The song "Perfectly Good Guitar" by John Hiatt tells the story of a musician who is saddened and frustrated by seeing other musicians smashing their perfectly functional guitars on stage. The lyrics express the narrator's disbelief and disappointment at witnessing such an act. The song begins with a scene where the protagonist sees a guitarist throwing his guitar down from the top of the stairs, causing a crowd of beautiful women to become excited and wet. However, amidst this chaos, someone is singing in the darkness, possibly expressing disapproval or sadness. The chorus emphasizes the narrator's heartbreak as they question the motives and identity of these guitar-smashing musicians. They find it difficult to comprehend why someone would purposely destroy a perfectly good instrument. The repetition of the chorus highlights the narrator's strong emotions and disbelief. The story then delves into the backstory of the protagonist. In 1963, the narrator's mother refused to buy him a new red harmony guitar, so he settled for a sunburst guitar with a crack. Despite this imperfection, the protagonist still tries to break his mother's spirit by playing the guitar passionately. The chorus is repeated, reinforcing the narrator's confusion and sorrow regarding the destruction of musical instruments. The next verse reveals the strong connection the musician had with his guitar, comparing it to a beloved girlfriend. However, all good things must come to an end, and the guitar is no exception. The protagonist now spends his days alone in his room, only able to whistle the notes he used to play on his guitar. The lyrics then advocate for a law that punishes those who smash guitars, suggesting they should go to jail with no chance of early release until they find some deeper understanding or connection to the music. The chorus is repeated one more time to emphasize the narrator's longing for the guitar he once had and how he would have treated it with care and love. The song ends with a melancholic tone, reflecting the protagonist's regret and the loss of a creative outlet. Overall, "Perfectly Good Guitar" conveys the sadness, confusion, and frustration the narrator feels towards the destruction of musical instruments and the lack of appreciation for the artistry and soul they represent.
