Who wrote ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ for Janis Joplin?

Kris Kristofferson wrote ‘Me and Bobby McGee’, but Janis Joplin’s recording became the song’s best-known version and her only US number one. Released after her death from a heroin overdose, it brought wider recognition to her blues-influenced voice and became a poignant part of her legacy.

Country singer Roger Miller first released the song as a single in 1969, followed by Gordon Lightfoot a year later; both versions had modest country-radio success. Kristofferson wrote it for record executive Fred Foster, drawing the title from employee Barbara “Bobbie” McKee and the lyrics’ inspiration from the ending of Federico Fellini’s film La Strada. Joplin changed the song’s gender references, and Kristofferson later recalled being moved to tears when he heard her recording.