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
Sam's Song
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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I guess things change
And the more they change the more they stay the same
And there ain't no blame
Sometimes the picture just don't fit the frame
And this is where the cowboy yields the floor
I guess things change
And the more they change the more they stay the same
And there ain't no blame
Sometimes the picture just fit the frame
And this is where the cowboy yields the floor
Cause you don't think I'm funny anymore
Did you hear the one about the dirty whore
Oh I forgot... you don't think I'm funny anymore
Kris Kristofferson’s song Sam's Song is a reflection on how relationships can change over time. The opening lines of “I don't think that's funny anymore" sets the tone for the rest of the song. Despite the initial humor, the repeating chorus “I guess things change, and the more they change the more they stay the same, and there ain't no blame, sometimes the picture just don't fit the frame” circles back to the melancholy realization that things are just not the same anymore, and perhaps it's time to move on.
The lines “And this is where the cowboy yields the floor, Cause you don't think I'm funny anymore” are a nod to the traditional "cowboy" persona of being tough and unfeeling, but even that can't withstand the power of change that comes with time. The song goes on to address a failed attempt at humor, with “Did you hear the one about the dirty whore, Oh I forgot... you don't think I'm funny anymore.” The irony is that it's the attempt at humor that highlights the underlying sadness of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't think that's funny anymore
I have changed my opinion and do not find that amusing
I guess things change
Time passes and circumstances alter
And the more they change the more they stay the same
Despite transformations, some things remain constant
And there ain't no blame
There is no fault to be assigned
Sometimes the picture just don't fit the frame
Occasionally circumstances do not match expectations
And this is where the cowboy yields the floor
The singer concedes defeat or gives up the spotlight
Cause you don't think I'm funny anymore
The listener no longer finds the singer amusing or entertaining
Did you hear the one about the dirty whore
A crude joke is about to be told
Oh I forgot... you don't think I'm funny anymore
The artist realizes the joke will not be appreciated and abandons it
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIE NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind