Billy Dee
Kris Kristofferson · Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends: The Publishing Demos1968-72 [2010]
Billy Dee was seventeen when he turned twenty-one
Fooling with some foolish things he could've left alone
But he had to try to satisfy a thirst he couldn't name
Driven toward the darkness by the devils in his veins.
All around the honky tonks searching for a sign
Gettin' by on gettin' high on women words and wine
Some folks called him crazy Lord others called him free
But we just called us lucky for the love of Billy Dee.
--- Instrumental ---
Busy goin' his own way and speakin' his own words
Facin' and forgettin' every warning that he heard
Making friends and takin' any crazy chance he could
Gettin' busted for the bad times and believin' in the good.
Billy took a beatin' from a world he meant no harm
The score was written in the scars upon his arm
Some felt he was paying for the life he tried to lead
But all we felt was sorry for our good friend Billy Dee.
--- Instrumental ---
It may be his soul was bigger than a body's oughta be
Singin' songs and bringin' laughter to the likes of you and me
'Cause the world he saw was sadder than the one he hoped to find
But it wasn't near as lonesome as the one he left behind.
Yesterday they found him on the floor of his hotel
Reachin' toward the needle Lord that drove him down to hell
Some folks called it suicide others blamed to speed
But we just called it crucified when Billy Dee OD'd...
Billy Dee
Kris Kristofferson's "Billy Dee" stands as a quintessential example of his country-rock storytelling, capturing the weary spirit of a man who has seen it all. Recorded during the late 1960s and released on the 2010 compilation Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends: The Publishing Demos 1968-72, the track showcases Kristofferson's signature ability to weave narrative into melody. The song reflects the era's fascination with the American West and the personal struggles of its inhabitants, delivered with his characteristic gravelly voice and acoustic-driven arrangement. As part of his broader discography, "Billy Dee" exemplifies the introspective and often melancholic tone that defined his career, resonating with listeners who appreciate raw, unpolished country music from the golden age of the genre.