About The Song
In the evocative and soulful catalog of Kris Kristofferson, Easy, Come On, released in 1979 on the album Shake Hands with the Devil, stands as a poignant and restless ballad that captures the untamed spirit of a wanderer’s heart. Written by Kristofferson, this lesser-known gem showcases his gift for blending raw emotion with vivid storytelling, a cornerstone of his outlaw country legacy. For those who cherish music’s power to reflect the pull between freedom and connection, this song is a windswept journey, evoking memories of open roads and the ache of fleeting bonds. Its driving melody and Kristofferson’s gritty vocals resonate deeply with mature listeners, who may recall its release on Monument Records or its quiet resonance in his introspective songbook.
The song opens with a brisk acoustic guitar riff and a steady drumbeat, produced by Bob Beckham with a lean, road-ready energy that mirrors the restlessness of its narrator. Kristofferson’s baritone, weathered yet charged with urgency, carries a roguish charm as he sings, “Easy, come on, let’s hit the road / Ain’t no sense in carryin’ this load.” The arrangement, featuring subtle steel guitar and piano accents, creates a vivid, open-highway atmosphere, as if played in a dusty bar at the edge of town. For those who first heard it on a 1979 vinyl or caught Kristofferson’s performances during his prolific late-’70s era, it’s a nostalgic bridge to a time when his songwriting, lauded as “cinematic” in a Billboard review, painted portraits of rebels and dreamers.
Lyrically, Easy, Come On is a masterclass in capturing the tension between wanderlust and longing: “Easy, come on, we’ll make it through / Ain’t no chain gonna hold me and you.” The verses weave a narrative of a drifter inviting a companion to join his fleeting escape, yet hinting at the cost of a life unmoored. For older listeners, who may have chased their own dreams of freedom or wrestled with the pull of roots versus the open road, the song’s bittersweet defiance offers a poignant reflection on the choices that shape us. Its emotional depth, as noted on Genius, lies in its raw honesty, making it a timeless ode to the restless soul.
Musically, Easy, Come On blends the folk-country grit of Kristofferson’s early work with a slightly polished ‘70s sound, echoing influences like Waylon Jennings and Bob Dylan. The Shake Hands with the Devil album, though less celebrated than The Silver Tongued Devil and I, showcased his narrative prowess, with this track as a standout, later included in collections like Original Album Classics. For fans who’ve followed Kristofferson’s journey—from Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down to his 2016 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction—this song is a cherished chapter, reflecting his poet’s spirit. Whether rediscovered on a worn LP or streaming today, Easy, Come On invites you to feel the wind of its restless call and ponder the road ahead, a melody that lingers like the promise of a new horizon.
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