“Help Me Make It Through the Night”, a poignant ballad that showcases a different side of the King – a side tinged with vulnerability and raw emotion. Released in 1970, the song marked a departure from Elvis’s earlier, high-octane rock and roll persona.
This particular track was penned by a young, up-and-coming songwriter named Kris Kristofferson, who would later become a country music legend himself. It’s interesting to note that “Help Me Make It Through the Night” wasn’t originally intended for Elvis. However, upon hearing a demo, Presley reportedly connected deeply with the song’s lyrics, recognizing a yearning that resonated with his own experiences.
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The song opens with a gentle piano melody, setting a melancholic mood. Elvis’s voice, though still powerful, adopts a hushed quality, conveying a sense of desperation and loneliness. The lyrics paint a picture of a man grappling with heartbreak and despair. “Yesterday’s dead and tomorrow’s out of sight,” he sings, emphasizing the urgency of the moment.
He pleads for companionship, for someone to offer solace in the face of his emotional turmoil. “All I’m taking is your time,” he croons, suggesting a need for connection that transcends judgment or consequence.
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“Help Me Make It Through the Night” is more than just a love song. It’s a desperate plea for human connection, a stark reminder of our vulnerability in the face of emotional turmoil. It’s a song that resonated with a generation grappling with societal changes and personal struggles.
Elvis’s heartfelt delivery elevates the material, transforming it into a timeless testament to the human need for comfort and understanding. So, when you hear the opening notes of this ballad, prepare to be transported to a world of raw emotion, a world where the King himself bares his soul and seeks solace in the dead of night.
“Help Me Make It Through The Night”
Shake it loose, let it fall
Lay it soft against my skin
Like the shadow on the wallCome and lay down by my side
Till the early morning light
All I’m taking is your time
Help me make it through the nightI don’t care what’s right or wrong
I won’t try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
‘Cause tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow’s out of sight
And it’s sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
I don’t care what’s right or wrong
I won’t try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
‘Cause tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow’s out of sight
And it’s sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
I don’t want to be alone
Help me make it through the night