"Sunday Morning Coming Down" was also Kristofferson's first No. 1 hit as a songwriter. "I'm just real grateful for that song because it opened up a whole a lot doors for me," Kristofferson tells NPR .

Cash debuted his definitive version of “Sunday Morning Coming Down” 50 years ago today, on the Wednesday, February 25th, 1970, edition of his ABC variety series’ “Ride This Train” segment.

"Sunday Morning Coming Down" (1970) - When Bob Dylan not only singles out a song for its greatness but quotes its lyrics at length (as he did in the 2015 speech referenced above), it's hard to top.

Few songs about hangovers sound as sweet as “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” Kris Kristofferson sings the song with a deep, almost meditative drawl. He sounds as sleepy as the lyrics suggest.

“You do this song the justice it deserves,” said one fan. ... “Sunday Morning Coming Down” was written by Kristofferson in 1969, though it was initially recorded by Ray Stevens.

(soundbite of song, "sunday morning coming down") JOHNNY CASH: (Singing) On a Sunday morning sidewalk, I'm wishing, Lord, that I was stoned 'cause there's something in a Sunday that makes the body ...

But, "Sunday Morning Coming Down," is- it's close to the greatest songs of all ti- you know, people rank 'em all the time, the best songs of all time. That and- that and "Beat The Devil," that's it.

Many of his songs are better known by other singers’ interpretations, like Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” Johnny Cash’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and more.

From 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' and 'Help Me Make It Through the Night' to 'Feeling Mortal,' Variety picks 10 Kris Kristofferson immortal classics.