In 1968, Kris Kristofferson was behind the wheel, making the dreaded trip from Nashville to the Gulf of Mexico where he piloted helicopters for offshore oil rigs. Somewhere along the endless road, a melody began to form—one he instantly knew was special. By the time the sun dipped low, he had the first verse and chorus of a bittersweet farewell between two lovers. The story was personal, drawn from his own heartbreak, and the music felt like it had been waiting for him all along. Two years later, the song found its way to Ray Price. A friend tracked him down between shows at the Stardust Club in Odessa, Texas—a place Ray had been playing since the early ’50s. Between sets, Ray heard the demo and didn’t hesitate. He knew exactly what he wanted to do. Back in Nashville’s Columbia Studio “A” on March 16, 1970, Ray stepped to the mic with a full orchestra behind him. One take—just one—and it was done. The recording was effortless, yet rich with emotion, the kind of performance that doesn’t need polishing.

Ray Price and the Story Behind “For the Good Times”

When Ray Price reached the top of Billboard’s country chart with “For the Good Times” in 1970, it marked the end of a decade-long absence from #1 for an artist who had never been afraid to experiment with style. Famous first for the walking bass lines that defined his country shuffles, Price later embraced a more sophisticated sound, enriched by lush string arrangements. That combination, paired with Kris Kristofferson’s poignant lyrics, produced a timeless recording that not only topped the Hot Country Singles chart on September 19, 1970, but also crossed over to mainstream audiences, reaching #10 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and #11 on the Hot 100 — Price’s only appearance in the pop Top 40.

Kris Kristofferson’s Inspiration

Kris Kristofferson began writing “For the Good Times” in 1968 during a drive from Nashville to the Gulf of Mexico, where he worked as a helicopter pilot for offshore oil rigs. He hated the long, lonely drive, but it was on one of those trips that he developed the first verse and chorus of a song about the last night between two lovers before their inevitable breakup. The storyline was rooted in his own life — a reflection of a past relationship that still haunted him.

As Kristofferson recalled in an interview with the Nashville Tennessean, the melody came first, and he considered it one of his finest. Anxious to test it on a guitar, he pieced together parts of the lyrics during his drive, finishing the song some time later. Though Bill Nash released an early version in 1968, it failed to chart. Kristofferson’s own version appeared on his debut self-titled album in April 1970, but it wasn’t until Ray Price heard it that the song’s destiny was sealed.

How Ray Price Discovered the Song

Ray Pennington, a promoter for Buckhorn Music (Kristofferson’s publisher), believed the ballad would be a perfect fit for Ray Price, who was touring at the time. With the help of Monument Records executive Fred Foster, a demo was prepared and delivered to Price at the Stardust Club in Odessa, Texas — a venue he had loved performing in since the early 1950s.

Price listened to the demo between shows and was immediately convinced. He vowed to record it as soon as he returned to Nashville. True to his word, he cut the song on March 16, 1970, at Columbia Studio “A.” Backed by a full orchestra, Price recorded the song in a single take, with only minor overdubs — a testament to his professionalism and the skill of Nashville’s veteran session players.

A Slow Start, Then Worldwide Success

Ironically, Columbia Records first released the track as the B-side to “Grazin’ in Greener Pastures.” Price insisted “For the Good Times” would be the hit, but the label didn’t promote it heavily until Wayne Newton also recorded the song, sparking renewed attention. When Columbia finally shifted focus, Price’s recording took off, ultimately selling an astonishing 11 million copies worldwide.

In March 1971, Price won his only Grammy Award for “For the Good Times.” That same year, the Academy of Country Music honored it as both Song of the Year and Single Record of the Year, while the accompanying album was named Album of the Year.

A Defining Moment in Ray Price’s Career

Though Billboard later ranked several of Price’s other singles higher in terms of chart performance — including “Crazy Arms” (20 weeks at #1 in 1956), “City Lights” (1958), “My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You” (1957), “I Won’t Mention It Again” (1971), and “She’s Got to Be a Saint” (1972) — it is “For the Good Times” that remains most closely tied to his legacy. It represented not only a musical evolution but also his ability to adapt to the changing tastes of country music fans in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

By the time Price made his final Top Ten appearance with “Diamonds in the Stars” in 1982, the pendulum of country music had swung back toward traditional sounds — and once again, Price adjusted, proving his versatility and enduring artistry. Whether singing honky-tonk shuffles or lush ballads, Ray Price gave audiences exactly what they wanted, while still shaping the sound of country music in the process.

Legacy

“For the Good Times” remains Ray Price’s quintessential masterpiece. More than just a hit, it is a song that bridged country and pop, carried Kristofferson’s heartfelt lyrics into the mainstream, and defined a turning point in Price’s remarkable career. Decades later, it continues to be celebrated as one of country music’s greatest ballads — a song of love, loss, and acceptance that still resonates with listeners around the world.