Why Me (Kris Kristofferson song)
Encyclopedia
"Why Me" is an American country
and gospel
song written and recorded by Kris Kristofferson
.
," "Me and Bobby McGee
," "Sunday Morning Coming Down
," "Help Me Make It Through the Night
" and many other songs. He had a hit of his own as well, with "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)."
"Why Me" was recorded by Kristofferson in 1972, and features backing vocals by soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge
and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin
. It was included on the album, Jesus Was a Capricorn
and, in 1973, the song became the biggest hit of his career.
According to country music historian Bill Malone, Kristofferson wrote the song during an emotionally low period of his life after having attended a religious service conducted by the Rev. Jimmie Rogers Snow. Wrote Malone, "'Why Me, Lord'" - as the song is sometimes known - "may seem greatly out of character for Kristofferson, but it can be interpreted as his own personal religious rephrasing of 'Sunday Morning Coming Down.' In this case, he is 'coming down' not from drugs, but from the whole hedonistic euphoria of the (1960s)." Malone also described Kristofferson's gruff vocal styling as "perfect" for the song, since "he sounds like a man who has lived a lot but is now humbling himself before God."
Kristofferson met June Carter Cash, and Johnny Cash
in a hotel room in 1972 wanting to play them two songs he had written. Kristofferson had just attended a rough screening of a movie Johnny and June were heavily involed in entitled, "Gospel Road." According to Johnny Cash's book, "The Man in Black" Larry Gatlin
sang a song called, "Help Me" at the Evangel Temple which inspired Kristofferson to write the song. Kristofferson also played Cash the song, "Burden of Freedom" which was used in, "Gospel Road."
's Hot Country Singles
chart in July 1973. The song, despite peaking only at No. 16 of the Billboard Hot 100
, had, to that time, one of the longer runs (19 weeks) in the top 40 and the most chart reversals (6) in one run on the Hot 100. As a result, ironically, the song managed to be ranked as the sixth most popular Hot 100 single of 1973.
"Why Me" was certified gold for sales of 1 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America
.
incorporated the song, titled as "Why Me Lord", into his live shows beginning in January 1974 up until his last concert tour. It was first released on the live album, Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis in June 1974. The recording is from his March 20, 1974 concert in Memphis, Tennessee
. He often introduced the song for J.D. Sumner to sing "one of his favorite songs." Sumner would sing the verses and Elvis would join on the chorus along with the back-up singers. He also recorded the other side of the single, "Help Me
", written by Larry Gatlin
in December 1973 and which remained part of his live shows as well.
Johnny Cash
also recorded a version of the song titled "Why Me Lord" on his 1994 album American Recordings
.
Merle Haggard
recorded a version, released on the 1981 album What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
Chicago punk band The Smoking Popes
recorded a version of this song for their 2001 covers album The Party's Over
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
song written and recorded by Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
.
Song history
Kristofferson had become the toast of Nashville in the early 1970s, with the massive success of compositions including "For the Good TimesFor the Good Times (song)
"For the Good Times" is a 1970 song penned by Kris Kristofferson that appeared on his debut album Kristofferson.Later that year, Ray Price recorded a version of the song which topped the U.S. country music charts and was awarded "Song of the Year" by the Academy of Country Music...
," "Me and Bobby McGee
Me and Bobby McGee
"Me and Bobby McGee" is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, originally performed by Roger Miller. Others performed the song later, including Kristofferson himself, and Janis Joplin who topped the U.S. singles chart with the song in 1971 after her death, making the song the second...
," "Sunday Morning Coming Down
Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
"Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and first recorded by Ray Stevens in 1969; it became Steven's first chart hit, reaching #55 on the country charts and #81 on the pop Top 100. Kristofferson released his own version the following year, on his debut album,...
," "Help Me Make It Through the Night
Help Me Make It Through the Night
"Help Me Make It Through the Night" is a country music ballad composed by Kris Kristofferson and released on his 1970 album Kristofferson.Kristofferson said that he got the inspiration for the song from an Esquire magazine interview with Frank Sinatra...
" and many other songs. He had a hit of his own as well, with "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)."
"Why Me" was recorded by Kristofferson in 1972, and features backing vocals by soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American vocalist. During the 1970s and 1980s, she charted hits on Billboard's Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary and Jazz charts.-Career:...
and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin
Larry Gatlin
Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles...
