Common Sense (John Prine album)

Common Sense is the fourth studio album by American folk and country singer-songwriter John Prine, released in 1975. It was produced by Steve Goodman, a longtime friend and collaborator of Prine's. The album marked a shift in Prine's sound, incorporating more rock and roll and electric instrumentation compared to his earlier, more acoustic-leaning work.

While not as critically acclaimed as Prine's first three albums, Common Sense features several notable tracks, including the title track, "Come Back to Us Barbara Lewis Hare Krishna Beauregard," a commentary on societal trends and counterculture movements, and "Wedding Day in Funeralville," a humorous and darkly ironic take on small-town life. Other tracks include "Forbidden Jimmy," "He Was In Heaven Before He Died," and "Class of '57."

The album reflected Prine's evolving songwriting, which continued to blend humor, social commentary, and pathos. Common Sense achieved moderate commercial success, reaching number 66 on the Billboard 200 chart. It remains a significant entry in Prine's discography, representing a period of experimentation and expansion of his musical palette. The album's cover art depicts Prine in a more flamboyant and less understated manner than his previous album covers, further reflecting the musical shift.