Simon and Kristofferson spent a “slam-dunk deranged month or so” together after meeting through L.A.’s music scene. She was astonished by his songwriting skills, particularly “I’ve Got to Have You.” “How did he think of that utterly fragile combination of words?” she thought. “Kris, the man of soft lips and marble eyes sunken in snow? The simplest textures, the songs of a night bird? Every time I sing it, I think of him and what a wonder he is. I think he is magic, the bad boy who only shaves when he doesn’t have to go to church.” Her opinion of the musician changed, however, during a plane ride they shared together. Simon was afraid of flying, and put her head in her lap as the aircraft took off. Kristofferson wrapped the New York Times around his head “like a tent” to avoid having “anything to do with the possibly sick or frightened woman he had on his hands.”