Ten Favorite Fake People Songs: Me and Bobby McGee (#7)

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As I mentioned a few minutes ago with the "real people" song of the day in my countdown, today's song about a fictional person is going to get me in trouble. I'm sorry to fly in the face of rock and roll legends, but remember, I wasn't raised on rock and roll, I was raised on country music. And, as such, here's today's song. #7: Me and Bobby McGee - Roger Miller Don't "but Janis!" me. Janis' version was the tenth version of the song recorded. And yes, I acknowledge the iconic version she did, her status and its status in rock history. I won't argue it, dispute it, or contradict it in any way, shape or form. It's just not my version of this song. (In fact, writer Kris Kristofferson's favorite version was by Bill Haley!) Roger Miller introduced me (and the world) to this wonderful story song, recording it in 1969. It was a top 20 hit for him, in an era when the noted songwriter was scoring major hits with other people's songs (he covered Bobby Russell's "Little Green Apples" successfully enough to get Russell two Grammy awards, including Song of the Year). And, of course, if you don't care for Miller's rendition you can always turn on classic rock radio and hear Janis "sing the blues" with Bobby within the hour. It doesn't really matter, though: "feeling near as faded as my jeans" is a fabulous line, no matter who sings it. Me and Bobby McGee Written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster Recorded by Roger Miller Released as a single, 1969 (Also recorded by the Statler Brothers, Kenny Rogers & the First Edition, Gordon Lightfoot, Bill Haley, and yes, Janis Joplin) Bobby shared the secrets of my soul: