Why Me Lord; The TRUE Story - Told and Sung By Kris Kristofferson

WHY ME LORD; THE TRUE STORY - 

Told and Sung By Kris Kristofferson

 "Why Me" was recorded by Kris Kristofferson in 1972, and features backing vocals by soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin. It was included on the album, Jesus Was a Capricorn and, in 1973, the song became the biggest hit of his career.

According to country music historian Bill Malone, Kris Kristofferson wrote the song during an emotionally low period of his life after having attended a religious service conducted by the Rev. Jimmie Rogers Snow. "'Why Me, Lord'" - as the song is sometimes known - "may seem greatly out of character for Kris Kristofferson, but it can be interpreted as his own personal religious rephrasing of 'Sunday Morning Coming Down.' In this case, he is 'coming down' not from drugs, but from the whole hedonistic euphoria of the (1960s)." Malone also described Kris Kristofferson's gruff vocal styling as "perfect" for the song, since "he sounds like a man who has lived a lot but is now humbling himself before God.

Kris Kristofferson met June Carter Cash, and Johnny Cash in a hotel room in 1972 wanting to play them two songs he had written. Kris Kristofferson had just attended a rough screening of the movie "Gospel Road." According to Johnny Cash's book, "The Man in Black".

 Larry Gatlin sang a song called, "Help Me" at the Evangel Temple which inspired Kris Kristofferson to write the song. Kris Kristofferson also played Cash the song, "Burden of Freedom" which was used in, "Gospel Road."

Why Me Lord; The TRUE Story - Told and Sung By Kris Kristofferson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DQ1oPM5Nj0 

WHY ME LORD

Kris Kristofferson

Why me Lord what have I ever done
To deserve even one of the pleasures I've known
Tell me, Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth lovin' you or the kindness you've shown

Lord help me, Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
But now that I know that I've needed you so
Help me, Jesus, my soul's in your hand

Try me, Lord, if you think there's a way
I can try to repay all I've taken from you
Maybe Lord I can show someone else
What I've been through myself, on my way back to you

Lord help me, Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
But now that I know that I've needed you so
Help me, Jesus, my soul's in your hand

Lord help me, Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
But now that I know that I've needed you so
Help me Jesus my souls in your hand
Jesus, my soul's in your hand.

RECOGNITION & AWARDS 

"Why Me" was Kris Kristofferson's lone major country hit as a solo recording artist, reaching No. 1 of Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart in July 1973. The song, despite peaking only at No. 16 of the Billboard Hot 100, had, to that time, one of the longer runs (19 weeks) in the top 40, and the most chart reversals (6) in one run on the Hot 100. 

As a result, ironically, the song managed to be ranked as the second most popular Hot 100 single of 1973.

"Why Me" was certified gold for sales of 1 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

GREAT PERFORMANCES 

Elvis Presley incorporated the song, titled as "Why Me Lord", into his live shows beginning in January 1974 up until his last concert tour. 

It was first released on the live album, Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis in June 1974. The recording is from his March 20, 1974 concert in Memphis, Tennessee. He often introduced the song for J.D. Sumner to sing "one of his favorite songs." Sumner would sing the verses and Elvis would join on the chorus along with the back-up singers. 

He also recorded the other side of the single, "Help Me", written by Larry Gatlin in December 1973 and which remained part of his live shows as well.

George Jones recorded a version "Why Me Lord" for his 1974 album In a Gospel Way.

David Allan Coe also covered "Why Me Lord", on his 1977 album Texas Moon.

British singer Cliff Richard recorded a version "Why Me Lord" for his 1978 album Small Corners.

Merle Haggard recorded a version"Why Me Lord", released on the 1981 album What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Johnny Cash also recorded a version of "Why Me Lord" on his 1994 album American Recordings.

Chicago punk band The Smoking Popes recorded a version of "Why Me Lord" for their 2001 covers album: The Party's Over.

David Crowder Band recorded a version of "Why Me Lord" for their final album, Give Us Rest, which was released in 2012.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE IN PICTURES

 KRIS KRISTOFFERSON - "Why me Lord"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_VgTVtI5cU