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"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 and dedicates the song to them during every performance.

The song became most famous in a version by Elvis Presley. 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 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".
• Ray Price, on his 1973 album She's Got to Be a Saint.
• Connie Smith, on her 1973 album God Is Abundant.
• Johnny Cash, on his 1973 album The Gospel Road.
• London Parris and the Apostles, on the 1973 album Why Me?.

Johnny Cash versions

Johnny Cash 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 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

1. Jerry Osborne (1 July 2007). Presleyana VI - the Elvis Presley Record, CD, and Memorabilia Price Guide. Jerry Osborne Enterprises. pp. 51–. ISBN 978-0-932117-49-6.
2. ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (10 August 1974). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 58–. ISSN 0006-2510. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
3. "Elvis Presley - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2017-01-02.

External links

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

• 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