THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

341-Janis Joplin-Me and Bobby McGee.

1970-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.21. Think about it, what a clever thing to do. Use a name (Bobby) that can refer to either sex, and double the amount of artists who can record it.

It was the music producer, and one time owner of ‘Monument Records,’ Fred Foster (1931-2019) who gave Kris Kristofferson the task of creating this song. Kristofferson was a struggling singer/songwriter recently signed to Monument Records when Foster suggested he come up with a fantasy song about someone called Barbara Bobbie McKee, which Kristofferson misheard as ‘McGee.’ Barbara Bobby McKee was actually the name of the 29 year old studio secretary working at Monument Records at that time. For this reason, and with Kristofferson’s blessing, Foster is credited as the songs co-writer (see also best songs 657.)

Kristofferson has said that the inspiration for the song didn’t happen overnight, but in fact took several months to piece together. When asked where he was when he came up with the famous line ‘Freedom is just another word for nothing to lose,’ he said,’ I was working the Gulf of Mexico on oil rigs, flying helicopters, I’d lost my family to my years of failing as a songwriter. All I had was bills, child support, and grief, and I was just about to get fired for not letting 24 hours go between the throttle and the bottle. It looked like I’d trashed my act, but there was something liberating about it. By not having to live up to people’s expectations, I was somehow free.’

Kris Kristofferson was born on June 22nd, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, United States. He has released 18 studio Albums between 1970-2016, and six collaboration Albums, three of which were with his ex wife Rita Coolidge. Many of his songs have been covered by other artists including ‘For the Good Times,’ and ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night.’ It was the Janis Joplin recording of this song which finally brought Kristofferson the success in the the music business he had been chasing. Kristofferson also went on to become a famous film star, and has appeared in 89 films to date, including ‘A Star is Born,’ (1976) and the vampire film triology ‘Blade’ (1998-2002 and 2004.)

Janis Joplin was born on January 19th, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas, United States, she died at the age of 27 from an accidental drugs overdose. With Jimi Hendrix dying just 16 days earlier, also at the same age, this would lead to the ‘celebrated’ ’27 club’ (see also best songs 806.) Janis Joplin released two studio Albums as lead singer with ‘Big Brother & the Holding Company’ in 1967, and 1968, and two studio Albums as a solo artist. The second Album ‘Pearl’ was released after her death and features her version of ‘Me and Bobby McGee,’ recorded only a short time before here death, with Kristofferson saying, he only first heard her rendition after she had died, and didn’t even know she had recorded it. When ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ went to Number 1 in America for Joplin, it became only the second posthumous Billboard Number 1 single (see also best songs 712.)

‘Me and Bobby McGee’ is the story of two drifters, who eventually become lovers. The pair hitch-hike through the American South, and after they have visited California they split up, with the songs narrator expressing sadness at their parting.

‘One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away. He’s lookin’ for that home, and I hope he finds it. Well, I’d trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday, to be holdin’ Bobby’s body next to mine.’