Janis Joplin American rock singer Janis Joplin recorded “Me and Bobby McGee” shortly before her death at age 27 in October 1970. The song was released in 1971 and became a number-one hit. (more) Me and Bobby McGee song by Kristofferson Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Me-and-Bobby-McGee Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by René Ostberg René Ostberg is an associate editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. René Ostberg Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 14, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who did the original version of u201CMe and Bobby McGeeu201D? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson wrote u201CMe and Bobby McGeeu201D in 1969 and recorded it for his eponymous debut album, released in 1970. Country singer Roger Miller was the first artist to release the song as a single, in 1969. Janis Joplinu2019s version, which she recorded shortly before her death in October 1970, was released posthumously in January 1971." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Why did Kris Kristofferson write u201CMe and Bobby McGeeu201D? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Fred Foster, a producer and publisher with Monument Records in Nashville, asked Kris Kristofferson to write a song named for songwriter Boudleaux Bryantu2019s secretary, Barbara (u201CBobbyu201D) McKee. He suggested the title u201CMe and Bobby McKee.u201D Kristofferson misheard u201CMcKeeu201D as u201CMcGee.u201D" } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Which version of u201CMe and Bobby McGeeu201D became the most famous? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Rock singer Janis Joplinu2019s soulful gender-swapped version became the most famous, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1971. Joplin recorded the song for Columbia Records shortly before she died at age 27 in October 1970." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the themes of u201CMe and Bobby McGeeu201D? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The themes of u201CMe and Bobby McGeeu201D (1969) are freedom and regret. The song is about two young hitchhikers who travel across the United States and make music together before parting ways. With such lines as u201CFreedomu2019s just another word for nothinu2019 left to lose,u201D the song captured the spirit of the 1960s counterculture." } } ] } Top Questions Who did the original version of “Me and Bobby McGee”? Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson wrote “Me and Bobby McGee” in 1969 and recorded it for his eponymous debut album, released in 1970. Country singer Roger Miller was the first artist to release the song as a single, in 1969. Janis Joplin’s version, which she recorded shortly before her death in October 1970, was released posthumously in January 1971.

　　Why did Kris Kristofferson write “Me and Bobby McGee”? Fred Foster, a producer and publisher with Monument Records in Nashville, asked Kris Kristofferson to write a song named for songwriter Boudleaux Bryant’s secretary, Barbara (“Bobby”) McKee. He suggested the title “Me and Bobby McKee.” Kristofferson misheard “McKee” as “McGee.”

　　Which version of “Me and Bobby McGee” became the most famous? Rock singer Janis Joplin’s soulful gender-swapped version became the most famous, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1971. Joplin recorded the song for Columbia Records shortly before she died at age 27 in October 1970.

　　What are the themes of “Me and Bobby McGee”? The themes of “Me and Bobby McGee” (1969) are freedom and regret. The song is about two young hitchhikers who travel across the United States and make music together before parting ways. With such lines as “Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,” the song captured the spirit of the 1960s counterculture.

　　In 1969 Kris Kristofferson, then a struggling songwriter based in Nashville, had a career breakthrough. After years of navigating dead-end record contracts and working odd jobs (including a stint as a janitor at Columbia Records’ Nashville studio), Kristofferson signed with Monument Records. The label’s producer and publisher, Fred Foster, admired the young artist’s talent for crafting country songs that were sophisticated yet “rootsy.” But he had a couple requests for the songwriter. Although Kristofferson had little confidence in his singing abilities, Foster wanted him to record an album singing his own songs. He also asked him to write a song ...(100 of 688 words)

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