Kris Kristofferson and the Bob Seger Song He Influenced
Over the weekend we learned that Kris Kristofferson passed away at the age of 88. So much about Kris is the stuff of legend – he wrote songs like “Me and Bobby McGee”, appeared in over 90 films (including “A Star Is Born” back in 1976 and the Burt Reynolds movie “Semi Tough”). He also influenced a generation of songwriters like Sheryl Crow and our very own Bob Seger. Really.
The connection between Bob Seger and Kris Kristofferson
While it’s not a direct connection,. Bob Seger has mentioned in interviews that the song *”Night Moves”* was partly inspired by the wonderful storytelling style of Kris Kristofferson – especially in songs like “Me and Bobby McGee” (take a moment and listen to both them, one after the other…you can hear it). He even said as much to Rolling Stone magazine:
“Me and Bobby McGee,” Kris Kristofferson, 1970
This is the definitive narrative song that really got my songwriting going. I don’t think I would have written “Night Moves” without hearing it.
Seger loved Kris’s ability to shape narrative based lyrics that told a compelling story, which in turn influenced the lyrical approach he took with *”Night Moves”*. Seger wanted to capture a similar storytelling vibe, drawing from personal experiences (growing up in Ann Arbor). When you read the lyrics I can imagine Bob being inspired by Kris…
First we do “Night Moves”:
I was a little too tall could’ve used a few pounds
Tight pants points hardly renown
She was a black haired beauty with big dark eyes
And points all her own sitting way up high
Way up firm and high
Out past the cornfields where the woods got heavy
Out in the back seat of my ’60 Chevy
Workin’ on mysteries without any clues
Workin’ on our night moves
Trying’ to make some front page drive-in news
Practicing our night moves in the summertime, oh
In the sweet summertime
And Now “Me And Bobby McGee”
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin’ for a train
When I’s feelin’ near as faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
And rode us all the way into New Orleans
I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
I’s playin’ soft while Bobby sang the blues
Windshield wipers slappin’ time, I’s holdin’ Bobby’s hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew
Songwriters Just Know
It’s always interesting to talk influences with great songwriters like Seger. Who inspired them (hell he even says “we’re all Chucks children” in “Rock and Roll Never Forgets” – a salute to Chuck Berry). And if you don’t think there’s a mutual admiration society – check out the Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon and Willie) doing a cover of Bob Seger’s “Against The Wind”
