About the song
Kris Kristofferson’s Snakebit. Now that’s a song that takes you on a dusty trail through the American underbelly. Kristofferson, a legend in his own right, has always had a knack for weaving tales of outlaws, drifters, and those on the fringes of society. Snakebit is no exception.
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Released in 1981 on his album To the Bone, the song feels like it could have been plucked straight out of a classic Western film. We can practically see the tumbleweeds rolling by as the narrator, a man down on his luck, spins his yarn. The title itself, Snakebit, is a potent one. It evokes a sense of misfortune, of being cursed by fate. And that’s exactly where we find our protagonist.
Snakebit isn’t just about a literal snakebite, though the image is certainly vivid. It’s a metaphor for the bad breaks, the twists of fate that can leave a man feeling poisoned, both physically and emotionally. Kristofferson’s gravelly voice, a signature of his sound, perfectly captures the weariness and disillusionment of the character.
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The beauty of Snakebit lies in its ambiguity. We don’t get all the details, just snippets of the narrator’s story. He’s been dealt a rough hand, that much is clear. There’s a woman involved, someone he seems to have wronged or lost. Perhaps it’s a love affair gone sour, a betrayal that’s left him feeling venomous. Maybe it’s a deeper wound, a broken dream or a life that just hasn’t panned out the way he’d hoped.
Kristofferson masterfully uses spare language to paint a vivid picture. The lyrics are full of evocative imagery – the “rattlesnake sun,” the “dust bowl town,” the “dry wind sobbin’ through the wires.” These details transport us right into the heart of the song’s world, a world where hope seems scarce and the future looks bleak.
Snakebit is more than just a character study, though. It’s a commentary on the human condition, a reminder that life can be a cruel mistress. It’s a song that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt down on their luck, who’s ever grappled with the feeling of being outmatched by fate. Yet, there’s a quiet resilience in the song too.
The narrator may be snakebit, but he’s still breathing, still moving forward, one weary step at a time. So, put on your boots, saddle up, and get ready to be transported to the dusty plains of Snakebit by the one and only Kris Kristofferson.