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
If It's All The Same To You
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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'Cause it takes one to really understand
And I watched him try to walk the line
Between what's wrong and right
And knew that fool was gonna fall again
[Chorus:]
Ah, but the fool I've been ain't nothing like the fool I'd be
Because, you know, it never was too far from love to make believe
And I'll be leavin', if it's all the same to you
It's hard to lead a friend in need of somethin' hard to face
'Cause simple truth ain't simple when it's sad
And misery loves company, but, Lord, it's such a waste
To go on throwin' good love after bad
[Chorus]
Yes, I'll be leavin', 'cause it's all the same to you
Kris Kristofferson's song "If It's All The Same To You" is a song about understanding and moving on. The opening lines of the song reveal that the singer has listened to a friend who is going through some tough time, which shows that he is a good listener and cares about his friend's problems. The song suggests that this friend has been in similar situations before, and the singer understands what his friend is going through. The chorus says that the singer doesn't want to be that person who keeps believing in dreams that never come true. He's learned from his previous experiences and wants to leave if it's all the same to his friend.
The second verse of the song talks about how it's hard to help a friend who's going through a tough time. Sometimes, the truth is hard to face, and it's easier to wallow in misery. However, the singer realizes that it's a waste of time and effort to keep throwing good love after bad. The chorus repeats, and the singer says he wants to leave because it's all the same to his friend.
Overall, the song is a message of hope and understanding, with a sense of moving on from past mistakes and negative experiences, and being true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I listened to a friend who'd do the same for me last night
I empathized with a friend who would also empathize with me, and I did this last night
'Cause it takes one to really understand
One can only truly understand another
And I watched him try to walk the line
I observed him attempt to balance between two choices
Between what's wrong and right
Between immoral behavior and moral behavior
And knew that fool was gonna fall again
I knew that he would make the same mistake again
Ah, but the fool I've been ain't nothing like the fool I'd be
The foolishness I have displayed is not comparable to the foolishness I might exhibit
To keep believin' dreams that don't come true
To continue hoping for things that are unlikely to happen
Because, you know, it never was too far from love to make believe
Love and imagination can be closely related
And I'll be leavin', if it's all the same to you
I will be departing if you do not object
It's hard to lead a friend in need of somethin' hard to face
It is difficult to support a friend who needs to confront a difficult issue
'Cause simple truth ain't simple when it's sad
Simple truth can be complicated when it is unpleasant
And misery loves company, but, Lord, it's such a waste
Misery likes to have company, but it is ultimately unproductive
To go on throwin' good love after bad
To keep offering love unsuccessfully
Yes, I'll be leavin', 'cause it's all the same to you
Indeed, I am departing because you have no objections
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind