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.
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.