Today’s classic song where the cover was much bigger than the original is “Me and Bobby McGee.” The song was written and recorded by Kris Kristofferson, was a country hit for Roger Miller, was a Canadian hit for Gordon Lightfoot, but became a mainstream monster chart topper for Janis Joplin.
As noted, Kris Kristofferson wrote “Me and Bobby McGee, although he gave co-writing credit to his producer Fred Foster, who suggested Mr. Kristofferson write a song about a secretary in the recording studio named Barbara McKee (nicknamed Bobbie). Mr. K. misheard the young lady’s last name, so the song became “Me and Bobby McGee,” with a G.
“Me and Bobby McGee” was first recorded by country artist Roger Miller, the same guy who sang “King of the Road,” “Dang Me,” and “England Swings.” He recorded his version in May of 1969 and released it as a single a month later. It went to #12 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and #3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
Next up to record the tune was Kenny Rogers and his group the First Edition. They recorded their version about a month after Mr. Miller recorded his but didn’t released it as a single; instead, it was a track on their 1969 album, Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town. (That album contained the single of the same name, a top ten hit in both the U.S. and Canada.)
Not long after that, in early 1970, Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot (of “If You Could Read My Mind” fame) recorded his version of “Me and Bobby McGee.” This version was a huge hit north of the border, reaching #1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart and #13 on the RPM Top Singles chart.
Not to be outdone by all those cover artists, Kris Kristofferson recorded his own version of “Me and Bobby McGee” in 1970. It wasn’t released as a single but was a track on his self-titled debut album. It was also featured on the soundtrack of the movie Two-Lane Backtop.
The version of “Me and Bobby McGee” that we all remember best, however, was the one recorded last. Janis Joplin recorded her version of “Me and Bobby McGee” just a few days before her overdose death on October 4, 1970. It was included on her final album, Pearl, which hit the streets on January 11, 1971. The single, released a few weeks later, rocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ms. Joplin’s only number-one hit, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.
With all those versions of “Me and Bobby McGee” out there, which one is your favorite?
