Kris Kristofferson - Me And Bobby McGee

Song written by Kris Kristofferson & Fred Foster, the first recording of this song, is that of Roger Miller, recorded on May 16, 1969, and released in July 1969 for the Smash Records label, it would be included on the album, Roger Miller (Smash records 1969), the song reached the number 12 of the country charts in USA, and the number 3 in the Canadian charts. However, the best known and most successful version is that of 1971 by Janis Joplin, recorded between September 5 and the one of October 1970, and sent the 11 of January 1971, being part of its album Pearl

(Columbia 1971) and also like simple. After the death of the singer, in October of that same year, he managed to stay for more than two weeks as the number one song in the USA, this being the second time in history that a posthumously released song had access to this place. Number one of pop charts

In 1969, Kris Kristofferson had begun to make his first experiences as a composer and performer, recording for the label “Combine Music” that belonged to Fred Foster. There they became friends and developed a very productive joint work. At the time “Me and Bobby McGee” was recorded, his friend and co-author Foster was also the owner of the Monument Records label, and the corresponding recording and sound studio, Monument Recording. Kristofferson had already recorded there a song he composed when he was not yet famous, with the title “Help Me Make it Through the Night.”

The title came from Fred Foster. He called one night and said, “I have a song title for you, it’s” Me and Bobby McKee. “I thought he said” McGee. “Bobby McKee was Boudleaux’s secretary Bryant, who was in the same building with Fred. says: “The hook is that Bobby McKee is her.” How does that catch you? (Laughter) I said, “Hey, I’ll try to write it, but I’ve never written a song in the assignment.” So it took me a while to think.

. Kristofferson developed a story for the title suggested by Foster, but due to a misunderstanding, in its version the surname varied to “McGee”. The text of the song describes road trip adventures, a fairly common theme in the country of the time. It offers brushstrokes of situations and moods typical of when a couple travels to the adventure, with few resources.

Versions:

Roger Miller 1969 (Smash Records)

Ray Sanders 1969 (Imperial Records)

Roy Clark 1969 (Dot Records)

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition 1969 (Reprise Records)

Charley Pride 1970 (RCA Victor)

Mac Wiseman 1970 (RCA Victor)

Gordon Lightfoot 1970 (Reprise Records)

Kris Kristofferson 1971 (Monument)

Loretta Lynn 1971 (Decca)

Bobby Bare 1971 (Mercury)

… and many more …