Dec 19, 20212 min read

For the Good Times - Ray Price (1970) 12/20/21

Over his long and storied career, Kris Kristofferson has written a LOT of "Great Songs," many of which became hits for other people.

Prime examples include "Me & Bobby McGee" for Janis Joplin and "Help Me Make It Through the Night" for Sammi Smith. Of course, he also had a hit of his own with "Why Me, Lord."

We've highlighted all 3 of those songs in the past, and you can read about them by clicking the links below.

But first, let's go back to 1968, when Kris wrote a song that Rolling Stone Magazine currently ranks at #18 on their list of the "Saddest Country Songs of All Time." (Bet you didn't know that list existed!)

Kris was still a struggling songwriter when he wrote "For the Good Times." The song was originally recorded by an artist named Bill Nash...and it went nowhere. Kris then recorded it himself--but since he didn't really have any name recognition back then--it went nowhere as well.

But then, country star Ray Price recorded "For the Good Times," complete with a lush backing orchestra that sounded very little like country music.

And it became a "Great Song of 1970!"

It was a triple-charter in both the US and Canada. On the Country charts, it went to #1 (US) and #2 (Canada). On the Adult Contemporary Charts, it reached #10 in both countries, and on the Top 40 Charts, it peaked at #11 in the US and #13 in Canada!

At the 1971 Academy of Country Music Awards, the song took home trophies for Kris ("Song of the Year"), AND Ray ("Single of the Year")

And then, just when it couldn't get any better, Perry Como released a version that spent 27 weeks (more than 6 MONTHS) on the charts in the UK, peaking at #7 in 1973.

The song has been covered by literally dozens of artists, including Al Green, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Wayne Newton, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash...etc...etc.

"For the Good Times," one of many "Great Songs" written by Kris Kristofferson, and a HUGE hit for Ray Price in 1970:

Ray Price: