For the Good Times

Album: For the Good Times (1970)
Charted: 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This break-up song was written by Kris Kristofferson and appeared on his 1970 self-titled debut album. Later that year, Ray Price recorded a version of the song, which became his fifth country #1 single and was awarded Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. The cut crossed over onto the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #11.
  • Amongst the other artists to have covered this are Elvis Presley on his 1972 album, Elvis as Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, Perry Como whose version reached #7 on the UK Singles Chart in 1973 and Kristofferson's close friend and fellow-Highwayman Johnny Cash on his 2010 posthumous American VI: Ain't No Grave record.

Comments: 5

  • Rex Power from MissouriWho sang backup vocals on Ray Price's version of "For the Good Times"?
  • Don from Kentucky Uh I'm not downing ray price version but Al Green killed that song the Soul version. Give it a listen sometime
  • Shane from Usa MichiganI am going to bring back these great country songs!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 23rd 1970, "For the Good Times" by Ray Price entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #91; and though it only peaked at #11 {for 1 week on December 27th, 1970} it stayed on the Top 100 for almost a half-year, 24 weeks...
    And on September 13th, 1970 it reached #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart; it was the 5th of his eight #1 records he had on the Hot Country chart between 1956 and 1973, plus he had five #1 albums on Billboard's Country Albums chart...
    R.I.P. to 'The Cherokee Cowboy', {1926 - 2013}.
  • Camille from Toronto, OhThere isn't a better break-up song than this. The words, the melody and the vocals say it all in about four minutes.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.