people need to off themselves.
Probably the greatest weed song ever.

a bowl of oatmeal tried to staring me down this morning but I won.

Whenever I'm bummed I listen to this song and it always cheers me up

Maniacs show me you visited this !

I love my
Pea

I love this song

This song (originally) is about smiling like a child; for no 'big reason' and wholeheartedly. Consuming dope (and other drugs) reflects the prosthetic attempt to reach this state in a society where smiling without reason becomes illegal. So this song is not about dope. It is about not needing dope to feel happy.
Of course it will be interpreted based on subjective experience and milieu(as every song); nevertheless it is important to keep the original message above the surface.

"In an 2013 interview, John Prine set the record straight
-I have to confess, the song was not about smokin’ dope. It was more about how, ever since I was a child, I had this view of the world where I can find myself smiling at stuff nobody else was smiling at. But it was such a good anthem for dope smokers that I didn’t want to stop every time I played it and make a disclaimer.
As much as many wanted to see it – the “illegal smile” was not about dope."
For more, look it up in genius.com

I bought this album when it was new 69 or 70 so you know I'm tripping!
Tripolar out.

Maniac watcher here

First John Prine album I ever bought in the 1970s.  Still LOVE it!

Best friend's older brother used to come home from logging camp with an arm full of albums every 2 weeks. This one got worn right out down in the basement at his parent's house, playing snooker and stoking the wood stove. SHeesh!

"Illegal Smile"

When I woke up this morning, things were lookin' bad
Seem like total silence was the only friend I had
Bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down... and won
And it was twelve o'clock before I realized
That I was havin'... no fun

[Chorus:]
But fortunately I have the key to escape reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
No I'm just tryin' to have me some fun

Last time I checked my bankroll,
It was gettin' thin
Sometimes it seems like the bottom
Is the only place I've been
I Chased a rainbow down a one-way street... dead end
And all my friends turned out to be insurance salesmen

[Chorus]

Well, I sat down in my closet with all my overalls
Tryin' to get away
From all the ears inside my walls
I dreamed the police heard
Everything I thought... what then?
Well I went to court
And the judge's name was Hoffman

Ah but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
No I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
Well done, hot dog bun, my sister's a nun

[On the 1997 LIVE ON TOUR Prine ends the song with:]
Well done, son of a gun,
Hot dog bun,
Attilla the Hun,
My sister-in-law is an Irish nun

A good old favorite from the "good old days"....

Yep ! Whats cool is some these youngsters been diggin it

John Prine is a treasure. What a song

Im not here because of Maniac. Just a big John Prine fan.

Never heard of maniac , at least not the One that got so many of you here! I came by Flag Decal, and illegal smile, and John Prine. An exfriend told me JP had died! He Lied! Those are people who lied! Those aren't people who died! (Jim Carol band Google it. )

Here from maniac

'Maniac' on Netflix brought me to search this great song. 🍺🍻🍺🍺

Greatest songwriter of all time and that's coming from a metalhead

got his autograf in the 1990's like also the speed of lonliness

This song is my life

a great songwriter for longer than ive been alive and im 41

Love how he ends it lol

This dude skribe does a great cover of this. Its on soundcloud check it out

I have been enjoying an illegal smile since 1976. Prine's song beat me by 5 years. John Prine is the greatest songwriter of my generation and he's still kickin' ass, love me some Prine!!!

Hey guys, I came from space, heard this song on this little piece of scrap powered by solar energy (pfft, pitiful technology). Like my comment, bipeds!

Maniac too

Dam good song. Some wierd show on netflix. episode 3 , end of it, this song comes on. DAMN GOOD

Is this about weed?

Pretty Sure yeah, it’s weed

I've been a huge John Prine fan for 20 years and I'm hear from Manic on Netflix.

Here because of maniac <3 hi from brazil

just dropped in from Maniac to confirm that it was John Prine....I remember the tune from the seventies....good then still good now....and I'm loving Maniac

I heard it faintly, n was like I know that song. Then I was like damn this show is about to be great if they're playing JP in there

I've come here from "Maniac" on Netflix. What a great song.

Well done. Hot dog bun. My sisters a nun.

I have the key to escape reality!!
I wish I had...

The best show

Funnily enough, despite being a big fan of country music, that was my introduction to this song (and John Prine in general!) as well.

My lame friends were scrambling to turn it off the second the credits rolled with cries of dismay, but I was like, "hell yeah!" and looked up the episode's soundtrack there and then.

Anybody here from "Maniac" in 2018?

Stephen Rabold Yessir

I been here since 71 when I was in 8th grade.

Great song

Here from Maniac

Ify Ugbogu Yeeeeep.

Von Willbert such a good tv show!!!

I was born in 2000 still think some of the best music made

It's nice to think in music and in some of the best ! Couldn't be better!

I love you John Prine

I guess he makes sense ..... ??? Dig his style tho ;-)

it did not kill anyone......lol

Beautiful ❤❤❤

"Bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down... And won." Always love this man!

Julia Hamilton
He is right up there with Bob Dylan in my Mind

Profound.

Or profane that's JP!

But fortunately... I have the key... to e-scape.... reality

a good friend who past on intro me to it and i remember doc from port each time my sister a nun lol

Been a JP fan since I was 3 years old... my daddy played everything he ever put out every single night. He literally had all his albums and cassettes growing up. I have yet to see him live but even if I don't i am thankful this man has always touched my heart and made so many memories with my family through the years.... Every song is special.

JOHN PRINE #1 love your music!!!!!!

my brother played his album prime prine & I've listened to him ever since and that was over 30 yrs ago

awesome song and performer

When I woke up this morning, things were lookin' bad
Seem like total silence was the only friend I had
Bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down and won
And it was twelve o'clock before I realized
That I was havin', no fun

Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
No I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
Last time I checked my bankroll, it was gettin' thin
Sometimes it seems like the bottom
Is the only place I've been
Chased a rainbow down a one-way street, dead end
And all my friends turned out to be insurance salesmen
Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
No I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
Well, I sat down in my closet with all my overalls
Tryin' to get away from all the ears inside my walls
I dreamed the police heard
Everything I thought, what then?
Well I went to court and the judge's name was Hoffman
Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
No I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
Well done, hot dog bun, my sister's a nun.

Damn this is such a great song. Love you John.

lol I want to put a bumper sticker on my car. "Smile illegally" 🍄👌😂

saw him a few years back, he's awesome, he communicates with the audience and his music is right up there with the best, he 2hr.and 45 minutes, played everything I wanted to hear except souveniors

Good song. They do know what you are thinking now and Facebook is a PsyOp.