Jerry Lee Lewis - Me and Bobby McGee

Live in London, in 1983.
ME AND BOBBY McGEE:
"Me and Bobby McGee" is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, originally performed by Roger Miller, but best remembered for Janis Joplin's cover of the song, recorded a few days before her death in October 1970.
In the original version of the song, Bobby is a woman; Janis Joplin, who was a lover and a friend of Kristofferson's from the beginning of her career to her death, changed the gender and a few of the lyrics in her cover. It was the last song she recorded before her untimely death. Kristofferson states he did not write this song for her, but the song is associated with her. Especially, he has said, in the line, "Somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away."
Jerry Lee recorded it in 1971, and it was the flip side of "Would You Take Another Chance on Me".

[@luthermoore2969]

This is simply the best version of Me and Bobby McGee and it's not even close. Jerry owns this song

[@jimfrisk688]

well Janis Joplin's version isnt bad...and many think is the best.

[@erikkops6162]

Amen

[@kevinjudy5489]

Hate to disagree..Janis Joplin did the classic....Very close second..

[@luthermoore2969]

Jerry can't be touched. Yea Janis had a raspy sexy voice from who know what she did but the only one who has anything on Jerry lee is Elvis and that's a fact

[@richardwright8189]

Don’t you love how he turns it into such a personal song

[@arwoldee]

In all seriousness, has anyone else EVER been this good?

[@shirleywooley2489]

Never!!!!

[@mattkoch692]

Not even close

[@martinwyatt6390]

And NEVER will

[@user-ig2rs2mj7f]

No one has ever been nor will be as good as JerryLee❤

[@dangaines405]

No one, I mean no one, can play piano like Jerry Lee!

[@ArtJorgensen]

I spent an hour or so listening to and watching every version of this song I could find. For pure excitement, musical enjoyment and fantastic singing, no one comes close to Jerry Lee. And that's not even mentioning the awesome piano!!! This man is the performer of the century!

[@FISHMUSIC4U]

I second that emotion

[@kevinjudy7218]

Art Golfer sooo right. THE MAN

[@simocontugi4237]

You're right! A fantastic version in his style

[@Deontjie]

I did the same thing, and ended up here. Janis and Willie was the worst by far.

[@NirvanaIncNewYork]

Art Golfer He is The Killer, what you expect?

[@bonanzajoe]

I'm 83: The two greatest piano players in my lifetime where Liberace and Jerry Lee lewis.

[@jantyszka1036]

That just passed the "hair on the back of the neck" test. Wow! He's bloody good - *and* he knows it!

[@Erulin68]

He's left handed... one of the few pianists who is, it gives his playing that "I don't know what"........ but god the Man can play

[@happydays8171]

Left handers signals go right to the right, creative side of the brain. When we're doing our creative things, our brains lose all track PF time, an hour can go by in 5 min, and we've been in a natural high. A book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" explains it better than I can.

[@Chrisspruce1]

He's not left handed at all. He's right handed. Check out other videos where he is signing autographs or playing guitar.

[@BillMcGirr]

I realize this comment is 12 YEARS late. I’m a natural lefty. But as a guitar player I always figured my left hand was carrying the weight of forming complex chords. My right was working with finger picking and actual PICKing. But not as hard as my left. While I’m NO piano/keyboard player. (Only songwriting) It seems to be the OPPOSITE. The right hand is by far carrying the heavy work.🤷‍♂️ It ain’t easy being a natural lefty.🤣🤣🤣👍🥃🎸 Best wishes to everyone.👍

[@Erulin68]

@@BillMcGirr Tell me about it. My parents couldn't afford a left handed guitar so they got my a regular one. 42 years later I still play right handed.

[@BillMcGirr]

@@Erulin68 Good stuff. Guitar playing is the ONLY thing I do “right” handed. But like I said… it always felt natural to me.🤷‍♂️👍🥃😊

[@TheBoudine]

The likes of Jerry Lee Lewis we'll never see again in a million years - not ever, period. JLL is The Undefeated R 'n R Warrior of All Times whoever the challenger may be, he is second to no one. Navaho

[@bobbeck2743]

How right you are. Pure genius

[@luthermoore2969]

I've said it and I'll say it again. Jerry Lee Lewis is the King of Rock n Roll period.

[@martinwyatt6390]

Yes, Jerry Lee Lewis, He came Second to None

[@Hogo-Fogo-Kapitan]

@@martinwyatt6390 Ошибаетесь, он номер 1 и только потом идут Чак Берри, Литтл Ричард, а Элвис вообще, где-то во второй десятке.

[@devakikaren]

Kristofferson told Jerry Lee his version of Bobby McGee is his favorite. Still reeling from the huge loss of Jerry Lee. Am here in Louisiana and just a couple of hrs from Ferriday wch brings it even closer to home. So very sad. Thank God for You Tube so we can listen again & again to all his life's work.

