The Essential Kris Kristofferson

"Broken Freedom Song" (1974)
The raw emotion of this track, part of an album of songs written about alcohol and drug abuse, just slays the listener.
Listen to Kris Kristofferson's version

"I've Got to Have You" (1974)
This love song was most popularly covered by Carly Simon on her album Anticipation, but people don't talk about Sammi Smith's cover (which peaked at Number 13 on the country charts) as much — and the woman has soul.
Listen to Sammi Smith's version
Listen to Carly Simon's version
Listen to Kris Kristofferson's version

"Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends" (1979)
Ronnie Milsap scored a Number One single with this wistful plea, but the recording straight from the horse's mouth (off his third and final duet album with former wife Rita Coolidge) is the one to hear.
Listen to Ronnie Milsap's version
Listen to Kris Kristofferson's version

"Maybe You Heard" (1981)
For anyone who has gone through a divorce, this song is not mysterious in the slightest. Todd Snider — one of Kris' favorites from the new generation — gave his gospel interpretation on The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson.
Listen to Todd Snider's version

"Here Comes That Rainbow Again" (1983)
Johnny Cash said this track, a retelling of a scene from The Grapes of Wrath, "might be my favorite song by any writer." Appears on the Highwaymen's 1995 album The Road Goes On Forever.
Listen to the Highwaymen's version
Listen to Kris Kristofferson's version

"They Killed Him" (1986)
A lament for Gandhi, King and Christ, covered by Dylan on Knocked Out Loaded. "Havin' Dylan cover one of your songs is like being a playwright and having Shakespeare act in your play," Kris says.
Listen to Bob Dylan's version

"Sandinista" (1990)
This song was written to declare support for Nicaraguan rebels of the same name, and it's a great example of Kris' more political work. Patty Griffin recorded a beautiful version for a 2006 tribute record.
Listen to Kris Kristofferson's version

"A Moment of Forever" (1995)
One of Kris' best love songs, memorably covered by Willie Nelson. "I started singing it to him," Kristofferson remembers, "and all of a sudden Willie started giggling. He thought I was singing the words about him! I was so embarrassed. Later Willie cut the damn thing and titled his album after it."
Listen to Kris Kristofferson's version

"The Circle" (2003)
Kris' intro to the song on Broken Freedom Song: Live from San Francisco is equally as insightful as the song, which was inspired by the stories of the disappeared ones (Los Olivados) in Argentina and the death of an Iraqi artist during the Clinton administration's bombing of Baghdad.
Listen to Kris Kristofferson's version

"Pilgrim's Progress" (2006)
Kris has always been political, and this cut — which has been called a sequel to 1971's "The Pilgrim – Chapter 33" — proves the old dog has still got it. Kris says it's a track that "tells the truth, a progress report."
Listen to Kris Kristofferson's version

[From Issue 1076 — April 16, 2009]

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