For the Good Times

“For the Good Times” is a song written by Kris Kristofferson, first recorded by singer Bill Nash in 1968 before appearing on Kristofferson’s own debut album in June 1970. After a recording by Ray Price became a #1 hit single in June of that year, the song established Kristofferson as one of country and popular music’s top songwriters while giving Price his first chart-topping country and western song in 11 years. “For the Good Times” continued to be recorded by a number of artists in subsequent years, to popular success. It became a staple of soul singer Al Green’s concert repertoire in the 1970s, also featuring as a studio recording on his 1972 album I’m Still in Love with You. A version by Perry Como spent 27 weeks on the UK Singles Chart peaking at #7 in August 1973 and spent 13 weeks on the Irish Singles Chart, peaking at #1 for 2 weeks in November 1973.
Kristofferson wrote most of the song in 1968 while on a work-related road trip from Nashville to the Gulf of Mexico. It recounts the end of a love affair, based on a real life experience of his, in a manner that popular music scholar Steve Sullivan said “conveys sadness, acceptance, and longing”. An early recording of the song was by Bill Nash on Smash Records in 1968.Kristofferson’s own recording appeared on self-titled debut album in April 1970.