The Fleeting Relationship Between Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin That Led to Her Cover of “Me and Bobby McGee”

Kris Kristofferson’s life was plentiful and colorful, providing the masses with stories they would only seem to read in books. Whether it was during his time as a helicopter pilot or while shooting a movie, Kristofferson’s life was something of pop culture fantasy. He knew everybody, he worked with everybody, and seemingly, everybody liked him. Especially one person—Janis Joplin.

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Ever since the relationship between the two first surfaced in 1970, speculation surrounded the two’s potential romance. However, according to a plethora of sources nothing had been ever confirmed nor denied. Besides being alleged romantic partners, they were musical counterparts, and partially even brother and sister according to Kristofferson. The two shared a fleeting relationship that was extensively passionate, intense, and reportedly obtained the highest degree of companionship one might fathom.

Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin’s Dynamic

Kristofferson and Joplin first met in 1970 through their mutual friend, Bobby Neuwirth. Right of the batt sparks flew, as the two hit it off nearly immediately. In retrospect, Kristofferson said they were “more like brother and sister by the end” and “I loved Janis, loved being around her, loved teasing her,” per an interview with The Musicians Hall of Fame.

Seemingly, it was Joplin’s intensity and conviction Kristofferson became enamored with. He went so far as to once say, “She really made me feel like a wussy” and “She was quite different from anything I had experienced before.” Hence, it seems Joplin provided loads of inspiration to Kristofferson. By being his type of muse, Joplin gave Kristofferson an idea. This idea would not only cement his legacy as a songwriter, but also her legacy as a performer.

Joplin’s Cover of “Me and Bobby McGee”

Joplin’s cover of Kristofferon’s hit song encompasses themes of both tragedy and triumph. Before it became a paradoxical tale, Kristofferson’s suggestion for Joplin arose when he realized how much of a force of nature she was. It was seemingly her free-spiritedness and bluesy vocal style that brought on Kristofferson’s idea for her to cover “Me and Bobby McGee.”

However, this idea quickly turned into a melancholic one, as Joplin passed shortly after due to a heroin overdose. That being so, Kristofferson told The Musicians Hall of Fame, “Unfortunately, the first time I heard Janis’s recording of Bobby McGee was when I had just gone down because she had died.” He also vulnerably divulged, “I’m not over it yet. The irony for me is that it was such a personal loss…and at the same time it was the biggest shot of fame I ever got at that time.”

Per Kristofferson’s comments and the tragedy of his and Joplin’s relationship, it seems the two’s relationship transcended the physical world. And, seemingly, it will continue to do the same as the two’s careers now exist posthumously.

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