Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” released in 1971 posthumously, is a poignant and soulful ballad that showcases Joplin’s raw vocal talent and emotional depth. Written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, the song’s heartfelt lyrics and bluesy melody have made it a timeless classic of the folk-rock genre.
About The Song
With its evocative storytelling and Joplin’s impassioned delivery, “Me and Bobby McGee” tells the tale of a restless journey filled with longing, love, and loss. The song’s themes of wanderlust and freedom resonate with listeners, capturing the spirit of the 1960s counterculture movement and the quest for self-discovery.
Upon its release, “Me and Bobby McGee” became one of Janis Joplin’s most iconic and beloved songs, topping the charts and earning widespread acclaim for its emotional power and musical artistry. Its haunting refrain, “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose,” has become synonymous with Joplin’s legacy and the spirit of her generation.
As we revisit “Me and Bobby McGee,” we celebrate Janis Joplin’s enduring legacy and the lasting impact of this timeless ballad. Its poignant lyrics and soul-stirring melody continue to captivate audiences, reminding us of the power of music to transcend time and touch the deepest corners of the human soul.
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Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin’ for a train
When I’s feelin’ near as faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
And rode us all the way into New Orleans
I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
I’s playin’ soft while Bobby sang the blues
Windshield wipers slappin’ time, I’s holdin’ Bobby’s hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew
Freedom is just another word for nothin’ left to lose
Nothin’, don’t mean nothin’ hon’ if it ain’t free, no-no
And feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues
You know feelin’ good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee
From the Kentucky coal mine to the California sun
There Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Through all kinds of weather, through everything we done
Yeah, Bobby baby, kept me from the cold
One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away
He’s lookin’ for that home, and I hope he finds it
But, I’d trade all of my tomorrows, for one single yesterday
To be holdin’ Bobby’s body next to mine
Freedom is just another word for nothin’ left to lose
Nothin’, and that’s all that Bobby left me, yeah
But feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues
That feelin’ good was good enough for me, mmm-hmm
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee
La-da-da, la-da-da-da, la-da-da-da-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da, Bobby McGee, yeah
La-da-da-da-da, la-da-da-da-da
La, la-la-la-da-da- Bobby McGee, oh yeah
La-da-da, la-da-da, la, da-da, la, da-da
La-da-da, la-da-da, la-di-da
Hey now, Bobby now, now Bobby McGee, yeah
Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord, lo-da-da, na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Hey now, Bobby now, now Bobby McGee, yeah
Well, I wanna call him my lover, call him my man
I said, I call him my lover, did the best I can, come on
Hey now, Bobby now, hey now Bobby McGee, yeah
Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, oh
Hey-hey-hey, Bobby McGee, Lord