The Heartfelt Story Behind “Me and Bobby McGee” – A Janis Joplin Classic

Introduction:

“Me and Bobby McGee” is a timeless song that has left an indelible mark on the world of music. This iconic track was famously performed by the legendary rock and blues singer Janis Joplin. Originally written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, the song found its true voice when Janis Joplin added her soulful and raw vocals to it.

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Did You Know?

Janis Joplin’s rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee” became a posthumous hit after her untimely passing in 1970. The song reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971, making it the first and only chart-topping single of her career. Janis Joplin’s emotional and powerful performance turned this song into a symbol of freedom, love, and the open road.

Lyrics:

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waiting for a train
I was feeling near as faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained
And rode us all the way to New OrleansI pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
I was playing soft while Bobby sang the blues
Windshield wipers slapping time, I was holding Bobby’s hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose
Nothing don’t mean nothing honey if it ain’t free, now now
And feeling good was easy Lord, when he sang the blues
You know feeling good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee

From the Kentucky coal mines to the California sun
Hey, Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Through all kinds of weather, through everything that we done
Hey Bobby baby kept me from the cold

One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away
He’s looking for that home and I hope he finds it
But I’d trade all of my tomorrows for one single yesterday
To be holding Bobby’s body next to mine

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose
Nothing, and that’s all that Bobby left me, yeah
And feeling good was easy Lord, when he sang the blues
Hey, feeling good was good enough for me, hmm hmm
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee

La la la, la la la la, la la la, la la la la
La la la la la Bobby McGee
La la la la la, la la la la la
La la la la la, Bobby McGee, la

La La la, la la la la la la
La La la la la la la la la, hey now Bobby now Bobby McGee yeah
Na na na na na na na na, na na na na na na na na na na na
Hey now Bobby now, Bobby McGee, yeah

Lord, I called him my lover, I called him my man
I said called him my lover just the best I can and come on
And and a Bobby oh, and a Bobby McGee yeah
Lo lo lo lo lo lo lo lo lo lo lo lo
Hey hey hey Bobby McGee, lord
La da la la la, la da la la la la la
Hey hey hey, Bobby McGee yeah

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