In a poignant tribute to the late John Prine, Bright Eyes has unveiled a soul-stirring cover of Prine’s classic festive tune, “Christmas in Prison.” The emotional rendition breathes new life into a song that first graced Prine’s 1973 album, Sweet Revenge.
Conor Oberst’s hauntingly echoey vocals take center stage, beautifully complemented by the plaintive sounds of the pedal steel guitar. The lyrics, weaving a tale of Christmas in confinement, resonate with a deep, atmospheric quality. “It was Christmas in prison / And the food was real good / We had turkeys and pistols / Carved out of wood,” Oberst croons, capturing the essence of the original composition.
The track also incorporates an excerpt from “A John Prine Christmas,” a spoken word piece recorded by Prine himself for his 1993 album of the same name. This addition provides a reflective touch as Prine shares memories of Christmases past.
In a heartwarming gesture, all proceeds from the cover will be directed to Prine’s charity, The Hello In There Foundation. The foundation supports various causes, including the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Porters Call, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, and Renewal House.
Conor Oberst expressed his sentiments about the collaboration, stating, “It is strange to get a chance to share a track with a hero of mine who has passed on. Normally not something I would do. I don’t like holograms. But I have so much love and affection for John as a person and his music. He really changed my life on a lot of levels.”
Oberst also shared his joy at discovering a sample of Prine talking about Christmas, saying, “When I heard the sample of him talking about Christmas, it put such a big smile on my face, and I couldn’t help but want to share it with other people. A little Christmas gift to a stranger. It’s all about John and his beautiful song. But I am happy to sing in the choir. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone all around the world. I wish love and light this season to you and yours.“
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As a bonus for fans, a limited edition holiday ornament featuring Bright Eyes and John Prine is available for purchase.
In related news, Conor Oberst recently announced Conor Oberst and Friends, a series of 2024 residencies in New York and Los Angeles. These shows promise a discography-spanning setlist, surprise guests, and a rotating backing band.
Bright Eyes enthusiasts also had the pleasure of experiencing the band’s Companions project, featuring a reissue of their back catalog accompanied by new recordings. Earlier this year, the band showcased their timeless talent with a performance of “Falling Out Of Love At This Volume” on The Late Late Show With James Corden, part of the companion record to A Collection Of Songs Written And Recorded 1995-1997.