Why Me
Kris Kristofferson, Marty Robbins
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From thirty thousand feet above the desert floor I see it there below A city with a legend, the West Texas city of El Paso Where long ago I heard a song about a Texas cowboy and a girl And a little place called Rosa's where he used to go and watch this beauty whirl I don't recall who sang the song but I recall a story that I heard And as I look down on this city I remember each and every word The singer sang about a jealous cowboy and the way he used a gun To kill another cowboy, then he had to leave El Paso on the run El Paso City By the Rio Grande The cowboy lived and rode away but love was strong he couldn't stay He rode back just to die in that El Paso sand El Paso City By the Rio Grande I try not to let you cross my mind but still I find There's such a mystery in the song that I don't understand My mind is down there somewhere as I fly above the badlands of New Mexico I can't explain why I should know the very trail he rode back to El Paso Can it be that man can disappear from life and live another time And does the mystery deepen 'cause you think that you yourself lived in that other time Somewhere in my deepest thoughts familiar scenes and memories unfold These wild and unexplained emotions that I've had so long, but I have never told Like everytime I fly up through the heavens and I see you there below I get the feeling sometime in another world I lived in El Paso El Paso City By the Rio Grande Could it be that I could be the cowboy in the mystery That died there in that desert sand so long ago El Paso City By the Rio Grande A voice tells me to go and seek, another voice keeps telling me Maybe death awaits me in El Paso El Paso City
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Written by: Marty Robbins
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
15 facts about this song
Song Genre"Why Me" by Kris Kristofferson belongs to the country music genre and is characterized by elements of folk music and blues.
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Release DateThe song was initially released as part of the album "Jesus Was a Capricorn" on November 1972.
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Chart Success"Why Me" is one of Kristofferson's most successful songs, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1973.
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InspirationKris Kristofferson reportedly wrote the song after attending a religious service conducted by the Reverend Jimmie Rogers Snow.
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Album ThemeThe album "Jesus Was a Capricorn" which includes the track "Why Me," tackled various religious and philosophical themes, which was somewhat different from Kristofferson's previous albums.
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Artistic GrowthThe success of "Why Me" marked a peak in Kris Kristofferson's career as a singer-songwriter, showcasing his ability to blend personal experience and broader existential questions in his lyrics.
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LyricsThe song's lyrics show an introspective tone, a manifestation of a spiritual struggle and gratitude towards God, resonating with many listeners.
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AwardsAlthough "Why Me" did not win any significant awards, it remains one of Kris Kristofferson's most recognized and appreciated songs.
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CollaborationsDuring recording of the song, Kristofferson was joined by his soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin, who provided backing vocals.
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Influence"Why Me" is often considered a significant song in the country gospel subgenre, influencing numerous artists and songwriters in the years following its release.
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Personal LifeKristofferson has often mentioned that "Why Me" reflected a crucial period in his life where he was going through personal struggles and reconnecting with his faith.
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Live PerformancesThe song remains a staple in Kristofferson's live shows, often soliciting emotional reactions from the audience.
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Cover Versions"Why Me" has been covered by numerous other artists including artists such as George Jones and Johnny Cash.
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Story-TellingKristofferson's "Why Me" is often praised for its story-telling approach, eloquently portraying a man's journey of self-reflection and discovery.
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Cultural ImpactThe song is often seen as one of the key contributions Kristofferson made to the "outlaw country" movement of the '70s, challenging traditional country music norms at that time.
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Citation
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"Why Me Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/18460627/Kris+Kristofferson/Why+Me>.
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