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[stefan]

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: Click Here

* The live information comes from the great Fransesc website "Elvis Concerts': Click Here