"Help Me" is a song written by Larry Gatlin. A country gospel song, the lyrics tell the story of a world-weary and tired man pleading for guidance and reassurance from God. 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 country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...

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), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

. In 1974, Presley released the song as part of a

double A-sided The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...

single with "

If You Talk in Your Sleep "If You Talk in Your Sleep" is a 1974 Elvis Presley song released as a single and featured on Elvis Presley's 1975 album ''Promised Land''. The song was written by Red West and Johnny Christopher, who had earlier written "Mama Liked the Roses" and ...

." "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 in 1972, the first recording of the song, on his album '' Jesus Was a Capricorn'' 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, on her 1973 album ''

God Is Abundant ''God Is Abundant'' is the twenty-first solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in November 1973 on Columbia Records and contained 11 tracks. The project was a collection of gospel recordings, chosen by Smith he ...

''. *

, on his 1973 album ''

The Gospel Road ''The Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus'' is a double album and the fourth gospel album and 45th overall album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1973 (see 1973 in music). It is the soundtrack to the film of ...

''. * London Parris and the Apostles, on the 1973 album ''Why Me?''.

Johnny Cash versions

covered the song on his 1973 album ''

'' and on the posthumous 2006 album '' American V: A Hundred Highways''. The latter version had a

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...

shot for it.

Charts

Elvis Presley version

: * As "Help Me" / "If You Talk in Your Sleep"

References

External links

Kris Kristofferson – Why Me / Help Me
at Discogs
Elvis Presley – If You Talk In Your Sleep / Help Me
at 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