Connie Smith (born Constance June Meador 14 August 1941, in Elkhart, Indian… Read Full Bio ↴Connie Smith (born Constance June Meador 14 August 1941, in Elkhart, Indiana) is an American country music singer. She is best known for her 1964 hit song "Once a Day", which spent 8 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Country music charts, the longest of any female country music artist in history. This was Smith's only single to reach the No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts.
In less than a year, Connie Smith moved from being a small-town Ohio housewife to country stardom with a number one single to her credit. Perhaps overly compared to and identified with Patsy Cline, Smith is still considered by many to be one of the best and most underrated vocalists in country history. Her lonely desperation came straight from the heart, also: Her father was abusive when she was a child, causing Smith to suffer a mental breakdown while she was in her teens. [1]
"Once a Day" launched Connie Smith straight to the top of the country music industry and, for a brief period, she was one of the top female stars of the genre during the mid 1960s. Although she never achieved the level of commercial success as some of her contemporaries, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Lynn Anderson and Dolly Parton, she is often hailed by music critics as one of the finest voices in country music, voted in 2001 by fellow artists and members of the Country Music industry as #9 of the 40 Greatest Women of Country Music of all time (CMT).Biography & career
[edit] Early life & rise to fame
Smith was born Constance June Meador in 1941 in Elkhart, Indiana. Although she was born in Indiana, she spent much of her early years in West Virginia and later in Ohio. Both of Smith's parents were from West Virginia. Her father was abusive when she was a child, causing Smith to suffer a mental breakdown while she was in her teens. [2] In West Virginia, she began to start singing locally. She was soon married and became a housewife and had children. By the early 1960s, Smith had already become a married woman with a four-month old son, living in Marietta, Ohio. During this time, Smith started singing locally again and appeared on local TV shows around her hometown area. While singing near Columbus, Ohio in August 1963, she was discovered by country singer Bill Anderson after winning a talent show contest. He recognized Smith's talents and offered his help into getting Smith a recording contract, Smith accepted his offer. A few months later, she was signed onto RCA Records, where she worked with legendary RCA producer Chet Atkins.
[edit] The success of "Once a Day" & the peak of her career in the 60s
At RCA, Smith recorded her signature song, "Once a Day" during one of her first sessions at the studio. The song, written by Bill Anderson took him over two years to write. He finally finished the song after hearing Smith needed songs for her recording sessions. "Once a Day", was released as a single in September and hit the top of the country charts, reigning as number one for eight weeks. [3]
To date, "Once a Day" is still the longest song in Country music history to stay at the No. 1 spot on the Country charts. The only other frmale singer who has recently came close to Smith's long-standing record was Carrie Underwood, who's 2006's "Jesus Take the Wheel" spent six weeks at the No. 1 spot. "Once a Day" is Smith's only No. 1 Country hit to date.
Image:Connie Smith-Opry.jpg
Connie Smith performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee in June 2004.Smith's follow-up, "Then and Only Then," hit number four (even the flip side reached the Top 25), and her Top Ten streak continued until late 1968, including the big hits "If I Talk to Him," "Ain't Had No Lovin'," and "The Hurtin's All Over." [4] Between 1965 and 1966 Smith had three No. 1 Billboard Country albums, Connie Smith, Cute 'n' Country, and Born to Sing. At this time, Smith was one of the most successful female vocalists of the genre, having the similar success Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette would later have. During this time, Smith had been twice nominated for Grammy Awards, one for "Once a Day" in 1965 and another for "Ain't Had No Lovin'" in 1967.
Meanwhile, her success began to take a toll; constant appearances on the road, in films, and on The Lawrence Welk Show pushed Smith to the brink of suicide in 1968. She credits her Christian faith with saving her from killing herself. [5] In 1969, Smith did a cover version of Marty Robbins' 1965 No. 1 hit "Ribbon Of Darkness," that made it to No. 13 on the Country singles chart. That same year, she recorded a duet album with Nat Stuckey entitled Young Love. A single also called "Young Love", which was originally a hit for Sonny James in 1956, only made it to No. 20 for Smith. Connie and Nat also did a gospel album in 1970 called Sunday Morning With Connie and Nat -- later re-released in 2001 under the title God Will.
She was a top draw in country music concert venues and even branched into minor movie stardom, appearing in such films as Las Vegas Hillbillys (1966) with Ferlin Husky and Jayne Mansfield, and "Hell's Angels on Wheels" (1967) with Marty Robbins. Nevertheless, Smith did not give her career 100 percent like many of her contemporaries, touring considerably less, stating her main priority was being a wife and mother.
[edit] Career slows down in the 1970s
After Smith recovered from the pressure of being a female country star, she began to balance chart success with a lighter schedule. Though her country hits were rarer than in her mid-'60s heyday, she was a better performer β and person β for it. Smith still managed the Top Tens "You and Your Sweet Love" in 1969, "I Never Once Stopped Loving You" the following year, and "Just One Time" in 1971. Her most successful year during the '70s was 1972. She recorded three big hits: the number five "Just What I Am," the number seven "If It Ain't Love (Let's Leave It Alone)," and the number eight "Love Is the Look You're Looking For." [6] Smith continued to cut a lot of hits by Bill Anderson, but also cut a lot by Dallas Frazier, including, "If It Ain't Love (Let's Leave It Alone)".
