“Why Me“
Kris Kristofferson
Written by Kris Kristofferson
Billboard
#1 (1 week)
July 7, 1973
Kris Kristofferson was rightly celebrated as a once in a generation songwriter, but he was underrated as a singer.
“Why Me” has often been given backhanded praise because of it, with the suggestion that the song’s emotional impact comes from his limitations as a singer, as if the vocal performance somehow reinforces the idea that he’s been blessed beyond his talent and worth.
When listened to within the context of his excellent Jesus Was a Capricorn album, that take just doesn’t hold up. “Why Me” closes out a set that opens with a spot on homage to John Prine and features collaborations with Larry Gatlin and Rita Coolidge where Kristofferson holds his own as a vocalist.
The raw and imperfect vocal on “Why Me” sounds more deliberate in that context, closing out the set with a poignant vulnerability. It clearly was never intended for radio play, and thank goodness, because we likely would’ve gotten a more polished version if it was.
The stark arrangement and cracking in all the right places vocal performance turn it into a confessional, making us feel like we’re listening in on a private, sacred conversation between a grateful, humble man and his God.
It’s all done so well that it’s easy to miss that the answer to his question is right there on the record. Why him, Lord? Because he was really damn good at this.
“Why Me” gets an A.
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