3 Country Songs Written by Kris Kristofferson That Will Play Forever

Kris Kristofferson is one of those enviable fellows who could do it all. Handsome and confident, Kristofferson was an actor, singer, songwriter, and country icon. He wrote songs that went on to change the face of music, and he did so both for himself and for others. His songs were so classic that in the hands of others, they soared too.

Here below, we wanted to explore three examples of that. A trio of tracks from Kristofferson that have stood the test of time and represent both his ability to write for himself and to pass off the tunes for others. Indeed, these are three Kris Kristofferson country songs that will play forever.

[RELATED: 5 Songs You Didn’t Know Kris Kristofferson Wrote for Other Artists, First]

“Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” (1969)

This tune was written by Kris Kristofferson but was originally recorded in 1969 by Ray Stevens. A year later, it was cut by Johnny Cash and made into a No. 1 hit song on the Billboard Country chart. Kristofferson also cut his own version, which appeared on his own self-titled 1970 LP Kristofferson. All this sharing really speaks to an earlier time in music when songs existed to be recorded by multiple artists and not owned quite as selfishly as they are these days. The number, which is about a hungover day, was Kristofferson’s first real breakthrough and the track he thought allowed him to quit his day job and be a full-time artist. And on it, he sings,

Well I woke up Sunday morning
With no way to hold my head, that didn’t hurt
And the beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad,
So I had one more for dessert.
Then I fumbled in my closet through my clothes
And found my cleanest dirty shirt.
Then I washed my face and combed my hair
And stumbled down the stairs to meet the day.

“Me and Bobby McGee” (1969)

This Kristofferson-penned track was originally recorded by Roger Miller in 1969 for his self-titled album. But a year later on a posthumous release from the late banshee-voiced rocker Janis Joplin, the song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track might be Joplin’s most-famous record and it marked only the second time a song hit the No. 1 spot after the singer had passed away (Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was the first). As for the song lyrics, the tune is about two adoring travelers who must part ways in the end. And on the song, Kristofferson sings,

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin’ for a train
When I’s feelin’ near as faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
And rode us all the way into New Orleans

I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
I’s playin’ soft while Bobby sang the blues
Windshield wipers slappin’ time, I’s holdin’ Bobby’s hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew

“Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends,” (1971)

This song from Kristofferson first landed on Bobby Bare’s 1971 LP Where Have All the Seasons Gone. And it later landed on Natural Act, the last duet album between husband and wife duo Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge. In between, country singer Ronnie Milsap cut his version, too. The song itself is about a breakup—one that the singer is not ready to fully embrace. And on it, the singer offers,

This could be our last goodnight together
We may never pass this way again
Just let me enjoy ’till its over
Or forever
Please don’t tell me how the story ends

See the way our shadows come together
Softer than your fingers on my skin
Someday this may be all
That we’ll remember
Of each other
Please don’t tell me how the story ends

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