By 1972, Smith began to incorporate more Gospel into her act. With the help of her third husband, Evangelist Marshall Haynes, she turned her live show into a traveling gospel road show and signed with Columbia, which permitted her to record more straight gospel songs. Though the material didn't score as well on the charts as her secular singles had, she managed to stay in the Top 20 during much of the '70s. [7] Smith recorded more Gospel albums under Columbia, including 1974's God Is Abundant, and was nominated for Grammy for Best Gospel Performance for her song, "All the Praises". Smith's Country career, didn't remain as successful, her hits rarely hit the Top 10. Her last Top 10 came in 1976 with "('Til) I Kissed You", which peaked at No. 10, the very top of the top 10.
Image:Connie Smith-Newer.jpg
Connie Smith later photo.When Smith was signed to Monument, she broke away from recording too much Gospel. Instead, Smith's Country music got more Pop-sounding, as Smith was keeping up with the times, during a the time when Country music was becoming more Pop-sounding. This type of sound was evident in some of her biggest hits from the late 70s, including the Top 10, "(Till) I Kissed You" and "I Don't Want to Talk It Over Anymore".
After she signed with Monument in 1977, most of her singles dropped out of the Top 40. [8] Her 1978 single "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" was Smith's last significant hit on the country music charts, making it to No. 14. The single was originally a hit for Barry Gibb, who formed the popular Pop group The Bee Gees. Smith's version has been said to be the only notable cover version because it sounds like the original. As for her other singles released between 1978 and 1979 (most notably, "Smooth Sailin'" and "Ten Thousand and One"), they failed to become hits, and peaked outside the Country Top 40. Although these songs were updated to fit the time period, Smith was not one hundred percent focused on touring, performing and promotiing, focusing more of her time on family and later raising her children, which is one of the reasons for why she later temporarily left the business.
Smith was nominated three times for the Country Music Association "Female Vocalist of the Year" award and earned 10 various Grammy nominations but has won neither. Smith has also occasionally dabbled in songwriting, penning over 30 songs and earning a Broadcast Music Incorporated award for her 1967 hit "I'll Come Running." Another Smith-penned hit "You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me" was later recorded by Reba McEntire.
[edit] Later career & life today
Smith left Monument records in 1979, and officially left recording and touring for awhile for Smith to raise her children. However, in 1985, Smith returned on the Epic Records label to record one single titled, "A Far Cry From You", which peaked at only at No. 71. No album was ever released from the label. Smith did not release any studio albums in the 1980s.
In 1992, she released her first album in many years called The Wayward Wind. The following year, Smith did a live album entitled Live In Branson, Missouri, USA. Since 1997, she has been married to 90s Neo-Traditionalist Country star Marty Stuart, 17 years her junior. Connie and Marty actually met back in the 60's when as a kid he went to see her in concert. On the way home he reportedly told his mother "One day I'll marry her!" The two met again while Stuart was producing Smith's 1998 comeback album, Connie Smith. Although the album didn't gain any attention, Smith co-wrote nine of the ten tracks on the album. The album was released on Stuart's label, Warner Brothers. In 2003, Connie Smith released a Christian album with Barbara Fairchild and Sharon White (from the country group The Whites) entitled Love Never Fails.
In 2002, Smith was voted at No. 9 on CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music, one of the highest honors of her career. George Jones also credits Smith as his favorite female country music singer in his book I Lived To Tell It All.
Dolly Parton has also credited Smith by once saying, "Thereβs only three real female singers: Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, and Connie Smith. The rest of us are only pretending." The quote was put on Smith's 1995 comnpilation album by RCA, The Essential Connie Smith.
Most recently country singer Martina McBride recorded a cover version of Smith's signature tune "Once a Day" and was put in McBride's 2005 album, Timeless. Smith continues to be a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry, and when not on the Opry, she does occasional dates with her husband. As a solo artist, Smith continues to tour on her own. In May 2007, she sang "A World of Our Own", a hit for Sonny James, at the Country Music Hall of Fame's Medallion Ceremony honoring James' induction into the Hall of Fame. In 2007, Smith joined her husband on his album, Compadres for a duet.
[edit] Personal life
Smith has been through many marriages. Now Smith is married to Stuart. Smith has five children and five grandchildren. One of children lives overseas in Norway. Smith is a devout Christian, and has made pilgrimages to Israel in the past, including one with Waylon Jennings and his wife, Country singer Jessi Colter.
