About The Song
Absolutely! “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Kris Kristofferson is a haunting and introspective country song that explores themes of addiction and despair. Here’s a deeper look into this classic:
Origins and Release:
- Written by Kris Kristofferson himself.
- Released in 1*969 on his debut album “Kristofferson.”
- The song quickly gained attention for its raw portrayal of addiction and became a counterculture anthem.
Genre: Country
Lyrics and Theme:
- The song tells the story of a narrator struggling with withdrawal symptoms after a night of heavy drinking (“Sitting in the wreckage with a jumbled head / Can’t remember what I said or where I’ve been”).
- The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery that capture the despair and loneliness of addiction (“Sunday morning coming down, feels like the world’s gonna end”).
- It’s a somber and unflinching look at the dark side of substance abuse.
Musical Style:
- The song features a slow and melancholy melody driven by a simple acoustic guitar riff.
- Kristofferson’s gravelly vocals perfectly convey the anguish of the lyrics.
- The sparse instrumentation puts the focus on the powerful lyrics and vocals.
Legacy and Impact:
- “Sunday Morning Coming Down” became a signature song for Kris Kristofferson.
- It resonated with listeners who understood the struggles of addiction and the challenges of overcoming it.
- The song’s raw honesty and emotional depth have earned it a place among the greatest country songs ever written.
- It continues to be relevant today as a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction.
Popularity and Covers:
- The song achieved even wider recognition when it was covered by Johnny Cash in 1970.
- Cash’s version became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
- Both versions of the song remain popular today.
Want to hear the song?
You can find “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by both Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash on most streaming platforms. Here are some options for your search:
- Kris Kristofferson – Sunday Morning Coming Down (Original Version)
- Johnny Cash – Sunday Morning Coming Down
Additional Tidbits:
- The song has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows, solidifying its place in pop culture history.
- The stark contrast between the upbeat title and the downbeat lyrics is a deliberate choice that highlights the duality of addiction.
I hope this information is helpful! Let me know if you’d like to explore other Kris Kristofferson songs, learn more about songs about addiction in country music, or hear about other artists who covered “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”
Video
Lyrics
Let’s sing along with the lyrics!
Well, I woke up Sunday mornin’
With no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt
And the beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad
So I had one more for dessert
Then I fumbled in my closet through my clothes
And found my cleanest dirty shirt
Then I washed my face and combed my hair
And stumbled down the stairs to meet the day
I’d smoked my mind the night before
With cigarettes and songs I’d been pickin’
But I lit my first and watched a small kid
Playin’ with a can that he was kickin’
Then I walked across the street
And caught the Sunday smell of someone’s fryin’ chicken
And Lord, it took me back to somethin’ that I’d lost
Somewhere, somehow along the way
On a Sunday mornin’ sidewalk
I’m wishin’, Lord, that I was stoned
‘Cause there’s somethin’ in a Sunday
That makes a body feel alone
And there’s nothin’ short a’ dyin’
That’s half as lonesome as the sound
Of the sleepin’ city sidewalk
And Sunday mornin’ comin’ down
In the park I saw a daddy
With a laughin’ little girl that he was swingin’
And I stopped beside a Sunday school
And listened to the songs they were singin’
Then I headed down the street
And somewhere far away a lonely bell was ringin’
And it echoed through the canyons
Like the disappearin’ dreams of yesterday
On a Sunday mornin’ sidewalk
I’m wishin’, Lord, that I was stoned
‘Cause there’s somethin’ in a Sunday
That makes a body feel alone
And there’s nothin’ short a’ dyin’
That’s half as lonesome as the sound
Of the sleepin’ city sidewalk
And Sunday mornin’ comin’ down
