Kris Kristofferson’s Heartbreaking Reaction to Hearing Janis Joplin Sing “Me and Bobby McGee” (And Why It Reminded Him of His Last Conversation With Janis)

Although Roger Miller was the first artist to record “Me and Bobby McGee” back in 1969, the song was made famous in 1971, when a version by Janis Joplin hit No. 1 after her death.

The song began with an idea from Monument Records founder Fred Foster, who told Kristofferson he thought “Me and Bobby McGee” would make a great song title and that the titular Bobby should be a woman. Kristofferson misheard “McKee” as “McGee,” and he eventually came up with the song’s story of two hitchhikers who travel across the country together and eventually part ways, which the song’s narrator has come to regret.

How the Version Differ

Joplin recorded her version in 1970, with a few changes—most notably, she changed the character of Bobby to a man. But Kristofferson never heard Joplin’s version of the song until after she died, and despite having his doubts about whether her style was well-suited for the song, he was proven wrong.

“The first time I heard Janis Joplin’s version was right after she died,” he said in an interview with Performing Songwriter in 2015. “Paul Rothchild, her producer, asked me to stop by his office and listen to this thing she had cut. Afterwards, I walked all over L.A., just in tears. I couldn’t listen to the song without really breaking up. So when I came back to Nashville, I went into the Combine [Publishing] building late at night, and I played it over and over again, so I could get used to it without breaking up.”

That very night, he wrote a song in her memory called “Epitaph.”

Kristofferson also described hearing “Me and Bobby McGee” as “an incredibly emotional experience” and felt Joplin “did a great job on it.” It also reminded him of the last time he saw her.

“The last time we almost hung out together was when she was doing that train trip with the Band and other people [1970’s Festival Express],” he explained. “She did indicate that if things didn’t get better, she was gonna get back on that wrong track. I was hoping she wouldn’t, but that’s how it goes.”

The success of Joplin’s cover gave Kristofferson’s career a boost, and he has acknowledged the song’s legacy. “‘Bobby McGee’ was the song that made the difference for me,” he said. “Every time I sing it, I still think of Janis.”