Me and Bobby McGee
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"Me and Bobby McGee" is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, originally performed by Kristofferson on his debut album, and is one of the most-covered songs of all time.[citation needed]
Some sources state that Gordon Lightfoot issued the first recorded version; another story tells how Kristofferson popped his head into the studio with freshly written verses as Roger Miller was recording the song. By far the best known recording is by Janis Joplin on her 1971 Pearl album. Joplin's version topped the charts to become only the second posthumous number one single in rock & roll history (the first was "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding). In 2004, the Janis Joplin version of this song was ranked #148 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Kristofferson performed the song live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 and a CD and DVD of the event were issued 30 years later as Message to Love: The Isle of Wight Festival 1970.
In the original version of the song, Bobby is a woman; Janis Joplin changed the gender and a few of the lyrics in her cover.
Kenny Chesney makes a reference to "singing Bobby McGee on the hood of my car" in Don't Happen Twice.
J.D. makes a reference to power walking through the hospital naked singing "Me and Bobby McGee" in the popular TV show, Scrubs.
In Lucy Frank's book Lucky Stars, Kira sings the song at the subway, and Jake, Eugene and Kira sing the song together for the talent show.
[edit] Selected list of recorded versions
- 1969 Roger Miller on the album Roger Miller 1970
- 1970 Gordon Lightfoot on the album Sit Down Young Stranger
- 1970 Kris Kristofferson on his debut album Kristofferson (Listen )
- 1970 Bill Haley & His Comets on the album Rock Around the Country. (According to the biography Bill Haley by John Swenson, Kristofferson gave Haley's version his seal of approval.)
- 1971 Janis Joplin U.S. number-one single, and on the album Pearl (Listen )
- 1971 Jerry Lee Lewis (flip side to "Would You Take Another Chance on Me").
- 1971 The Grateful Dead on the album Skull & Roses
- 1972 Johnny Cash on the live Pa Osteraker
- 1979 Gianna Nannini (Io E Bobby McGee) on the album California
- 2002 Jennifer Love Hewitt on the album BareNaked
Other artists
- Joan Baez
- Loretta Lynn
- Waylon Jennings
- Willie Nelson
- Dave Dudley
- Dolly Parton (Listen )
- Olivia Newton-John
- Jennifer Love Hewitt
- Allison Crowe
- Aaron Lewis
- Charley Pride
- Ramblin' Jack Elliott
- Kenny Rogers (Listen )
- A Month Of Sundays
- Bokkie En Sy Baanbrekers
- Pete "Big Dog" Fetters
- Brian McKnight
- Celinda Pink
- Kapena
- P!nk
- Jerry Jeff Walker
- Klaus Halen (Listen )
- Impotent Sea Snakes
- Loquillo y los trogloditas (this is a spanish rock band)
- Bobby Gentry Media:http://jdhsb51.tripod.com/BGentry/BobbieGentryMeAndBobbyMagee.wav
| Preceded by "One Bad Apple" by The Osmonds |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single (Janis Joplin version) March 20, 1971 |
Succeeded by "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" by The Temptations |
