Elvis Presley’s “Help Me”: Lyrics, Recording, and a Look Back at 1973

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, explored a wide range of musical genres and emotional depths throughout his career. Among his poignant later recordings is the gospel-influenced song “Help Me,” which captured a sense of vulnerability and a plea for divine assistance. This exploration delves into the lyrics, the recording history of “Help Me” by Elvis Presley, and places it within the context of Elvis’s eventful year of 1973, a period marked by significant studio work and personal changes, bringing it into focus for Shocknaue Entertainment News readers.

The lyrics of “Help Me,” penned by country and gospel singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin, are a heartfelt prayer. They express a deep sense of weariness, loneliness, and the acknowledgment of personal limitations. The speaker is tired of facing challenges alone and humbly asks for divine intervention to walk another mile, smile another smile, and understand their purpose. The lines “I never thought I needed help before; I thought that I could do things by myself. Now I know I just can’t take it any more” resonate with a universal feeling of needing support when strength falters. The plea to “Come down from Your golden throne to me, to lowly me” and “Remove the chains of darkness and let me see” highlights the spiritual nature of the song, seeking guidance and light.

Lord, Help me walk another mile, just one more mile; I’m tired of walkin’ all alone.

Lord, Help me smile another smile, just one more smile; I know I just can’t make it on my own.

I never thought I needed help before; I thought that I could do things by myself. Now I know I just can’t take it any more. With a humble heart, on bended knee, I’m beggin’ You, please, Help Me.

Come down from Your golden throne to me, to lowly me; I need to feel the touch of Your tender hand.

Remove the chains of darkness and let me see, Lord let me see; Just where I fit into your master plan.

I never thought I needed help before; I thought that I could do things by myself. Now I know I just can’t take it any more. With a humble heart, on bended knee, I’m beggin’ You, please, Help Me.

Words & Music by Larry Gatlin

Elvis Presley recorded his version of “Help Me” on December 12, 1973. This recording took place at the famed Stax Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, during a productive series of sessions in the latter half of the year. “Help Me” was first released as a single, becoming a notable track in his discography from this period.

Cover art for the Elvis Presley Raised On Rock CD featuring 1973 recordings.

The recording of “Help Me” was part of a larger musical output for Elvis in 1973. His sessions at Stax Studios in July and December of that year yielded numerous tracks that would appear on albums like Raised On Rock and Promised Land. The July 1973 sessions included songs such as “If You Don’t Come Back,” “It’s Diff’rent Now” (Rehearsal), “Three Corn Patches,” “Take Good Care Of Her,” “Find Out What’s Happening,” “I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby,” “Just A Little Bit,” “Raised On Rock,” “For Ol’ Times Sake,” and “Girl Of Mine,” culminating with “Sweet Angeline” (Track) on July 25th.

Beyond the studio, 1973 was a year of various events in Elvis Presley’s life and career. In August, his ex-wife Priscilla Beaulieu gave her very first interview, featured in Ladies Home Journal. Also in August, members of fan clubs and UK fans, including Tony Prince, had the opportunity to meet Elvis backstage in Las Vegas. A notable meeting involved ‘The King’s Court’ fan club members wearing buttons similar to one famously worn by Bruce Springsteen on his Born To Run album cover years later.

Recording efforts extended beyond Stax, with sessions taking place at Elvis’s residence in Palm Springs, California, in September 1973. Tracks like “Sweet Angeline” (V.O.), “I Miss You,” and “Are You Sincere?” were recorded during this time.

A significant personal event occurred on October 9, 1973, when Elvis and Priscilla made a court appearance together, and their divorce was granted. Despite the legal separation, they maintained a close friendship. Priscilla was granted custody of their daughter, Lisa Marie, though Elvis and Lisa Marie continued to spend time together regularly without a formal visitation schedule.

Elvis and Priscilla Presley at court in 1973 when their divorce was granted.

In November 1973, at the home of Sam Thompson (brother of Linda Thompson), Elvis engaged in informal recordings, singing and quoting poetry, including the ‘Ode To A Robin Poem’. Some of these informal recordings, such as “Baby What You Want Me To Do,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Spanish Eyes,” “See See Rider,” and “That’s All Right,” were later released on the FTD CD Made In Memphis. This album compilation is noteworthy as it includes alternate takes from Elvis’s Memphis sessions across different years (American Sound Studio 1969, Stax Recording Studio 1973, and Graceland 1976), offering a comprehensive look at his work in the city. The poem recitation was featured on the Crazy : The Funny Side Of Elvis Presley CD.

The December 1973 Stax sessions, where “Help Me” was recorded, were particularly fruitful, yielding tracks that would form the core of the Promised Land album. These sessions, running from December 10th to December 16th, produced songs including:

• December 10: “I Got A Feeling In My Body,” “It’s Midnight”
• December 11: “You Asked Me To,” “If You Talk In Your Sleep”
• December 12: “Mr. Songman,” “Thinking About You,” “Love Song Of The Year,” Help Me
• December 13: “My Boy,” “Loving Arms,” “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues”
• December 14: “Talk About The Good Times”
• December 15: “Promised Land,” “Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming,” “There’s A Honky Tonk Angel”
• December 16: “If That Isn’t Love,” “Spanish Eyes,” “She Wears My Ring”

The year concluded with Elvis spending Christmas at his beloved Graceland.

Beyond the studio albums, 1973 saw the release or documentation of various performances and historical footage. The DVD Tupelo’s Own Elvis Presley offered a unique glimpse into Elvis’s early career, featuring unreleased film with sound from his 1956 concert in Tupelo, Mississippi. This included footage of six songs, notably “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” and the rare live performance of “Long Tall Sally,” providing fans with an electrifying look at Elvis in his prime. For fans interested in elvis presley can t help falling in love guitar techniques or the general artistry, exploring different periods of his live performances is invaluable.

Cover image for Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD showing a vintage live performance.

The journey through Elvis Presley’s “Help Me” not only reveals a moving song of faith and vulnerability written by Larry Gatlin but also sheds light on the dynamic period in Elvis’s life and recording career in 1973. The Stax sessions, personal events like his divorce, and the ongoing efforts to document his vast musical legacy all contributed to the rich tapestry of his work during this time. Fans interested in the depth of his lyrical expression might also explore the elvis presley can t help falling in love lyrics meaning to compare different emotional landscapes in his discography. The recording of “Help Me” stands as a testament to Elvis’s continued artistic output and his willingness to embrace diverse musical styles, including the powerful themes found in gospel and inspirational music. This period showcases both the King’s enduring musical prowess and the complex reality of his life behind the scenes, making it a fascinating area for any fan to explore. If you’re curious about the evolution of iconic songs, comparing this recording to the 1968 version of another classic might be interesting, such as elvis presley can t help falling in love 1968. For listeners captivated by the heartfelt emotion in “Help Me,” delving into other touching Elvis ballads like for i can t help falling in love with you offers a deeper appreciation for his ability to connect through song.