Billy Dee
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics

Billy Dee was seventeen when he turned twenty-one
Billy Dee had a lot of growing up to do but he was in a rush to be older.

Fooling with some foolish things he could've left alone
Billy Dee was making some bad choices despite knowing better.

But he had to try to satisfy a thirst he couldn't name
Billy Dee was searching for something he couldn't put into words.

Driven towards the darkness by the devil in his veins
Billy Dee was struggling with inner demons that were leading him down a dark path.

All around the honky tonks, searching for a sign
Billy Dee spent a lot of time in bars, looking for answers to his problems.

Gettin' by on gettin' high on women, words and wine
Billy Dee was relying on drugs, women, and alcohol to get through life.

Some folks called him crazy, Lord, and others called him free
People had different opinions about Billy Dee, some thought he was wild, while others considered him free-spirited.

But we just called us lucky for the love of Billy Dee
Despite his flaws, Billy Dee's friends considered themselves fortunate to have him in their lives.

Busy goin' his own way and speakin' his own words
Billy Dee was a unique individual, who didn't follow anyone else's path.

Facin' and forgettin' every warnin' that he heard
Billy Dee was ignoring any advice or warnings he received, and doing things his own way.

Makin' friends and takin' any crazy chance he could
Despite his recklessness, Billy Dee was still able to make friends and take risks.

Gettin' busted for the bad times and believin' in the good
Billy Dee experienced some low moments, but he never lost hope that things would get better.

Billy took a beatin' from a world, he meant no harm
Despite his flaws, Billy Dee was generally a kind-hearted person, who didn't deserve everything that happened to him.

The score was written in the scars up on his arm
Billy Dee had physical scars that showed the struggles he faced in his life.

Some felt he was payin' for the life he tried to lead
Some people thought that Billy Dee's problems were due to his own choices.

But all we felt was sorry for our good friend Billy Dee
His friends felt sad for Billy Dee, and wished things could have turned out differently.

It may be his soul was bigger than a body's oughta be
Billy Dee had a strong spirit that was difficult to contain in his physical body.

Singin' songs and bringin' laughter to the likes of you and me
Despite his problems, Billy Dee was still able to make people happy through his music and humor.

Cause the world he saw was sadder than the one he hoped to find
Billy Dee was disappointed by the world he lived in, and always hoped for something better.

But it wasn't near as lonesome as the one he left behind
Although he felt lonely in life, it was nothing compared to how lonely he must have felt in death.

Yesterday they found him on the floor of his hotel
Billy Dee died alone in his hotel room.

Reachin' towards the needle, Lord, that drove him down to Hell
Billy Dee died from a drug overdose, which took him to his untimely death.

Some folks called it suicide, others blame the speed
There were different stories surrounding Billy Dee's death, some people thought it was an intentional suicide, while others blame the drugs he was on.

But we all called it crucified when Billy Dee O.D.'d
Billy Dee's friends saw his death as a tragic crucifixion, as though he was a martyr for his struggles.