I remember the first time I heard “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” I was just a teenager riding with my Dad somewhere. He had just bought a CD of Kristofferson’s Greatest Hits or something and this was the first song that came on.

I was immediately knocked out. I’m sure I’d heard Janis sing “Me and Bobby McGee” at that point and probably Willie cover “Help Me Make It Through the Night” so I knew of his songwriting and how great he was, but hearing “Sunday Morning” was like nothing else.

He died in his home in Hawaii yesterday. Rest in Peace, Mr. Kristofferson. You will be missed.