About The Song
The 1970s was the time provocative songs like ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ was unwelcome. Well, they were unwelcomed, but listeners secretly craved for it. And surprisingly, its success is incredible in a way no one expected it.
Kris Kristofferson was the original singer and composer of ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night.’ The song is a country music ballad included on his 1970 album Kristofferson. In a dialogue, the country crooner revealed how he got the inspiration. He said it was from an interview of Frank Sinatra in Esquire magazine. When Sinatra was asked what he believed in, he replied:
“Booze, broads, or a bible…whatever helps me make it through the night.”
Like most struggling songwriters during that time, Kristofferson was in the dumps. He stayed in the home of his good friends and co-singer, Dottie West, and her husband, Bill. They lived on the suburban of Shy’s Hill Road in Nashville’s Green Hills.
He first offered the song to West, but the latter declined it. She said it was “too suggestive.” Yet, she will eventually include it on her ‘Careless Hands’ album.
Being in the “pivot of change era” has its advantage. For example, people are learning to be open-minded over food, music, and culture. And in this case, listeners became open with a provocative song.
‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ lyrics don’t talk about country music’s usual theme. It shied away from love or breakup themes, jail time, or life in the south stories. No, it fearlessly dives into the world of seduction. Kristofferson masked it as an innocent romantic song to a raunchy one-night stand.
Moreover, ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ has chords that don’t differ from the usual country music. It’s catchy and has a classic vibe. More so, the tempo goes from slow to mid-fast. Listeners love reviving this song from the 70s.
Video
Lyrics
Take the ribbon from your hair,
Shake it loose and let it fall,
Layin’ soft upon my skin.
Like the shadows on the wall.
Come and lay down by my side
‘Till the early morning light
All I’m takin’ is your time.
Help me make it through the night.
I don’t care what’s right or wrong,
I don’t try to understand.
Let the devil take tomorrow.
Lord, 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 don’t try to understand.
Let the devil take tomorrow.
Lord, tonight I need a friend.
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow’s out of sight.
Lord, it’s bad to be alone.
Help me make it through the night.