3 Songs Written by Kris Kristofferson That Became Incredible Hits for Other Artists
Kris Kristofferson wrote songs that became major hits in other artists’ hands, including Ronnie Milsap’s “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends”, Johnny Cash’s “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” and Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee”. The examples show how his songwriting reached audiences beyond his own recordings.
Milsap’s version of “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends” topped the charts for two weeks; Bobby Bare had recorded it earlier, with a Top 10 version. Ray Stevens recorded “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” before Cash, whom Kristofferson famously visited by helicopter to deliver the song. Joplin’s recording of “Me and Bobby McGee”, co-written by Kristofferson and Fred Foster, became her only No. 1 hit after her death and earned her a posthumous Grammy nomination.
In short
- Kristofferson wrote hits for other performers.
- Milsap’s version spent two weeks at No. 1.
- Joplin’s only No. 1 hit was released after her death.
Explained simply
Kris Kristofferson was an American songwriter and country singer whose songs were often recorded by other performers. In country music, it is common for one artist to write a song and another to make it widely known through a recording.
Ronnie Milsap, Johnny Cash and Janis Joplin each recorded songs written by Kristofferson; “Me and Bobby McGee” was co-written with Fred Foster. Their different styles brought his writing to country and rock audiences, showing how a song can reach people beyond the songwriter’s own performances.
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