The Story Behind How Kris Kristofferson Would Do Things According to Tim McGraw’s Namesake Hit

I’m gonna grab my old guitar, take a pencil from the jar, fill in the empty space … Like Kristofferson would do, sings Tim McGraw on his 2007 hit “Kristofferson.” Written by Anthony Smith and Reed Nielsen for McGraw’s ninth album Let It Go, the song was a tribute to the country outlaw Kris Kristofferson. The song peaked at No. 16 on the Country chart, while the album went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the Hot Country Albums charts.

‘Like Kristofferson Would Do’

The lyrics move through regret and how a man tried to find different ways to ask for forgiveness from a lover, taking some cues from Kristofferson—Open a bottle of ninety-proof and write a song for you.

I just walked in and you were gone
To your mama’s I suppose
It looks like you won’t be back, so I thought you’d ought to know
I found that note you left today
It only took you half a page
I’m gonna grab my old guitar, take a pencil from the jar, fill in the empty space

I’m gonna tell you how I feel, straight-up genuine and real
Open a bottle of ninety-proof and write a song for you
Like Kristofferson would do

In each line you’re gonna hear “it’s my fault” and “I miss you”
I know it won’t be in time, it may not even rhyme
But all it has to be is true

“Kris Kristofferson is one of my heroes,” said McGraw of the ballad. “He’s one of the most talented songwriters that ever, ever put pen to paper and he’s also one of the coolest guys around. I mean, my wife [Faith Hill] just swoons over him.”

McGraw added, “He’s just a great cool guy, and when the song came around I knew I wanted to record it; plus it’s sort of tongue in cheek and it’s a lot of fun.”

[RELATED: 3 Songs Kris Kristofferson Wrote for Some of the Women in His Life]

“Tim McGraw”

A year before McGraw released “Kristofferson,” he had his own song named after him when Taylor Swift released her debut single “Tim McGraw.” Co-written with Liz Rose, “Tim McGraw” was about an ex-boyfriend who she’s reminded of every time she hears McGraw’s songs.

“I remember when it first came out,” said McGraw of Swift’s song. “I thought ‘Gosh, have I gotten that old that someone is writing songs about me?’ But then someone told me she was 16 and wrote it in math class, so I felt better. It’s hard to listen to a song with my name in it, but I like the song a lot.”

The Real Kristofferson Calls “Kristofferson” Songwriter

Once Tim McGraw released “Kristofferson,” Reed received a phone call from a man with a “gruff” voice. When the other man said he was “Kris Kristofferson,” Reed didn’t believe it at first and said “bull,” before realizing the country legend was on the other end of the line.

“He [Kristofferson] chuckled a bit and said, ‘I don’t know how in the world you took a name like Kristofferson and made it into a song,” recalled Reed. Kristofferson continued, “But somehow you did and I absolutely love it.”

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images