Guy Clark’s Songwriting Ritual

November 6th, 2021 marks Guy Clark’s 80th birthday.

Guy Clark was born in West Texas in 1941. He was a singer-songwriter, painter, luthier, and known as one of the most prominent figures in American music. Often referred to as “the king of the Texas troubadours,” Clark was a trailblazer, who wrote deep narrative-driven lyrics that formed the foundation of what is now considered Americana music.

His songs would go on to be recorded by iconic musicians such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, among countless others. Clark worked diligently on his songwriting, painting, and guitar-making in a quiet basement workshop. Throughout the years, Clark and his wife Susanna welcomed scores of burgeoning and seasoned musicians into their home in Nashville to help them hone their craft. Many gleaned inspiration from Guy’s dedication and distinct rituals.

Perhaps the most notable ritual was Guy’s approach to songwriting, which always began with a pencil and a pad of graph paper. Guy would methodically lay out his lyrics, word by word, letter by letter, neatly onto the grid. With this meticulous ritual, Clark felt that he could not only hear if a song sounded good, but see if looked good on paper as well. “I used to be a draftsman for structural steel, and that was an influence,” he recounted. “But I’ve always enjoyed this kind of paper. I can always tell something I have written because no one else uses this stuff. Maybe it keeps my lines straight.”

Guy Clark’s unique and uncompromising style is what drew so many to him and his music. Clark was a pioneer in the scene that brought together artists like Townes Van Zandt, Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle. Though Clark’s commercial success was often understated, his style and commitment to creating art that spoke to the truths that he valued never changed. From the stories in his songs to the ritual he used to write them, Guy Clark was always uniquely himself.

Guy Clark’s music and persona helped influence an entire genre.