Kristoffer Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an American singer-songwri… Read Full Bio ↴Kristoffer Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Among his songwriting credits are the songs "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night", all of which were hits for other artists.

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

You Show Me Yours /Stranger
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics

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If you're feeling salty, then I'm your tequila
If you've got the freedom I've got the time
There ain't nothing sweeter than naked emotions
So you show me yours, hon, and I'll show you mine

No ma'm I know this ain't all that you've ever been used to
You with your rings on your fingers and time on your hands
Sometimes it's nice to have somebody nice to be close to

God knows I've been there before you and I understand

I wish that I was the answer to all of your questions
God knows I know you wish you were the answer to mine
Darling if you ain't a thing but a change in direction
Lord don't you know you'd be somethin' I'm lucky to find

I wish that I was the answer to all of your questions
God knows I know you wish you were the answer to mine
Darling if you ain't a thing but a change in direction
Lord don't you know you'd be somethin' I'm lucky to find

So you show me yours and I'll show you mine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kris Kristofferson's song You Show Me Yours/Stranger express a romantic interest's willingness to open up and be vulnerable with their partner. The singer is enthusiastically encouraging their love interest to be honest and genuine with them, assuring them that they will reciprocate in kind. The lyrics suggest that there is nothing more desirable in a relationship than emotional honesty and transparency.

The second verse seems to empathize with the love interest's potential reservations or doubts. The singer recognizes that the love interest may be used to more lavish and perhaps shallow experiences, but also recognizes the desire for genuine human connection that exists beneath the surface. The singer is offering themselves as a way to fulfill that desire.

The chorus repeats the line "I wish that I was the answer to all of your questions" twice, and then concludes with "Darling if you ain't a thing but a change in direction/Lord don't you know you'd be somethin' I'm lucky to find." Overall, the song expresses a deep yearning for emotional intimacy and is an homage to the beauty of vulnerability in human relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

If you're feeling salty, then I'm your tequila
If you're feeling agitated or irritated, I can be the perfect drink to calm you down and make you feel better

If you've got the freedom I've got the time
If you're free to spend time with me, then I have all the time in the world to devote to you

There ain't nothing sweeter than naked emotions
Being completely honest and vulnerable with each other is the most beautiful and intimate thing we can do

So you show me yours, hon, and I'll show you mine
Let's be open and honest with each other about our feelings and emotions

No ma'm I know this ain't all that you've ever been used to
I understand that this may not be what you're used to or expect from a relationship

You with your rings on your fingers and time on your hands
You may have been married or in relationships before, but now you're single and have free time

Sometimes it's nice to have somebody nice to be close to
It can be comforting to have someone to be intimate with and share your feelings with

God knows I've been there before you and I understand
I have been in similar situations before and can empathize with how you're feeling

I wish that I was the answer to all of your questions
I want to be able to solve all of your problems and make everything better for you

God knows I know you wish you were the answer to mine
I understand that you want to be able to help me just as much as I want to help you

Darling if you ain't a thing but a change in direction
Even if you're not sure what you're looking for or what your future holds, being with you would be a positive change in my life

Lord don't you know you'd be somethin' I'm lucky to find
You would be a wonderful and valuable addition to my life if we were together

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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