Me & Bobby McGee and the Surya Kirans

What I Learnt:

Me & Bobby McGee is one of my favourite songs of all time.

I first heard Kris Kristofferson in 2002 in Mumbai, just after I graduated. My dad had a CD (what?) of his greatest hits and I must have spent hours listening to it while I pondered over what to do next with my life.

I quickly came to love Kris’ scratchy voice and poignant lyrics. Songs like Me & Bobby McGee, Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down, Loving Her Was Easier and The Taker were my favourites. And I still like them.

I think that the lines, “Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose. Nothin’ ain’t worth nothin’ but it’s free.” are the finest that Kristofferson wrote. And for a guy who wrote dozens of great songs, that were sung by many musicians - most of whom had more success with his songs than he did himself - that just says how much these lyrics mean to me.

So imagine my surprise when I found out that while Kris Kristofferson wrote the song (with Fred Foster), it was first performed live by Roger Miller. Almost 18 years after I first heard the song, I learnt something new about it.

I have made my 7 year old son listen to Kris Kristofferson’s version. And he seems to like it. Hopefully, there will be many more versions of this song in the years to come. For yet another generation to discover. And wonder who Bobby was and what happened to her.

What I Like:

Surya Kirans, the Indian Air Force’s aerobatics demonstration team, flying in perfect formation over me while performing for the Aero India 2021 show. Great way to get pumped up while you are on your way to work out.

Jai Hind!