It remains one of the most powerful intersections of a miracle song with a powerful performance by Joplin. Because, as Kris says, she made it her own. Though it’s been recorded hundreds of times, and by great artists, my favorite being the Jerry Lee Lewis version, it remains Janis’ version which matters most. It could tell a completely different story depending on who is singing it. Due to the gender-neutral name of 'Bobby' male and female artists were eager to cover the song.

Janis Joplin, who was a close friend of Kristofferson, liked the song, changed Bobby McGee into a man, and added her own special ending. In the original version, Bobby McGee is a woman. Miller's recording led to a huge influx of interest from other singers of all different genres. Roger Miller was the original recording artist for “Me and Bobby McGee,” and he had a hit with it in 1969 when it went to #12 on the U.S. When he pitched the title to Kristofferson, he misheard the name as 'Me and Bobby McGee,' and the name stuck. It's a song about love on the road and love lost “up near Salinas.” Written by singer, songwriter, musician, and actor Kris Kristofferson and songwriter/record producer Fred Foster, this iconic song was first conceived with just a title - inspired by a real person.įoster had a bit of a crush on Barbara 'Bobbie' McKee who was a secretary on Nashville's music row. 'Me and Bobby McGee' has become a rock classic over the years. But the Jerry Lee Lewis version of the song takes on a whole new meaning for 'Best Cover Songs.' In short, Lewis is an artist whose music should be in every music lover's collection. For those of us who would appreciate a single day back in the 'Good Old Days' the line in the 'Bobby McGee' song 'I'd trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday' seems appropriate. The proof of Kristofferson's talent as a songwriter lies in the fact that songs like this one, along with 'Help Me Make It Through The Night,' 'For The Good Times' and 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' have been covered thousands of times by artists from many different genres. When I first listened to the Jerry Lee Lewis cover of 'Me and Bobby McGee' coupled with his 'set your piano on fire' arrangement, I instantly claimed this cover version as my favorite.

Lyrics me and bobby mcgee roger miller