. It was included on the album, Jesus Was a Capricorn
Jesus Was a Capricorn
Jesus Was a Capricorn is the fourth album by Kris Kristofferson, released in 1972 on Monument Records. The album cover pictures Kristofferson and his soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge...
and, in 1973, the song became the biggest hit of his career.
According to country music historian Bill Malone, Kristofferson wrote the song during an emotionally low period of his life after having attended a religious service conducted by the Rev. Jimmie Rogers Snow. Wrote Malone, "'Why Me, Lord'" - as the song is sometimes known - "may seem greatly out of character for Kristofferson, but it can be interpreted as his own personal religious rephrasing of 'Sunday Morning Coming Down.' In this case, he is 'coming down' not from drugs, but from the whole hedonistic euphoria of the (1960s)." Malone also described Kristofferson's gruff vocal styling as "perfect" for the song, since "he sounds like a man who has lived a lot but is now humbling himself before God."
Kristofferson met June Carter Cash, and Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
in a hotel room in 1972 wanting to play them two songs he had written. Kristofferson had just attended a rough screening of a movie Johnny and June were heavily involed in entitled, "Gospel Road." According to Johnny Cash's book, "The Man in Black" Larry Gatlin
Larry Gatlin
Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles...
sang a song called, "Help Me" at the Evangel Temple which inspired Kristofferson to write the song. Kristofferson also played Cash the song, "Burden of Freedom" which was used in, "Gospel Road."
Recognition and awards
"Why Me" was Kristofferson's lone major country hit as a solo recording artist, reaching No. 1 of Billboard magazineHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart in July 1973. The song, despite peaking only at No. 16 of the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, had, to that time, one of the longer runs (19 weeks) in the top 40 and the most chart reversals (6) in one run on the Hot 100. As a result, ironically, the song managed to be ranked as the sixth most popular Hot 100 single of 1973.
"Why Me" was certified gold for sales of 1 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
.
Other notable performances
Elvis PresleyElvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
incorporated the song, titled as "Why Me Lord", into his live shows beginning in January 1974 up until his last concert tour. It was first released on the live album, Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis in June 1974. The recording is from his March 20, 1974 concert in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. He often introduced the song for J.D. Sumner to sing "one of his favorite songs." Sumner would sing the verses and Elvis would join on the chorus along with the back-up singers. He also recorded the other side of the single, "Help Me
Help Me
"Help Me" is a love song written, produced and performed by Joni Mitchell, from her 1974 album Court and Spark. The song was recorded with jazz band Tom Scott's L.A. Express as the backing band. "Help Me" was Mitchell's biggest hit single: it peaked at #7 in June 1974 on the Billboard Hot 100,...
", written by Larry Gatlin
Larry Gatlin
Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles...
in December 1973 and which remained part of his live shows as well.
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
also recorded a version of the song titled "Why Me Lord" on his 1994 album American Recordings
American Recordings (album)
American Recordings is a Grammy Award-winning album by the country singer Johnny Cash. It was released in April 1994 , the first album issued by American Recordings after its name change from Def American...
.
Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
recorded a version, released on the 1981 album What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
Chicago punk band The Smoking Popes
Smoking Popes
The Smoking Popes are an American pop punk from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1991. They play punk-influenced pop music with crooning vocals...
recorded a version of this song for their 2001 covers album The Party's Over
The Party's Over (Smoking Popes album)
The Party's Over is the fourth album by pop rock group the Smoking Popes. It was recorded in 1998 to fulfill the Popes' part of their recording contract with Capitol Records. The album was rejected by the label...
Chart performance
| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 28 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 82 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 23 |
Trivia
- In addition to Kristofferson's hit (BMI Work #1670077), BMI lists over 190 songs with the title, "Why Me" or "Why Me Lord."
- A 2010 obituary for MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
n Albin Otto Marlyn Christianson notes, "Albin... played the organ and wrote many songs, one of which was published by Kris Kristopherson, “Why me, Lord.”
See also
- Whitburn, Joel, "Top Country Songs 1944-2005 - 6th Edition." 2006.
- Whitburn, Joel, "Top Pop Singles: 1955-2006," 2007.