09/30/2024
In honor of the passing of Kris Kristofferson, I'd like to give my two cents concerning "Me and Bobby McGee", one of Kristofferson's best-known songs. Several famous artists recorded "Bobby McGee" such as Kenny Rogers and Gordon Lightfoot. But the version which will always be associated with an era and a generation until the end of time will be the one by Janis Joplin, recorded shortly before her death. (For years I thought Joplin wrote it.)
If there was ever a song which was a near-perfect fusion of Country/Western, the Blues, and Rock 'n' Roll, it might be "Me and Bobby McGee". Kristofferson was a country/western songwriter and Joplin a Rhythm 'n' Blues and Rock singer. Kristofferson came out of the Johnny Cash/Merle Haggard style of raw country music while Joplin out of Blues-Rock. Interestingly the subject-matter of the Blues and some Country Music does have overlap, often speaking of characters living less conventional lives. "Ozzy and Harriet" and "Leave it to Beaver" were long gone.
So when the ingredients were put through the meat-grinder:
The raw country and honky-tonk of Cash
1960's Blues-Inspired Rock Music
The down and dirty Blues of Joplin
(with maybe a bit of Kerouac thrown in for good measure)
the resulting version of "Me and Bobby McGee" became a nearly perfect fusion of all three styles. Fusions of three or more music styles don't always work. (Two is often the max). But "Bobby McGee" does succeed at all levels maybe because it's an honest story about two drifters going across America. We could almost imagine these characters showing up in "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac.
"Bobby McGee" spoke to a generation who put on their bandanas, got into their pick-up trucks and set off on adventures singing just about every Blues and Country song they knew. "Ozzy and Harriet" was left in the dust.
KK has set off into that sunset now where one hopes he's met up with JJ, and they've set off on the road in the ethereal plane.
