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53 Years Ago Today, Kris Kristofferson Topped the Charts With an Album Whose Title Was Inspired by John Prine
Kris Kristofferson’s fourth album, *Jesus Was a Capricorn*, reached No. 1 on the US Top Country Albums chart on 3 November 1973, displacing Loretta Lynn’s *Love Is the Foundation*. The achievement marked a high point in the solo recording career of a songwriter better known for hits written for other performers.
The title track acknowledges the influence of John Prine, whose songwriting Kristofferson said had encouraged him to write. The album also included “Why Me”, Kristofferson’s only solo No. 1 hit, featuring Rita Coolidge and Larry Gatlin; it was inspired by a religious service he attended during a difficult period. The album spent one week at the top, before Kristofferson returned to No. 1 the following week with *Full Moon*, his first duet album with Coolidge.
In short
- *Jesus Was a Capricorn* topped the US country albums chart in 1973.
- Its title track was inspired by John Prine’s songwriting.
- “Why Me” became Kristofferson’s only solo No. 1 hit.
Explained simply
Kris Kristofferson was an American country singer and songwriter whose songs were often made famous by other performers. By the early 1970s he had also built a solo recording career, while John Prine was emerging as a songwriter known for his distinctive, story-led songs.
Kristofferson said Prine’s writing encouraged him to write, and he acknowledged that influence in the title track of his 1972 album. The record also featured “Why Me”, a song shaped by Kristofferson’s experience at a religious service during a difficult period, with Rita Coolidge and Larry Gatlin among its performers.
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