John Prine's 'Hello In There' is a masterpiece of lyrical poetry, capturing the isolation of aging with a unique, ethereal quality. But where did this inspiration come from? It turns out, it was inspired by a Beatles classic, 'Across the Universe'.
Prine was drawn to the song's ethereal quality, particularly Lennon's voice, which he compared to someone talking to a hollow log or lead pipe. This led him to reflect on his experiences delivering newspapers to a local old people's home, where he noticed the loneliness of some residents. The song 'Hello In There' was born from these experiences, shedding light on the forgotten people of society.
The Beatles' influence on Prine was profound, as their music was always present, vivacious, and vital. The starkness of 'Across the Universe' sparked a feeling of impending doom, as if the world was about to lose its greatest rock band. Despite this, Prine's ability to find inspiration in the timid corners of the world was a unique and powerful aspect of his songwriting, guiding him to create timeless works like 'Hello In There'.
