So, this Week's Song was chosen several days ago, and we were looking forward to introducing you to a new act on the scene. Then we heard the sad news that one of country music’s pioneers of ‘outlaw country’ had taken his dirt nap (as the also recently departed late, great Kinky Friedman would have said). This singer, actor & songwriter was a stalwart of the 1970s cultural scene, having been educated along the way at Merton College, Oxford, England, where he was awarded a Blue for boxing and played Rugby for his college!
My first encounter with him was in late 1970 when I heard his song "Me and Bobby McGee" from his eponymous debut platter. I became an appreciator of his musical work, especially as his voice became more "gravelly"! However, our choice for this week was first released in 1969 by Ray Stevens and perhaps more famously in 1970 by Johnny Cash. It was also the final track on side two of his debut album, and it is this version we have picked.
The lyrics of this song are simply genius, in our humble opinion, especially these lines:
“And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad,
So I had one more for dessert
Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes
And found my cleanest dirty shirt”
So here is our 14th Song of the Week 2024 (Part Two), Kris Kristofferson’s Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down
A classic indeed, great choice!