Tag Archives: Me and Bobby McGee

Music Monday: September 30, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Kris Kristofferson: June 22, 1936-September 28, 2024

My heart is so sad.

Over the weekend we lost one of the greatest artists this country ever produced. Kris Kristofferson was a poet, a songwriter, an actor, a singer, an entertainer, a Highwayman, a Rhodes Scholar & a veteran. His 1970 self-titled debut gave us four iconic tunes: “Me And Bobby McGee”, “Help Me Make It Through The Night”, “For The Good Times” and “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down”.

He was born June 22,1936 in Texas and except for having to watch him die in the 1976 version of “A Star Is Born”, I have loved-actually, adored-everything he has ever done. And don’t even get me started on those unbelievably gorgeous eyes, the hair, the beard and every part of his swagger that made him one of the most beautiful men I ever laid eyes on.

Rest in peace, Kris. Thank you for everything, especially some of the most beautiful songs I ever heard.

Kris 4
Kris 3

Top: Kris Kristofferson circa 1990. Bottom: The artist circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Tina Turner’s fifth solo album, Private Dancer, was released in May 1984. To say it was her breakthrough record is a remarkable understatement. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart 40 years ago on September 29, 1984 and produced the following singles: “Let’s Stay Together” which peaked at #26 in March 1984, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” which was a #1 hit for three weeks in September 1984, “Better Be Good To Me” which peaked at #5 in November 1984 and the title track which peaked at #7 in March 1985. The international release included a cover of a Beatles 1965 hit that The Queen Of Rock & Roll made her own as well.   

The album’s success propelled her to superstar level fame. In 1985 she was one of the featured voices on the charity single, “We Are The World”, sang a few songs with Mick Jagger at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, was featured in the movie & soundtrack for “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” and on a duet with Bryan Adams. A collaboration with Eric Clapton followed in 1986.

The singer-born nearly 85 years ago as Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939 in Brownsville, TN-passed away in May 2023 at age 83. Her career began in 1956 and took off in the mid 1960’s as the lead singer for The Ike & Tina Turner Revue. But her 1984 album proved her massive talent was undeniably all her own.

Tina album
Tina T

Top: Turner’s 1984 album cover. Bottom: Turner on stage circa 1988. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Kris Kristofferson: “Help Me Make It Through The Night” (1970, written by Kris Kristofferson).

Tina Turner: “Help” (1984, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Bryan Adams & Tina Turner: “It’s Only Love” (1984, written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance).

Eric Clapton & Tina Turner: “Tearing Us Apart” (1986, written by Eric Clapton and Greg Phillinganes).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 49

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Peanuts music
(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

In one of my favorite “Roseanne” episodes, she and Jackie were talking about the lack of strong women in the music they had growing up.  That is, Roseanne said, until Janis.  And Jackie agreed.  Sort of.

Jackie:  “Well thank God for Janis!  You know, I also learned the truth at 17.”

Roseanne:  “Not Janis Ian, you idiot!  Janis Joplin!”

While I  admit neither Janis is my type of music, there is no denying that Joplin took the brilliance of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me & Bobby McGee” and turned it into a remarkable musical moment.  But in my opinion it was not the only one.  Sammi Smith took another one of his songs and absolutely slayed with it.  I remember being so affected by how intense the lyrics were:  “Yesterday is dead and gone and tomorrow’s out of sight“.  Stunning.  I just love this song.  Smith’s version won her a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female in 1972.

At that same awards presentation, “McGee” and today’s tune were both nominated for Song of the Year, and today’s pick won as Best Country Song.  My admiration for Kristofferson knows no bounds.  He is such an accomplished individual:  Rhodes scholar, boxer and rugby player, Captain in the Army where he served as a helicopter pilot and then as a West Point instructor of his college major, English Literature, to national treasure status a a singer/songwriter extraordinaire.  He is also one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen.  Saaaa-wooooon.  Maybe some day I will find a way to forgive him for dying on me in the 1976 version of “A Star Is Born”.

sammi smith
Kris
(Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Sammi Smith:  “Help Me Make It Through The Night” (1970, written by Kris Kristofferson).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.