[@ManOfSteel607]

Man, I never even envisioned "Me and Bobby McGee" as a boogie woogie piano tune, but of course The Killer does it! Dad gum that man rocks.

[@Troy1g]

Like no other!

[@andyecheandia8375]

This could perhaps be his BEST overall concert performance.

[@argopunk]

I think Jerry did this song the best of all.

[@NinjaBooKitty]

God my Daddy drove me nuts growing up listening to this. and then my friends and I were lost in Texas and ended up at Billy Bob's one night and guess who the hell was playing!! And it was SUCH a rocking good time - called my Dad collect from the show lol

[@steveperreira5850]

Great story, that was fine, you called your dad!

[@claudedupras2492]

You're Dad was so happy for you.that night. God bless

[@lovemyrainbowgold]

no one is as brilliant as this . no one even comes close

[@ogminor]

Did you know that this guy didn't even have lessons? He learned EVERY song ON HIS OWN... incredible : )

[@robertstehli7032]

+Gracie Minor Who on earth could have taught him to do that anyway?

[@ogminor]

+Robert Stehli i have no idea 😂

[@USA24541]

Actually his aunt taught The Killer how to play. She also taught his first cousins Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart. All three play with very similar styles if you listen to them you will hear it.

[@AnnaLVajda]

I love him he raises my spirits.

[@kathyhenderson1950]

@@USA24541 SWAGGART,?????? NO COMPARISON WHAT SO EVER.!!!!!!!

[@genenovak2717]

A musical genius in is own right,

[@cpa441]

that is who the piano was made for, the one and only Jerry Lee.

[@katiebolger]

u said it

[@Qdelcoco]

Yeah man

[@pennydavis2637]

cpa441 Agree

[@kevineydmann5976]

Is that not the greatest piano playing ever? What a man. What a talent.

[@jw193837]

The man is brilliant.

[@flashtheoriginal]

Oh my god I have just heard the news that His Majesty Jerry Lee has died. RIP. And THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING There will never be another. Im so sad, feels like I have lost a close friend. Oh my..... As long as I have been alive, this man has entertained me.

[@tonyhawkes2040]

He still lives in me👍

[@redicic]

i think that there are no words to describe this performance!!

[@adrianotero7963]

Such talent and he could not read music..... makes it more incredible......

[@tupregunta]

This guy can pick up any song and make it rock.

[@JayRyanBeretti]

The best for sure ! And the best version as well !! Finally, i think Jerry Lee Lewis created the Classical Music Rock'N'Roll style ! His left hand is pure Rock'n'roll while his right hand plays like Mozart !!! Unique.

[@1pattaya]

Unreal ability. Amazing.

[@Wwerner25]

Wooow what the hell was that?? I never could have been able to imagine that something like this is possible! I love this song and i like this version very much!

[@genenovak2717]

This is a masterpiece!

[@OldJoeClarke]

Like others, I have not seen a better pianist in any genre than this man and this one song is the pinnacle of his career.

[@janathmer2587]

Jerry Lee Lewis at his very best! Unique piano stylist. Fantastic!!

[@puertecitos6888]

Jerry Lee Lewis is the " Beethoven" of rock n roll!

[@swinedance]

Never thought of it that way, but yes.

[@iberius9937]

More like the LIZST of Rock and Roll!

[@kathyhenderson1950]

Best version EVER Killer !!!

[@joanneloesner1264]

Well said 🎶🎶🎶

[@gregoryjacobson1199]

Very well put! Long live the Killer!

[@penelopelopez8296]

This man is so frigging talented it blows my mind. I could listen to him all day, every day.

[@drjohna2d]

Jerry Lee is in a class alone. I've seen him in concert years ago and I will never forget how great he was. Rock on Jerry Lee .

[@garyjdixon7282]

Yes John, a class of his own is a check because I have him rated as the number #1 greatest PIANO PLAYER EVER and the Country Music Hall Of Fame should close their doors if they don't let the only surviving member of the "Million Dollar Quartet" in their HALL ! Jerry Lee had it ALL including his KICK ASS VOCALS !

[@claush7492]

When, oh when will that '83 concert be re-mastered and put out on Blu-Ray? Jerry in absolute top form, that I would pay for in a heartbeat.

[@mikecole30820]

Because Jerry Lee doing Bobby Mcgee is what everybody needs in 2020!

[@thomashall9182]

A musical genius, my idol since 1957, is now gone forever but never forgotten.

[@andyecheandia8375]

Musical genius is an UNDERSTATEMENT. If not for London 1958, who knows how BIG he COULD have been.

[@billleyland128]

@@andyecheandia8375 I agree, I genuinely believe that Jerry could not understand why he was causing all this fuss when he visited England.

[@andyecheandia8375]

@@billleyland128 Think about it. Around that same time Loretta Lynn had gotten married at the same age as Myra. Except she stayed within the regional area, Jerry lee was National. In Jerry’s area of the country MANY had married young, he just wasn’t sophisticated enough to understand

[@billleyland128]

@@andyecheandia8375 Well, as Myra says in the film, ''One girl got married at 9.'' I don't remember all this fuss when 14-year-old Priscilla went to live with Elvis.

[@andyecheandia8375]

@@billleyland128 only difference with Elvis was it wasn’t publicized

[@martinwyatt6390]

The undisputed king of Rock 'n'Roll

[@spiderbowels]

Jerry Lee Lewis you have left a massive void in Rock & Roll and it's going to be hard if not impossible to fill.. Rest in Peace.

[@mikedaviot9979]

Complete ownership. Ludicrously brilliant. Incomprehensible talent. Astounding!

[@DaveMcE]

Best rendition of this song.

[@sxnxbxll4116]

This is definitely the hardest workin' version of this song. The talented Jerry Lee always incorporating his own sound in every single song.

[@flashtheoriginal]

Woah there, woah. England LOVES Jerry Lee. I am an Englishman and I am not alone in stating that he was, is and always will be the KING. Rock n roll will always own him a huge debt of gratitude. MAGNIFICENT talent of a loner who rocks on the wild side. I am privileged to have heard his music and I thank him, and the USA for that. Out

[@alepou18]

I absolutely agree.Jerry Lee should be an inspiration for all of us.Its not just the music,its his passion...His passion made his music what it is.You see man up the stage literally giving it all for it!He deserves to be recognised!

[@russmerrick88]

Of all of Jerry's performances over 60 years I've seen either live or on tape, Hammersmith '83 is my favourite. Everything just seems right - Jerry's mood, his voice, the piano, the sound, the venue, the band, the song choices....and Bobby McGee sums it all up. Incredible. Just wish CBS would release this performance on DVD so I don't have to hook up the VHS everytime I want to watch it!

[@ElBrandenBrazil]

GENIUS!!! And I am an hardcore Janis Joplin fan! BRILLIANT!!!

[@lesliedoty-munson1539]

The very best version. Jerry Lee is the King.

[@vanessak.1100]

+Leslie Doty-Munson Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis are the kings. The best musicans ever.

[@luthermoore2969]

That is the truth

[@ejoty2468]

The Killer is hotter than a flamethrower. He doesn't have to pour gas in the piano and ignite it for effect, ....his fingers set the keys on fire. Man....I'm still feeling the shivers run down my back and that's ten minutes after listening to the song.

[@2009metisman]

It's shameful that this legend isn't in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

[@Brian-bv3ku]

That's what you get, when you have a couple of idiots making a (bad) decision

[@GrandChloe]

I agree.

[@marti6494]

ONE OF A KIND- NOBODY HAS COME CLOSE TO THIS GREAT TALENT!

[@fabiopaolobarbieri2286]

As Vladimir Horowitz said after he had first heard Art Tatum play: "I came. I listened. I still cannot believe what I heard." This is transcendental.

[@James6953]

I am a fellow pianoman, and the Jerry Lee is my mentor!! rock on Killer!!!!

[@antoniosantorini9355]

He takes every song and makes it his own

[@tonyfreeman1339]

I'm breathless

[@everyb0dych1llout]

NO ONE plays like this. He brings it every time.

[@kitcarmuseum]

awesome piece of performance of the killer.

[@bryanphillips8143]

This is my favorite rendition. This is the best.

[@2009metisman]

Is there anything that JLL cannot sing or make it better? TALENT!

[@nildesembirucu9767]

Bo

[@Mapatipiapas]

He even has a comb in his back pocket!!! He's totally OLD SCHOOL!! God bless Jerry Lee! The last man standing!

[@olaring1]

Must be the best version of that song ever...

[@geo2301able]

The hands down best version of this song! The definition of rock n roll!

[@smcgregor72]

feeling good was easy lord when bob bob bob bb bb bbbby bobby bobbby sang the jerry blues,awesome,what a killer

[@carolbiggs722]

great

[@sherrysutherland5180]

Best Piano player ever!!!

[@marti6494]

THIS INCREDIBLE, ONE-OF-A KIND TALENT WILL NEVER COME AGAIN.

[@joannemcclure3546]

I love how he puts his name in his songs, it cracks me up.

[@hbbeverlymusic]

I agree, Janis' version IS the most famous, but let's remember, Jerry had a #1 with it in Country music the USA, and simultaneously made it into the #40 on the Pop charts here as well.

[@connynielson8686]

Urrrrrmmm..when?

[@penn3224]

"The Killer" could do this song (as well as others) five different ways to Sunday...his band was never quite sure where he was going and for how long he would play...a sometimes out of control entertainer....what a joy to see him live.

[@theoldonecf]

Jerry Lee Lewis OWNED every piece of music he ever touched....I remember his first TV debut... Better as he got older even... amazing...thanks for sharing this rendition.

[@herbvette]

Hang on, kiddies - this is what's Rock and Roll. Jerry Lee will always be The Killer.

[@Nikita0156]

I love how each artist puts their own spin on this song, however this is my favorite version....there is so much going on with the melody. The song keeps getting better and better. I also like his rendition of Frankie and Johnny.

[@antoniosantorini9355]

he just mastered that song that became his the second he started playing

[@quilt2100]

Jerry Lee Is the best ever

[@wiffley]

the best version of this song ever done!

[@tjscott395]

The Killer claims another one! Ain't no goin' slow when you're Jerry Lee! LEGEND!!!

[@Broadclystboy]

I love all of Jerrys stuff from the beginning - this is magnificent and him at his best. Only wish I had been there

[@williamroderick6201]

JLL is the greatest piano player who ever lived. It is nice to see a fellow left hander doing so well.

[@aattura1541]

I always thought Janis Joplin was the only one to sing this--- WOWWW! WAS I WRONG!! This is bodacious to the max!!!!

[@brianbytheocean]

well, Kris Kristofferson wrote it and sang it a bunch of times too.

[@connynielson8686]

Didnt he punch janis just for saying hello...seems a jealous person imo

[@mackrufus]

Fantastic

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.

[@mattkoch692]

As Sam Phillips said, .'he was a musical genius'.

[@Mylapoole30]

If Tom Jones one of the Greatest Singers calls Jerry Lee Lewis his Mentor and Elvis his second...Then YEA! JERRY LEE LEWIS IS AN INCREDIBLE ORIGINAL ICONIC SINGER/ENTERTAINER AND TO THIS DAY NO ONE SOUNDS OR HAS A STYLE EVEN SIMILAR TO HIS....HE'LL ALWAYS BE REMEBERED...ESPECIALLY BY PEOPLE LIKE ME AND TOM JONES...PROFESSIONAL SINGER/MUSICIANS/PERFORMERS. So take that to the Bank.....!

[@musicatiranna553]

woww woww woowwww .spettacolare. dopo janis c'è lui!!!! grande!!!!

[@bennyjazzful]

ONLY 1,000,000 TIMES BETTER. CAN'T YOU APPRECIATE A GENIUS LIKE JERRY LEE

[@markb4848]

Turn it up Killer and make it roll ! 👍🏼

[@Zylinderheadfire]

the best Rockn roll boogie King jerry lee lewis

[@wilfsmith6501]

Whose the greatest? Jerry Lee Lewis!

[@davidgrice702]

yes,yes,yes,what a performer

[@LarzGustafsson]

THIS is the King of rock'n'roll. No doubt about that.

[@redblack8414]

RIP Jerry Lee. There will never be another one like you. 🎹 💔

[@tunenut122]

Has this guy got talent or not!!! Only one Jerry Lee.

[@alexandruvictor9316]

Good job Andreu...BRAVOOOOOOO Mr Lewis...

[@leofarnley]

Absolute Showman!!!!!!! Love how he winds it up at 1.20 The Killer indeed !

[@claudedupras2492]

Jerry Lee the voice and hands that all piano and microphone wants. Wow

[@sabineb.5616]

Art Golfer, I could listen to that song all day long. Janis Joplin's version stands out of course and touches me most, and Willy Nelson has a great rendition. Pink's version isn't half bad either. While I love the guy as an actor, Kris Kristofferson's Versions always put me to sleep. But Jerry Lee's electric performance wakes me up again and has become my favorite performance.

[@rudolphbondefangerer5513]

But then, Janis Joplins version was clipped together after her death, she never sang that song like that, it was just bits and pieces (of her heart) from demos and rehersals cut together. Sad but true. The other song unfinished when she died, Buried alive in the blues, went on the record as an instrumental.

[@sabineb.5616]

@@rudolphbondefangerer5513 , I didn't know that! Interesting fact about one of the greatest songs ever. I know that there is a filmed live performance. I have seen it somewhere on a youtube channel many years ago. But the quality is poor, and I am not a fan of Janis Joplin's excesses. I always liked "Me And Bobby McGee" because it's one of her more subtle renditions, and it't all the better for it.

[@BW1875]

Don’t get better than this

[@mattkoch692]

They adored him in England as is exemplified in this performance. Love how the crowd roared at the end when he simply says, "Coca-Cola"!

[@tonycarey9731]

I've never seen this cover before - Well! That was DIFFERENT! ROCK-ON!!

[@Katwinser1958]

I love this man’s music. He was so talented

[@2009metisman]

Man, the Killer owns every song he sings, another amazing performance.....give him a 10.

[@thestoryplease]

Jerry Rocks! (And with allotta soul) Go Jerry GO!