In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in forming the country music supergroup The Highwaymen, and formed a key creative force in the outlaw country music movement that eschewed the Nashville music machine in favor of independent songwriting and producing. In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. As an actor, he is known for his roles in Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973), Blume in Love (1973), Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), A Star Is Born (1976) (which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor), Convoy (1978), Heaven's Gate (1980) and Blade (1998).
Kristofferson has said that he would like the first three lines of Leonard Cohen's "Bird on the Wire" on his tombstone:
Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
Eye of the Storm
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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Maybe they tore you apart
Maybe she shrugged off your finest emotions
Carelessly walked on your heart
Life ain't for sissies and you ain't no sissy boy
And only the strongest survive
Bad love is better than no love at all at least you know you're alive
And you're free to be easy and warm
'Cause from here to the end is what matters my friend
And you're right at the peak of your form
Still in the eye of the storm
Maybe you tried something too hard to handle
And maybe you took you a fall
Is it true that if not for the pain that you're feeling
It wouldn't have mattered at all
(Tell the truth) all there is left between living
And dying is loving or leaving alone
You can take it or leave it but make up your mind
Or fall on your ass on your own
And just thank God you still got your feelings
And you're free to be easy and warm
'Cause from here to the end is what matters my friend
And you're right at the peak of your form
Still in the eye of the storm
The song "Eye of the Storm" by Kris Kristofferson is a reflection on resilience and finding strength in the face of heartbreak and adversity. The lyrics describe a person who has been hurt by someone they loved, perhaps because they believed the lies that were told to them. Despite the pain and the emotional damage caused by this failed relationship, the singer refuses to be defeated. They acknowledge that life is tough, but they consider themselves strong and capable of surviving.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of embracing any kind of love rather than being alone. The line "Bad love is better than no love at all at least you know you're alive" suggests that even though the love they experienced may have been flawed and ultimately damaging, it is still better than not experiencing love at all. It implies that even in the midst of heartbreak, there is a sense of being alive and connected.
The second verse introduces the idea of taking risks and facing the consequences. It acknowledges that sometimes we may try things that are challenging and even fail miserably, but the pain we experience in those moments ultimately adds meaning to our lives. The line "Is it true that if not for the pain that you're feeling, it wouldn't have mattered at all" suggests that the pain is an essential part of the human experience and that without it, our existence would be devoid of significance.
Overall, "Eye of the Storm" is a song about finding strength within oneself, even in the midst of chaos and heartbreak. It encourages resilience, embracing love in all its forms, and accepting the pain that comes with it as a necessary part of living fully.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe you bought all the lies that she told you
Perhaps you believed all the false stories she told you
Maybe they tore you apart
Possibly, they caused you great emotional pain
Maybe she shrugged off your finest emotions
Perhaps she dismissed your deepest feelings
Carelessly walked on your heart
Nonchalantly disregarded your emotions
Life ain't for sissies and you ain't no sissy boy
Life can be difficult, but you are not weak
And only the strongest survive
And only the most resilient individuals make it through
Bad love is better than no love at all at least you know you're alive
Even though it may be a bad relationship, it's still preferable to being alone because it makes you feel alive
And just thank God you still got your feelings
Be grateful that you can still experience emotions
And you're free to be easy and warm
You have the freedom to be relaxed and kind-hearted
'Cause from here to the end is what matters my friend
Because what matters is the present moment until the end of your life
And you're right at the peak of your form
And you are currently at the height of your abilities
Still in the eye of the storm
You are still in the midst of chaos and turbulence in life
Maybe you tried something too hard to handle
Maybe you attempted something that was too difficult to manage
And maybe you took you a fall
And maybe you experienced a setback
Is it true that if not for the pain that you're feeling
Is it true that without the pain you are currently experiencing
It wouldn't have mattered at all
None of it would have had any significance
(Tell the truth) all there is left between living
(Tell the truth) all that remains in life
And dying is loving or leaving alone
Is either loving someone or being alone
You can take it or leave it but make up your mind
You have the choice to accept it or reject it, but decide for yourself
Or fall on your ass on your own
Otherwise, you will face the consequences by yourself
And just thank God you still got your feelings
Be grateful that you can still experience emotions
And you're free to be easy and warm
You have the freedom to be relaxed and kind-hearted
'Cause from here to the end is what matters my friend
Because what matters is the present moment until the end of your life
And you're right at the peak of your form
And you are currently at the height of your abilities
Still in the eye of the storm
You are still in the midst of chaos and turbulence in life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind