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For the Good Times (song)

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Wikipedia article




"'For the Good Times'" is a song written by Kris Kristofferson, first recorded by singer Bill Nash in 1968 before appearing on Kristofferson's own debut album in April 1970. After a recording by Ray Price became a #1 hit single in June of that year, the song established Kristofferson as one of country and popular music's top songwriters while giving Price his first chart-topping country and western song in 11 years.

"For the Good Times" continued to be recorded by a number of artists in subsequent years, to popular success. It became a staple of soul singer Al Green's concert repertoire in the 1970s, also featuring as a studio recording on his 1972 album 'I'm Still in Love with You'. A version by Perry Como spent 27 weeks on the UK Singles Chart peaking at #7 in August 1973.

Composition



Kristofferson wrote most of the song in 1968 while on a work-related road trip from Nashville to the Gulf of Mexico. It recounts the end of a love affair, based on a real life experience of his, in a manner that popular music scholar Steve Sullivan said "conveys sadness, acceptance, and longing".

Ray Price's recording



An early recording of the song was by Bill Nash on Smash Records in 1968. Kristofferson's own recording appeared on self-titled debut album in April 1970.[http://nodepression.com/album-review/kris-kristofferson-self-titled "Kris Kristofferson - Self-Titled"]. No Depression. Retrieved September 8, 2018. Ray Price recorded it on March 16, 1970, accompanied by an orchestra in Nashville's Columbia Studio A.[http://www.cmt.com/news/1564564/kris-kristofferson-talks-more-about-his-songs/ "Kris Kristofferson Talks More About His Songs"]. CMT. Retrieved September 8, 2018.

Price's recording was released as a single and made its chart debut on June 27, 1970, topping the country and western chart for one week and reaching #11 on the pop singles chart. "For the Good Times" was Price's fifth #1 single and spent 19 weeks on the chart. It was also his only release to hit the Top 40 of the pop chart. Originally Price's label, Columbia Records, had released the song as the "B" side of the single, but switched to promoting "For the Good Times" after Wayne Newton recorded his own version of the tune. The flip side, "Grazin' in Greener Pastures," did receive credit on the country music chart.Roland, Tom, "The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits" (Billboard Books, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 1991 , p. 43.

At the 1971 Academy of Country Music awards, "For the Good Times" won in the category of "Song of the Year" (for Kristofferson as composer) and "Single of the Year" (for Price).[https://books.google.com/books?id=SUUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA53&dq=%22for+the+good+times%22+%22Song+of+the+Year%22+%22Academy+of%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjbxIvzm6vdAhUJrVkKHYk6Db8Q6AEIKzAB#v=onepage&q=%22for%20the%20good%20times%22%20%22Song%20of%20the%20Year%22%20%22Academy%20of%22&f=false Billboard Apr 3, 1971] In 2014, 'Rolling Stone' named Price's recording #18 on its "40 Saddest Country Songs of All Time". Kacey Musgraves has said it "might be the saddest song of all time. It really breaks my heart."

It was featured in television commercials promoting ESPN's coverage of the 2014–15 College Football Playoff.[http://www.kmoo.com/music/31-music-news/4666-ray-prices-for-the-good-times-plays-in-espn-commercial.html "Ray Prices 'For the Good Times' Plays in ESPN Commercial" – KMOO-FM 99.9.][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NFPCXhHgqQ ESPN television commercial promoting 2014–15 College Football Playoff telecasts, courtesy of YouTube.]



Charts



References



Category:1968 songs

Category:1970 singles

Category:Songs written by Kris Kristofferson

Category:Ray Price (musician) songs

Category:Al Green songs

Category:Dean Martin songs

Category:Dolly Parton songs

Category:Elvis Presley songs

Category:Frank Sinatra songs

Category:Jerry Lee Lewis songs

Category:Johnny Cash songs

Category:Kenny Rogers songs

Category:Michael Jackson songs

Category:Perry Como songs

Category:Tennessee Ernie Ford songs

Category:Willie Nelson songs

Category:Andy Williams songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Don Law

Category:Song recordings produced by Jerry Kennedy

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