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
Smokey Put The Sweat On Me
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New York City to the Golden Gate
I've lived with some, and buddy, I loved 'em all. (Yes, I did)
But no one woman had a claim on me
'Cause I still had a lotta world to see
And I sometimes stagger, but sugar, I seldom fall.
Then like a hungry man, I went to Louisiana
Where the lovin' and the livin' was good
A lotta women and wine and not a tie to bind me
And behaving just as cool as I could
'Til that long legged, sweet walkin' ravenhaired cajun lookin'
Devil put the sweat on me
They call her Smokey, she's a little bit-a evil
Smokey, right as wrong can be.
Smokey, she could shake the very devil
Smokey put the sweat on me.
Oh, my pulse is a beatin' to the clickety clack
Of this one-way ride that's gonna take me back
And my body's just a-breathin' in that Mississippi River smell
Well, my feet wasn't ready yet for settling down
But my soul kept tellin' me to turn around
And the longer I tried to fight it, the harder I fell
And like a hungry man, I went to Louisiana
Where the lovin' and the livin' is good
I'll get a brand new bride and be as satisfied as I can be
And I won't even mind the world I'm leavin' behind
Because I never really thought that I could
'Til that long legged, sweet walkin' ravenhaired cajun looking devil
Put the sweat on me.
They call her Smokey, she's a little bit-a evil
Smokey, right as wrong can be
Smokey, she could shake the very devil
Smokey put the sweat on me
Smokey put the sweat on me
Awww, Smokey put the sweat on me.
Kris Kristofferson's song "Smokey Put The Sweat On Me" is a story about a man who has traveled all over the country and has encountered many women but has not found the one to settle down with. He finds himself in Louisiana where he finally meets a woman who captures his heart. This woman is called Smokey and she puts the sweat on him. The singer is initially resistant to settling down but Smokey's charm and allure eventually win him over. He describes her as a little bit of evil, but right as wrong can be. The man initially attempts to resist the pull of Smokey, but ultimately he succumbs to her.
The song is essentially a ballad about the power of love and how it can transform even the most commitment-phobic individuals. The singer has been around and seen it all and yet, he still longs for something more. It is Smokey who awakens this desire within him and causes him to reevaluate his choices. This is a common theme in Kristofferson's work, which often features characters who are searching for meaning and purpose in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I've known some women in every state
I have encountered women from every state in America.
New York City to the Golden Gate
From the big city of New York to the Golden Gate Bridge in California, I've met women all across the country.
I've lived with some, and buddy, I loved 'em all. (Yes, I did)
I have lived with some of these women, and I had love in my heart for every single one of them.
But no one woman had a claim on me
I was never tied down or committed to one specific woman.
'Cause I still had a lotta world to see
I wanted to explore and experience more of the world before settling down.
And I sometimes stagger, but sugar, I seldom fall.
I may have stumbled along the way, but I never completely fell apart.
Then like a hungry man, I went to Louisiana
I was restless and eager for more, so I traveled to Louisiana.
Where the lovin' and the livin' was good
I found a place that had good love and good living.
Without a care to hide and just as satisfied as I could be.
I had no worries or fears, and I was as content as I could be.
A lotta women and wine and not a tie to bind me
I had many women and plenty of wine, and I was not held down by any commitments.
And behaving just as cool as I could
I maintained a cool and collected persona while I was there.
'Til that long legged, sweet walkin' ravenhaired cajun lookin'
However, that all changed when I met a certain woman.
Devil put the sweat on me
This woman had a powerful and intoxicating effect on me.
They call her Smokey, she's a little bit-a evil
This woman's name is Smokey, and she has a bit of a mischievous side.
Smokey, right as wrong can be.
Despite her mischievous tendencies, she was alluring and irresistible.
Smokey, she could shake the very devil
This woman could have an effect on even the most unshakeable people.
Smokey put the sweat on me.
Smokey had a strong and lasting impact on me.
Oh, my pulse is a beatin' to the clickety clack
My heart is racing in anticipation of my return journey.
Of this one-way ride that's gonna take me back
I am returning home on a one-way journey with no intention of leaving again.
And my body's just a-breathin' in that Mississippi River smell
I am fully immersed in the environment of the Mississippi River.
Well, my feet wasn't ready yet for settling down
I was not quite ready to settle down and commit to one person.
But my soul kept tellin' me to turn around
Despite my reluctance, my inner self was urging me to change my ways.
And the longer I tried to fight it, the harder I fell
The more I tried to resist, the more I found myself drawn in.
I'll get a brand new bride and be as satisfied as I can be
I plan to find a new partner and be as content as possible with my life.
And I won't even mind the world I'm leavin' behind
I am ready and willing to leave my old life behind, and I am not bothered by this change.
Because I never really thought that I could
I never thought that I would find someone who could change my ways.
'Til that long legged, sweet walkin' ravenhaired cajun looking devil
But Smokey had a profound effect on me, and I am forever changed because of her.
Put the sweat on me.
Smokey made me work hard and sweat for her, but it was worth it in the end.
Awww, Smokey put the sweat on me.
Overall, Smokey had a powerful and lasting effect on my life and my outlook on love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind