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
Once More With Feeling
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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Of the parts we've learned to play
Never quite together like before
'Cause somehow darlin' something good
Got lost along the way
And our song ain't nothing
Special anymore
With feeling darlin', take it from the top
Let me feel those tears a fallin' babe
I don't want to miss a single drop
Darlin' make believe your makin'
Me believe each word you say
Try it once more with feeling
And we'll call it a day
Ah you're reachin' out to touch me baby
Just the way you used to do
You're lookin' everywhere but
But in old Jerry's eyes
Well honey, that's an oldy but it's a goody
But them words ain't ringin' true
And you don't seem very sure of your life
So try it one more time with feeling baby
Take it, take it from the top
This one is gonna be the big one honey
They'll give it everything you got
And little everything that I love to give
Before we go our separate ways
And once more with feeling
And we'll call it a day
Kris Kristofferson's song "Once More With Feeling" is a melancholic tune that tells the story of a couple that has lost their spark in their relationship. They're just going through the motions, playing the parts they've learned to play, and not quite together like before. The lyrics suggest that the couple has experienced something good that has been lost along the way, which has resulted in their song being nothing special anymore. However, the singer urges his partner to try it one more time, with feeling, and take it from the top, letting him feel her tears falling so that he doesn't miss a single drop. He wants her to make him believe each word she says and reach out to him again.
The song's melancholic tone is conveyed by the melody's gentle guitar strumming and Kristofferson's forlorn yet tender voice. The lyrics are inclusive of subtly dark expressions that reveal the couple's despair as the relationship crumbles. "Never quite together like before," and "something good got lost along the way," are lines that suggest a relationship that used to be vibrant and alive but has now turned melancholic, loveless, and lifeless. The use of the word "darling" is gentle and tender, increasing the wistful nostalgia of the tune.
Line by Line Meaning
We're just goin' through the motions
We are acting out our roles without passion or enthusiasm
Of the parts we've learned to play
We are just doing what we've always done without really thinking about it
Never quite together like before
We are not synced up or in harmony like we used to be
'Cause somehow darlin' something good
Because somehow, we lost something special between us
Got lost along the way
It disappeared at some point as we went along
And our song ain't nothing
Our relationship is not what it used to be
Special anymore
It has lost its spark and meaning
So try it one more time
Let's give it another shot
With feeling darlin', take it from the top
Let's put some real emotion into it and start fresh from the beginning
Let me feel those tears a fallin' babe
I want to see you really open up and let your emotions show
I don't want to miss a single drop
I don't want to miss a single moment of true feeling between us
Darlin' make believe your makin'
Pretend like you mean it and you're really trying
Me believe each word you say
Convince me that you truly feel what you're saying
Try it once more with feeling
Give it another shot, but let's put our hearts into it
And we'll call it a day
We'll end it on a high note and move on
Ah you're reachin' out to touch me baby
You're trying to connect with me physically
Just the way you used to do
But it's not like it used to be
You're lookin' everywhere but
You're not fully present with me
But in old Jerry's eyes
You're distracted by something else
Well honey, that's an oldy but it's a goody
That's an old phrase, but still true
But them words ain't ringin' true
But the words you're saying don't feel genuine to me
And you don't seem very sure of your life
You don't seem very confident and secure in yourself
This one is gonna be the big one honey
This could be the moment that changes everything
They'll give it everything you got
Give it your all and hold nothing back
And little everything that I love to give
And I will do the same
Before we go our separate ways
Before we move on from each other
And once more with feeling
One last time, with true emotion and passion
And we'll call it a day
And then it will be time to say goodbye
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind