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
I'd Rather Be Sorry
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a lifetime of many mistakes.
But I won't spend tomorrow regretting the past
For the chances that I didn't take.
'Cause I'll never know 'til it's over
If I'm right or I'm wrong loving you,
But I'd rather be sorry for something I've done
Than for something that I didn't do.
Tomorrow won't take you away
But I'd gamble whatever tomorrow might bring
For the love that I'm living today.
'Cause I'll never know 'til it's over
If I'm right or I'm wrong loving you,
But I'd rather be sorry for something I've done
Than for something that I didn't do.
I know someday that I may wake up all alone
When the love I believed in has died
But at least I won't wonder what I might have won
>From the lifetime that I watched going by
'Cause I'll never know 'til it's over
If I'm right or I'm wrong loving you,
But I'd rather be sorry for something I've done
Than for something that I didn't do.
The lyrics of I'd Rather Be Sorry by Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge deal with the theme of taking chances in love and not regretting missed opportunities. The singer is willing to take the risk of getting hurt in the pursuit of love because the alternative of not trying at all is worse. The opening lines acknowledge that the singer has made mistakes in the past and is no stranger to heartbreak but is willing to take the risk again. The chorus expresses the sentiment of not knowing how things will turn out but being willing to take responsibility for their decisions, even if it results in some level of regret.
The second verse delves deeper into the gamble of investing in love. The singer acknowledges that there is a chance that the love they are currently experiencing might not last and that they may wake up one day alone, but this possibility is not enough to dissuade them from taking the chance. They would rather take the risk and embrace the present moment than live with the uncertainty of what could have been.
Overall, the lyrics of I'd Rather Be Sorry convey a message of living fully in the moment and taking chances in love, even if things don't always work out in our favor.
Line by Line Meaning
If you hurt me, you won't be the first or the last
I have made many mistakes in my life and been hurt before.
But I won't spend tomorrow regretting the past
I will not dwell on my past mistakes and let them ruin my future.
For the chances that I didn't take.
I don't want to regret not taking a chance at something that could bring me happiness.
'Cause I'll never know 'til it's over
I won't know if my love for you was right or wrong until it's too late.
If I'm right or I'm wrong loving you,
I am not sure if loving you is the right decision, but I will not regret taking the chance.
But I'd rather be sorry for something I've done
I would rather regret doing something than regret not doing it.
Than for something that I didn't do.
I don't want to regret not taking a chance at love and wonder what could have been.
When you touch me it's easy to make me believe
I am easily convinced that our love is real when you touch me.
Tomorrow won't take you away
I hope that we will be together tomorrow and our love will continue.
But I'd gamble whatever tomorrow might bring
I am willing to take a risk with our love and not worry about what tomorrow may bring.
For the love that I'm living today.
I am happy with the love we have today and will enjoy it while it lasts.
I know someday that I may wake up all alone
I am aware that our love may not last forever and I may be alone someday.
When the love I believed in has died
If our love ends, it will be painful because I believed in it so much.
But at least I won't wonder what I might have won
I will not regret not taking a chance with our love and will know that I gave it my all.
>From the lifetime that I watched going by
I will not regret watching my life pass me by without taking risks and living fully.
'Cause I'll never know 'til it's over
Again, I won't know if our love was right or wrong until it's too late.
If I'm right or I'm wrong loving you,
I am unsure if my love for you is right, but I will not regret giving it a chance.
But I'd rather be sorry for something I've done
I would rather regret doing something than regret not doing it.
Than for something that I didn't do.
I don't want to regret not taking a chance at love and wonder what could have been.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KRISTOFFER KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Akanesi Sitani
Always love when Kris n Rita ...sing their voice matching perfectly
Catherine S. Todd
I had no idea Karen Black could sing! They actually sound great together... Thanks for uploading! Really enjoyed this.
joseph lemko
Great song from a truly underrated film
efrainl956
What a treasure! Thanks for including the demo!
Louise Lelievre
Love it!
touttamoi
This one gets my vote. What album or movie does this version come from?
Pat Edwards
Thanks T. I've never heard this version before and I like it better than the Rita duet also.
John Howieson
Cisco pike
helen heeney
Gosh that man is amazing 👏
bob joe
Most beautiful man ever.