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Posted by: stefan Apr 14 2009, 06:45 PM

Words / Music: Kris Kristofferson

Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose, let it fall
Lay it soft against my skin
Like the shadow on the wall

Come and lay down by my side
Till the early morning light
All Im taking is your time
Help me make it through the night

I dont care whats right or wrong
I wont try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
cause tonight I need a friend

Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrows out of sight
And its sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night

I dont care whats right or wrong
I wont try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
cause tonight I need a friend

Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrows out of sight
And its sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night

I dont want to be alone
Help me make it through the night

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Recorded: May 17th 1971
Matrix number: APA4 1273-SP
Number of takes: 16

- Take #01: N/A
- Take #02: N/A
- Take #03: 3:08
- Take #04: N/A
- Take #05: N/A
- Take #06: 0:27
- Take #07: 2:59
- Take #08: N/A
- Take #09: N/A
- Take #10: N/A
- Take #11: (used for spliced master)
- Take #12: N/A
- Take #13: N/A
- Take #14: N/A
- Take #15: N/A
- Take #16: (used for spliced master)

Master: Spilce of take #11 and the ending of take #16
Running time: 2:44 (undubbed), 2:45 (with overdubs)
Overdubs: Strings, overdubbed on the afternoon of June 22nd 1971
released on: Elvis Now (1972)

Musicians:

- Guitar: James Burton
- Guitar: Chip Young
- Guitar: Charlie Hodge
- Piano: David Briggs
- Bass: Norbert Putnam
- Drums: Kenneth Buttrey
- Drums/Percussion: Jerry Carrigan

Backing Vocals:

- The Imperials (Jimmie Murray; Terry Blackwood; Greg Gordon; Joe Moscheo; Armond Morales)
- Mary Holladay; Ginger Holladay; Millie Kirkham

Released Outtakes:

- Take #3, complete take. (Great Country Songs / 3:08)
- Take #6, False start. (FTD, I Sing All Kinds / 0:27)
- Take #7, complete take. (FTD, I Sing All Kinds, 2:59)

Live versions:

Performed live 1st time: Las Vegas, February 19th 1971
Performed live last time: Las Vegas, December 6th 1976

Total number of live performances between '71-'76: 47 (between '71-'76 Elvis performed 893 concerts)

The song was sung at 5,3% of the concerts between '71-'76, which makes it a rarity

- 1971: 6
- 1972: 8
- 1973: 20
- 1974: 1
- 1975: 8
- 1976: 4

Officially released live versions:

- December 13th 1975 Dinner Show - FTD ('Dinner at Eight') 2002


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A song that I loved from the first time I heard it many years ago (around 1989/1990). This song is one that benefits from the string arrangement in my opinion. From the 47 known live versions 22 were performed in Las Vegas, 4 in Lake Tahoe and 21 on tour.

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Notes:

* The studio information comes from the great Keith Flynn website: http://www.keithflynn.com/

* The live information comes from the great Fransesc website "Elvis Concerts': http://www.elvisconcerts.com/index.html

Posted by: C.C.Rider Apr 16 2009, 12:38 PM

Great info Stefan. Nice to see this section coming back to life

As for the song. Does anyone else think it didn't quite suit Elvis ? Don't know why,as he sings it well enough. Just get that impression

Posted by: stefan Apr 16 2009, 02:45 PM

Yeah Shaun, someone (I believe Rex) mentioned in a post that this section hadn't been updated in a while, so I thought I'd give it a try !

I partly agree with what you're saying, but only as far as the studio version goes. Live it suited Elvis very good. I guess it's a 'live song' only (much like Runnaway, Polk Salad Annie or Johnny B. Good) and he best could left it alone in the studio.

Posted by: NightRider Apr 16 2009, 08:03 PM

Always liked the song...and especially Elvis' version.....which happens to be my Mum & Dads song. Not bad considering they aren't Elvis fans... ( despite my many attempts to convert them )

Thanks for reviving the section Stefan

Posted by: colonel snow Apr 28 2009, 07:07 PM

addition:

an undubbed version of the master is released on CD Pure diamonds vol. 1 (the intro is missing) and originally released on the LP Rough cut diamonds vol. 2 in 1985.
the complete undubbed master is circulating too.



colonel snow

Posted by: stefan Apr 29 2009, 02:39 AM

Thanks for the information ! I will add it when I get home from work this afternoon.

Posted by: colonel snow Apr 29 2009, 07:38 AM

more info:

the master consists of:

0:00 - 1:07 - take 11
1:08 - 2:39 - ending take 16

On the LP Rough cut diamonds vol. 2 / CD Pure diamonds vol. 1 the tracks run a little bit to fast. When these tracks are the source for other releases afterwards they run too fast also.


colonel snow

Posted by: Monique Jul 16 2009, 01:41 PM

I've always loved the song, both studio and live version. There's something in his voice...maybe a little vulnerable...and combined with the lyrics makes the song irresistible IMO.

I never noticed that the track runs a little too fast on Rough cut Diamonds/ Pure Diamonds. I'll have to listen to them once again.

Posted by: pacer1965 Nov 25 2009, 07:54 PM

I love Elvis singing this.My fav version is the outtake from Great Country Songs.


Thanks
Lorraine

Posted by: dino78 Oct 11 2010, 01:14 PM

I wish he had done more songs by Kris Kristofferson.
Seemed to be a perfect combination:
Remember "For The Good Times" f.e.

Posted by: Tigerman Nov 9 2010, 11:05 PM

I like the song, I think it suited Elvis very well. It's kinda in the same directionary as "There goes my everything" and "Make the world go away".


"Kristofferson said that he got the inspiration for the song from an Esquire magazine interview with Frank Sinatra. When asked what he believed in, Frank replied, "Booze, broads, or a bible...whatever helps me make it through the night.""