"Help Me" is a song written by
Larry Gatlin
Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers are an American country music vocal group. The group consists of lead singer Larry Gatlin (born May 2, 1948) and his brothers, Rudy and Steve Gatlin. The group achieved considerable success within the country ...
. A
country gospel song, the lyrics tell the story of a world-weary and tired man pleading for guidance and reassurance from
God
In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...
. Gatlin performed the song at the funerals of both
June Carter and
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...
and dedicates the song to them during every performance.
The song became most famous in a version by
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
. In 1974, Presley released the song as part of a
double A-sided single with "
If You Talk in Your Sleep."
"Help Me" became the side promoted to country radio, and the song reached No. 6 on the
''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart on the week of August 10, 1974.
("If You Talk in Your Sleep" reached No. 17 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100, also during the summer of 1974.)
Previously, "Help Me" was recorded by:
*
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer Kristofferson (June 22, 1936 – September 28, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was a pioneering figure in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, moving away from the polished Nashville sound and toward a m ...
in 1972, the first recording of the song, on his album ''
Jesus Was a Capricorn
''Jesus Was a Capricorn'' is the fourth album by Kris Kristofferson, released in 1972 on Monument Records. The album cover pictures Kristofferson and his soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge. The single "Why Me" reached No. 1 on the US country chart.
...
'' and subsequently released as the B-side to the single "
Why Me Why Me or Why Me? may refer to:
Music
* Why Me (Kris Kristofferson song), "Why Me" (Kris Kristofferson song), 1973
* Why Me (Styx song), "Why Me" (Styx song), 1979
* Why Me? (Irene Cara song), "Why Me?" (Irene Cara song), 1983
* Why Me? (Linda Mart ...
".
*
Ray Price, on his 1973 album ''She's Got to Be a Saint''.
*
Connie Smith
Connie Smith (born Constance June Meador; August 14, 1941) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Her contralto vocals have been described by music writers as significant and influential to the women of country music. A similarity ...
, on her 1973 album ''
God Is Abundant''.
*
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...
, on his 1973 album ''
The Gospel Road''.
*
London Parris and the Apostles, on the 1973 album ''Why Me?''.
Johnny Cash versions
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...
covered the song on his 1973 album ''
The Gospel Road'', which was the soundtrack to the film of the same title, and on the posthumous 2006 album ''
American V: A Hundred Highways''. The latter version had a
music video
A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
shot for it. On ''The Gospel Road'', the song's title is abbreviated to "Help" and is performed in several parts on the album and film.
Charts
Elvis Presley version
: *
As "Help Me" / "If You Talk in Your Sleep"
References
External links
Kris Kristofferson – Why Me / Help Meat Discogs
Elvis Presley – If You Talk In Your Sleep / Help Meat Discogs
{{authority control
1972 songs
1973 singles
1974 singles
Kris Kristofferson songs
Connie Smith songs
Johnny Cash songs
Elvis Presley songs
RCA Records singles
Songs written by Larry Gatlin