Song by Song: Me and Bobby McGee Quiz

Answer: Kris Kristofferson

Kirs Kristofferson, known for such albums as "The Silver Tongued Devil and I," shares the writing credit for this song with Fred Foster, the founder of Monument Records. Born in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson recorded numerous albums throughout the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

He has also served as a member of the country supergroup the Highwaymen, which included Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.

Answer: Roger Miller

Roger Miller, known for such songs as "King of the Road" and "Chug-a-Lug," was the first artist to record "Me and Bobby McGee" on his album "Roger Miller," which was released by Smash Records in 1969. The song hit number 12 on the U.S. country chart in 1969. Kris Kristofferson later recorded his own version in 1970 on his self-titled debut album.

Answer: Baton Rouge

"Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' for a train
And I's feelin' near as faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
It rode us all the way to New Orleans."

Several versions of "Me and Bobby McGree" were recorded in 1970, including one by Charley Pride on his album "Just Plain Charley" and one by Ramblin' Jack Elliott on his album "Bull Durham Sacks & Railroad Tracks." Bill Haley & His Comets also recorded "Me and Bobby McGee" on "Rock Around the Country."

Answer: Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin died a few days after recording the song in October of 1970 for her album "Pearl." Joplin's version of the song was ranked number 148 by Rolling Stone on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." It was released as a single with "Half Moon" on the B-side.

Answer: Kenny Rogers

This was one of the earliest recorded versions of the song. Other versions also recorded in 1969 included Roy Clark, the Stonemans, and the original performance by Roger Miller. Until 1969, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition was billed simply as the First Edition. Kenny Rogers would go on to achieve fame as a country musician and be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.

Answer: Gordon Lightfoot

The song, recorded on Lightfoot's album "Sit Down Young Stranger," also hit number one on the Canadian country music chart. Born in Ontario, Canada, Gordon Lightfoot is known for such songs as "Ribbon of Darkness," "Early Morning Rain," and "Steel Rail Blues."

Answer: the windshield wipers

Janis Joplin's version of the song runs:

"Windshield wipers slappin' time, I was holdin' Bobby's hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew."

Kris Kristofferson's version is slightly different:

"With them windshield wipers slappin' time and Bobby clappin' hands
We finally sang off every song that driver knew."

Don McLean alluded to Janis Joplin singing this song in "American Pie" when he sang:

"I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away."

Answer: Hank Williams

Hank Williams died in 1953, before the song was written. The Grateful Dead recorded the song in 1971 on "Skull and Roses," while Dolly Parton recorded her version in 2005 on "Those Were the Days." LeAnn Rimes included the song on her 1999 self-titled album.

Answer: Pink

Originally a member of the girl group Choice, Alecia Beth Moore assumed the stage name of Pink. Her debut album, "Can't Take Me Home," was released in 2000.

Answer: Jerry Lee Lewis

The pianist Jerry Lee Lewis, known for such songs as "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," recorded "Me and Bobbie McGee" as the B-side to the single "Would You Take Another Chance on Me" from the album "The Killer Rocks On." His version of the song peaked at number 60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: a harmonica

Harpoon can also be used as a slang word for a hypodermic needle used to shoot up and get high. Harpoon can be shortened to "harp" and a harmonica is also known as a "mouth harp."

Answer: A music row secretary

According to Newswire, a friend of Fred Foster's teased him that he would only visit his office in music row to see his secretary "Bobby" McKee. Foster then pitched an idea for a song he titled "Me and Bobby McKee" to a young songwriter, Kris Kristofferson. Kristofferson misheard the last name, and the song became "Me and Bobby McGee."

Answer: coal mine

"From the Kentucky coal mine to the California sun
There Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Through all kinds of weather, through everything we done
Yeah, Bobby baby kept me from the cold."

Johnny Cash recorded a version of "Me and Bobby McGee" on his 1973 album "På Österåker." Chet Atkins also included a version on his 1973 album "Alone."

Answer: yesterday

"One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away
He's lookin' for that home, and I hope he finds it
But, I'd trade all of my tomorrows, for a single yesterday
To be holdin' Bobby's body next to mine."

"Me and Bobby McGee" was Janis Joplin's only top ten hit. In 2013, when Janis Joplin was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kris Kristofferson performed an acoustic version of the song.

Answer: Well, I call him my lover, call him my man

Janis Joplin added the lyrics:

"Well, I call him my lover, call him my man
I said, I call him my lover did the best I can, c'mon
Hey now, Bobby now
Hey now, Bobby McGee, yeah
Woo."

Kris Kristofferson's version of the song begins with the count-off "one, two, three, four."

"Me and Bobby McGee" has been covered by Waylon Jenkins, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Dottie West, Barb Jungr, and Sam the Sham among countless others.