Guy Clark, one of the finest songwriters in Texas country history and a Nashville legend, has died. A Grammy Award–winning artist, Clark wrote songs that were recorded by Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and many other country-western stars. Among his 13 studio albums were scores of outlaw hits, including “L.A. Freeway” and “Desperados Waiting for a Train.”
My very favorite Guy Clark song is a ballad that he recorded in 1976 with Emmylou Harris and Waylon Jennings. (By pedigree alone, it’s got to be good.) “Anyhow, I Love You” is that rare love song that’s salty, not sweet. It captures such urgent emotion without a hint of cliche, pretense, or even much romance—“anyhow, I love you,” as in “anyhow, that’s all I’ve got to say.”
I wish I had a dime for every bad time
But the bad times always seem to keep the change
You been all alone so you know what I'm sayin'
So when all you can recall is the painJust you wait until tomorrow when you wake up with me
At your side and find I haven't lied about nothin'
I wouldn't trade a tree for the way I feel about you
In the mornin', anyhow I love youEveryday it gets just a little bit better
And half the gettin' there is knowin' where I been before
I'm sure you understand 'cause I ain't your first man
So when you feel like runnin' for the back door, don'tJust you wait until tomorrow when you wake up with me
At your side and find I haven't lied about nothin'
I wouldn't trade a tree for the way I feel about you
In the mornin', anyhow I love you
Clark was 74.