Born in Bloomington, Indiana into a musical family, he began performing as a duo with his brother before going on to a successful solo career in country music. In 1956, Helms made his way to Nashville, Tennessee where he signed a recording contract with Decca Records. The following year would be filled with astonishing successes. Helms' first single in 1957 titled "Fraulein" went to No. 1 on the country music charts and made it into the Top 40 on the pop music charts. Later that same year he released "My Special Angel" that also went to No. 1 on the country charts and entered the Top 10 on Billboard magazines pop music charts, peaking at No. 7.
Released just a few days before Christmas of 1957, his song "Jingle Bell Rock" was a big hit but uniquely, it re-emerged four out of the next five years and sold so well that it repeated each time as a top hit and became a Christmas classic still played to this day.
Bobby Helms continued touring and recording for the next three decades. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Helms spent most of his later years living just outside of Martinsville, Indiana, until the time of his death from emphysema and asthma in 1997.
Most Of The Time
Bobby Helms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think oh how nice it would be
If we both would be back together
And forget the troubles that have set us free
I think of doing things but I'd be sorry
Bout trying to find somebody new
I think of lots of things to ease my sorrow
Most of the time I'm lyin' here wondering
If maybe you're out with someone new
You wouldn't if you knew how much it hurts me
When I think that someone else is holding you
Most of the time I'm so lonely
The rest of the time I'm so blue
Part of my time I spend in slumber
But most of the time I think of you
Bobby Helms's song "Most of the Time" is a poignant tale of heartbreak and longing. The lyrics describe a person lying in bed, crying and wishing they were back together with their former lover. Despite thinking of trying to move on and find someone new, they can't help but think of their ex most of the time. The second verse adds another layer of pain, as the singer wonders if their ex is already with someone else, and expresses how much it hurts to think about that possibility. The final verse conveys the extent of the singer's isolation, spending most of their time either crying, sleeping, or thinking about their lost love.
The use of repetition in the chorus drives home the central point of the song - that the singer is unable to move on, and that their thoughts are consumed by their ex most of the time. The raw honesty of the lyrics, combined with the smooth, melancholy melody, creates a powerful emotional effect. The song speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak, and the powerful lingering feelings that can shape our lives long after a relationship has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
Most of the time I'm lyin' here crying
I spend a lot of my time laying here in sadness.
I think oh how nice it would be
Sometimes I imagine how great it would feel if we were back together again.
If we both would be back together
I wish that we could rekindle our relationship.
And forget the troubles that have set us free
We could forget about the issues that separated us in the first place.
I think of doing things but I'd be sorry
I consider trying to move on, but I know that I would regret it.
Bout trying to find somebody new
I think about trying to find someone else to fill the void.
I think of lots of things to ease my sorrow
I try to come up with ways to alleviate my pain.
But most of the time I think of you
However, most of the time my thoughts always lead back to you.
Most of the time I'm lyin' here wondering
I spend a lot of time wondering what you're doing.
If maybe you're out with someone new
I imagine that you might be spending your time with someone else.
You wouldn't if you knew how much it hurts me
You would not be seeing other people if you knew how much it hurt me to think about it.
When I think that someone else is holding you
I feel pained when I imagine someone else with you.
Most of the time I'm so lonely
Loneliness is a constant feeling for me.
The rest of the time I'm so blue
When I'm not lonely, I still feel unhappy.
Part of my time I spend in slumber
Sleep is sometimes an escape for me.
But most of the time I think of you
But most of the time, even in my dreams, you are on my mind.
Contributed by Dylan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cathleen Berreie
He had such an excellent voice...gosh, I just love his songs!!!
Pat Sweet
I love His voice and singing !!!! Thank -you WOW
DookkyP
Nice song. Keep real country alive.
DAVE MANNING
THANK GOD YOU CAN STILL FIND GOOD MUSIC THANKS FOR SHARING
Connie Mitchell
A good country singer.
Colin Purssey
This cat can really cut it ! Wouldn't know how to make a bad song.
dvdman49
Yes, thank for listening!
dvdman49
Thank for the listen!
James Martin
Hear the true South
and sincere heart...
Some of my people now in heaven....picked
Cotton....loved God...
Loyal friends....I'll see
Them again Lord..
Thank you...for their
Love to me....Jim
..
TheDaveMaybe
This sounds like something Hank Williams would have done