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
Worth Fighting For
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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Ruby like the wind upon my face
Thunder from a storm on the horizon far away
Ruby cut directly to the chase
She said,
"anywhere you're going baby
You just gotta know I'm on your side. (I always was)
You are bound to let him take you for a ride
All the way."
Chorus:
I know I'm still wild enough for you
And you know you, you can always count on me
Baby, we used to be worth fighting for
So tell me, are we?
Anything like anything we used to be
Or tried to make believe before the fall?
Tell me how the hell you keep your spirit (remember spirit? )
Strong enough to answer to the call
Ruby closed her eyes and faced the heavens
She said, "take me to the stars one more time"
I was doin' eighty, but I pushed her through the floor
And watched her climb
Outta sight, outta mind
Chorus:
I know I'm still wild enough for you
And you know you, you can always count on me
Baby, we used to be worth fighting for
So tell me, are we?
The song "Worth Fighting For" by Kris Kristofferson is a story about two lovers on a road trip to Mexico. The opening lines, "sunset on the highway to old Mexico, ruby like the wind upon my face" paint a vivid picture of the couple driving towards their destination. The character Ruby appears to be fearless and direct in her approach, as she cuts directly to the chase with her lover. She tells him that she is on his side no matter where he is going and that he can always count on her, even if it means taking a wild ride with him.
The chorus of the song is a declaration of their mutual love and devotion, as they both acknowledge that they are still worth fighting for. The song takes a nostalgic turn as they reflect on their past and question if they still have what it takes to keep their spirits strong and answer the call of love. Kris Kristofferson's raw and emotional vocals perfectly capture the depth of their love and longing for each other.
Overall, "Worth Fighting For" is a beautiful love song that explores the complexities of a long-term relationship. It reminds us that love takes work and that sometimes we must fight to keep it alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunset on the highway to old mexico
The singer sets a nostalgic tone by describing a sunset on a road to Mexico that he used to travel on
Ruby like the wind upon my face
The singer compares the wind to a person named Ruby, who he is probably driving with
Thunder from a storm on the horizon far away
There is a storm brewing, which could metaphorically represent the conflict to come in the song
Ruby cut directly to the chase
The person named Ruby is direct and to the point, cutting through any ambiguity or hesitation
"anywhere you're going baby
You just gotta know I'm on your side. (I always was)
When you climb upon the stallion
You are bound to let him take you for a ride
All the way."
Ruby assures the artist that she is on his side no matter where he goes, and warns him that when he takes risks, he must see them through to the end
Chorus:
I know I'm still wild enough for you
And you know you, you can always count on me
Baby, we used to be worth fighting for
So tell me, are we?
The chorus questions whether the relationship is still worth fighting for, and expresses the belief that the two people are still compatible and can depend on each other
Anything like anything we used to be
Or tried to make believe before the fall?
Tell me how the hell you keep your spirit (remember spirit? )
Strong enough to answer to the call
The singer wonders if the relationship can ever be the way it used to be, or if they were just pretending before. He asks how the other person can maintain their drive and motivation to keep fighting for what they want
Ruby closed her eyes and faced the heavens
She said, "take me to the stars one more time"
I was doin' eighty, but I pushed her through the floor
And watched her climb
Outta sight, outta mind
Ruby exhorts the artist to go faster and take risks, and the artist obliges, pushing the car to the limit. Ruby disappears from view, possibly representing how people can lose sight of their goals
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Danny Timms, Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind