Kris Kristofferson - Closer To The Bone - Official

Rolling Stone Magazine - Kris Kristofferson: An Outlaw at 80 - Neil Strauss   June 6, 2016

To spark his memory, Kristofferson has been going through all these old songs again. A box set of his first 11 albums, The Complete Monument & Columbia Album Collection, due on June 10th, rests on the counter. He has been listening to it album by album to get reacquainted with his life's work.

"It just takes you back like a picture of something would," he says.

I bring him the box set. He examines the sleeves of each disc, which are designed like the original vinyl album covers.

"I was also interested in seeing if they still sounded good to me," he continues. "I've been pleasantly surprised, particularly with this one."

He points to his third album, Border Lord. "I can remember at the time being so disappointed at the reception it got."

His wife sits to his left and looks at him, beaming at his recall. "To me, the song is what matters, not necessarily the performances," he says as he moves a napkin to examine a picture of him in his twenties, looking disheveled in his meager Nashville bedroom.

"Just the words and melody – that's what moves your emotions." 

"Closer To The Bone"
 

Ain't it kinda funny Ain't it just the way though
Ain't 'cha gettin' better Runnin' out of time
Making pretty music Closer to your feelings
Working on the reason Running on the rhyme

Heading for the highway Rolling like a river
Soaring like an eagle Skippin' like a stone
Comin' from the heartbeat Nothin' but the truth now
Everything is sweeter CLOSER TO THE BONE

Ain't afraid of moonlight Ain't afraid of freedom
Love will make you crazy But your soul will keep you sane
Singing to the starlight Over the horizon
Open to the pleasure Equal to the pain

Heading for the highway Rolling like a river
Soaring like an eagle Skippin' like a stone
Comin' from the heartbeat Nothin' but the truth now
Everything is sweeter CLOSER TO THE BONE