Smile At Me Again
Kris Kristofferson · Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends: The Publishing Demos1968-72 [2010]
Monday caught me early comin' down by surprice
Waitin' for the signal light to change
Breathin' somethin' bitter that was burnin' my eyes
Thinkin' I'd go drink myself back home on the range.
Shot down and sinking fast on Sunset Strip
Holdin' onto somethin' in my head
Everything gets heavy when you're losin' your grip
Nothing looks as empty as a motel bed.
Lord I'm still a stranger in this God forsaken land
Further from my future and my friends
I'm gonna take enough to wake me up
And make me on last one night stand.
Then take me home to something's gonna smile at me again
Break my connections when I shake me loose
Give my old equipment to the band
Let my friend the devil pay the rest of my dues.
Take me home to something's gonna smile at me again...
Smile At Me Again
Kris Kristofferson's 'Smile At Me Again' stands as a poignant example of his mastery in country storytelling, capturing the quiet desperation and hope found in personal relationships. Recorded for the 2010 compilation 'Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends: The Publishing Demos 1968-72', the track reflects the raw, unpolished energy of his early work alongside his later, more refined hits. The song exemplifies Kristofferson's signature ability to weave complex emotional narratives into simple, acoustic arrangements, a hallmark that defined his career from the late 1960s through the 1970s. By focusing on the vulnerability of asking for affection, the recording showcases his enduring influence on the American singer-songwriter tradition, proving that his most powerful statements often come from intimate, stripped-down performances rather than grand productions.