Why Me, Lord - Kris Kristofferson (1973) 4/4/21 (Easter)

Without getting too preachy, I'd like to offer a short homily about today's "Great Song of the '70s."

By 1972, Kris Kristofferson had already become a successful songwriter. (Examples: "Me & Bobby McGee" for Janis Joplin "For the Good Times" for Ray Price and "Help Me Make it Through the Night" for Sammi Smith).

On the flip side of his success, was a list of inner demons he was always fighting: alcohol, drugs, and the whole 1960's hedonistic lifestyle that came with them.

At one point he felt he had hit rock bottom.

Then, one Sunday morning, he went to church with some friends in Nashville. He was touched by Larry Gatlin and his song, "Help Me (Lord)," and when the Rev. Jimmie Rogers Snow asked if anyone was ready to accept Jesus, Kris raised his hand and began to cry.

To this day, Kris can't explain exactly what happened, but it "shook him up," and moved him to write "Why Me, Lord?"

The song is written from the point of view of a man who has lived a hard life, and is humbling himself before God.

It was certainly out of character for Kris, but it still rang true. His future wife, Rita Coolidge, and Larry Gatlin sang background, and when the song was released as a single in1973, it was a hit almost across the board.

In addition to topping the Country Charts in the US and Canada, it spent 38 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100, reaching #16. Gospel stations also played it frequently, but there were no charts available at the time.

"Why Me, Lord" obviously struck a chord with listeners, and with some of the greatest country singers of all time. George Jones, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty and Johnny Cash all covered it. So did Elvis Presley, and Gospel's legendary Bill Gaither Vocal Band also released a stellar version.

"Why Me, Lord?" by Kris Kristofferson. A "Great Song of 1973," with a message to ponder not only on Easter Sunday...but every day of the year.

Kris:

Larry Gatlin "Help Me (Lord):"