Speed of the Sound of Loneliness


"Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" is a song written by American singer-songwriter John Prine and originally recorded on his 1986 album German Afternoons. The song was later covered by American singer-songwriter Kim Carnes, who released it as a single from her 1988 album View from the House. Carnes' version reached number 70 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song gained further fame with a duet recording by Prine and American singer Nanci Griffith on the latter's 1993 album Other Voices, Other Rooms and the release of the track as a single.

Other versions

The song has been covered by many, including British band Alabama 3 on their 1997 album Exile on Coldharbour Lane, as well as American singer-songwriter Jeffrey Foucault in 2009 on his Prine tribute album Shoot [the Moon Right Between the Eyes]. Irish singer Susan McCann recorded a version in the early 90s along with a video and also included the track on her 2016 compilation album Through The Years. Scottish singer Roddy Woomble recorded a live version in 2014 on his album Live at Kings Place. The Lemonheads included a version of it on their 2019 album Varshons 2. Dave Matthews performed it live from his home studio as a tribute to Prine on The [Late Show with Stephen Colbert] on April 9, 2020. The track also appears on Kurt Vile's extended play Speed, Sound, Lonely KV, released in October 2020.