When Ray Price soared to the pinnacle of Billboard’s country chart with “For the Good Times” in 1970, it astonishingly marked the end of a decade-long drought from #1 for this fearless innovator in country music. Known initially for his signature walking bass lines that shaped his lively country shuffles, Price boldly embraced a more sophisticated, string-laden sound—a transformation that wouldn’t have reached legendary status without the poignant and haunting lyrics by Kris Kristofferson. This unique combination catapulted the song not only to the summit of the Hot Country Singles chart on September 19, 1970, but also allowed it to spectacularly cross genre boundaries, breaking into the Adult Contemporary Top 10 and making an impressive #11 on Billboard’s Hot 100, marking Price’s sole Top 40 pop success.
The origin story of this timeless classic is as gripping as the song itself. Back in 1968, Kris Kristofferson was locked in a tedious and lonely drive from Nashville to the Gulf of Mexico where he worked as a helicopter pilot servicing offshore oil rigs. Battling the isolation of this journey, Kristofferson poured his feelings into crafting the song that would come to define a bittersweet farewell between two lovers on the final night before their heartbreak—a reflection of haunting personal memories.
In an exclusive interview with the Nashville Tennessean, Kristofferson revealed the melody came to him first during this very drive, insisting it was among his finest creations. Though first recorded by Bill Nash in 1968 to little fanfare and Kristofferson’s own version appearing on his debut album in 1970, fate intervened when Ray Price was introduced to the song.
The critical moment unfolded at the famed Stardust Club in Odessa, Texas, a venue brimming with nostalgia for Price, who had performed there since the 1950s. Through the efforts of promoter Ray Pennington and Monument Records executive Fred Foster, a demo was handed to Price between performances. Captivated immediately, Price vowed to record it upon returning to Nashville.
On March 16, 1970, at Columbia Studio “A,” backed by a full orchestra of Nashville’s finest session players, Price nailed the track in a single take—a miracle of professionalism and raw emotion. Yet, what followed was nothing short of shocking: Columbia Records initially released it as a B-side to “Grazin’ in Greener Pastures”, leading many to doubt its potential.
Price firmly believed in the song’s power, but the label only shifted focus after Wayne Newton’s version reignited interest. Once the spotlight was on Price’s rendition, it exploded, selling a staggering 11 million copies worldwide and sweeping prestigious awards: a Grammy in 1971, and Duopoly honors as Song of the Year, Single Record of the Year, and Album of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
Despite other chart-topping hits like “Crazy Arms,” “City Lights,” “My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You,” and more, it was “For the Good Times” that cemented Price’s legacy—symbolizing his musical evolution and uncanny ability to navigate the changing currents of country music. Even as the genre seemed to swing back toward traditional roots by the early ‘80s, Price demonstrated veteran versatility, exemplified by his final Top Ten hit, “Diamonds in the Stars.”
Decades later, “For the Good Times” remains not just a song but a timeless bridge between country and pop, carrying Kristofferson’s heartfelt narrative into millions of hearts and marking an unforgettable moment in Ray Price’s extraordinary career—an emotional masterpiece about love, loss, and acceptance that continues to echo powerfully across generations.