[edit] Awards & Nominations
Year Award Program Award Result
1964 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal, "Once a Day" Nominated
1964 Grammy Awards Best New Country Artist Nominated
1964 Grammy Awards Best Country & Western Single, "Once A Day" Nominated
1966 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal, "Ain't Had No Lovin'" Nominated
1966 Grammy Awards Best Sacred Recording, "Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs" Nominated
1967 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal, "Cincinnati, Ohio" Nominated
1967 CMA Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
1969 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal, "Ribbon Of Darkness" Nominated
1969 Grammy Awards Best Sacred Performance, "Whispering Hope" with Nat Stuckey Nominated
1970 CMA Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
1972 CMA Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
1972 Music City News Top Female Vocalist Nominated
1973 Grammy Awards Best Inspirational Performance, "All the Praises" Nominated
1974 Music City News Top Female Vocalist Nominated
1975 Music City News Top Female Vocalist Nominated
1975 Grammy Awards Best Gospel Performance (Other Than Soul Gospel), "Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel" Nominated
1979 Music City News Gospel Group/Act of the Year Won
[edit] Discography
Main article: Connie Smith discography
[edit] DVD Releases featuring Connie Smith
1966 Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar (performs "Once a Day"). Time Life, 2006. See review of the movie on this URL: In the Balcony - Latest DVD Views.
1966 The Las Vegas Hillbillys (performs "Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You)"). VCI Home Video, 2000. URL: VCI Entertainment
1967 Road to Nashville (performs "I'll Never Get Over Loving You", "Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You)"). Rhino, 2000. URL:Rhino.
1967 Hell on Wheels (performs 2 songs). Rhino, 2000.
[edit] References
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith biography at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
Cooper, Daniel. (1998). "Connie Smith". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 490-1.
[edit] External links
Connie Smith at CMT.com
Connie Smith at Opry.com
Connie Smith at All Music Guide
Connie Smith Brief Biography & Annotated discography
Connie Smith at LP Discography to the left: scroll down to 'S' and to 'SMITH Connie' (this discography is quite complete w/ original picture sleeves, chart positions and lyrics)
In less than a year, Connie Smith moved from being a small-town Ohio housewife to country stardom with a number one single to her credit. Perhaps overly compared to and identified with Patsy Cline, Smith is still considered by many to be one of the best and most underrated vocalists in country history. Her lonely desperation came straight from the heart, also: Her father was abusive when she was a child, causing Smith to suffer a mental breakdown while she was in her teens. [1]
"Once a Day" launched Connie Smith straight to the top of the country music industry and, for a brief period, she was one of the top female stars of the genre during the mid 1960s. Although she never achieved the level of commercial success as some of her contemporaries, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Lynn Anderson and Dolly Parton, she is often hailed by music critics as one of the finest voices in country music, voted in 2001 by fellow artists and members of the Country Music industry as #9 of the 40 Greatest Women of Country Music of all time (CMT).Biography & career
[edit] Early life & rise to fame
Smith was born Constance June Meador in 1941 in Elkhart, Indiana. Although she was born in Indiana, she spent much of her early years in West Virginia and later in Ohio. Both of Smith's parents were from West Virginia. Her father was abusive when she was a child, causing Smith to suffer a mental breakdown while she was in her teens. [2] In West Virginia, she began to start singing locally. She was soon married and became a housewife and had children. By the early 1960s, Smith had already become a married woman with a four-month old son, living in Marietta, Ohio. During this time, Smith started singing locally again and appeared on local TV shows around her hometown area. While singing near Columbus, Ohio in August 1963, she was discovered by country singer Bill Anderson after winning a talent show contest. He recognized Smith's talents and offered his help into getting Smith a recording contract, Smith accepted his offer. A few months later, she was signed onto RCA Records, where she worked with legendary RCA producer Chet Atkins.
[edit] The success of "Once a Day" & the peak of her career in the 60s
At RCA, Smith recorded her signature song, "Once a Day" during one of her first sessions at the studio. The song, written by Bill Anderson took him over two years to write. He finally finished the song after hearing Smith needed songs for her recording sessions. "Once a Day", was released as a single in September and hit the top of the country charts, reigning as number one for eight weeks. [3]
To date, "Once a Day" is still the longest song in Country music history to stay at the No. 1 spot on the Country charts. The only other frmale singer who has recently came close to Smith's long-standing record was Carrie Underwood, who's 2006's "Jesus Take the Wheel" spent six weeks at the No. 1 spot. "Once a Day" is Smith's only No. 1 Country hit to date.
Image:Connie Smith-Opry.jpg
Connie Smith performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee in June 2004.Smith's follow-up, "Then and Only Then," hit number four (even the flip side reached the Top 25), and her Top Ten streak continued until late 1968, including the big hits "If I Talk to Him," "Ain't Had No Lovin'," and "The Hurtin's All Over." [4] Between 1965 and 1966 Smith had three No. 1 Billboard Country albums, Connie Smith, Cute 'n' Country, and Born to Sing. At this time, Smith was one of the most successful female vocalists of the genre, having the similar success Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette would later have. During this time, Smith had been twice nominated for Grammy Awards, one for "Once a Day" in 1965 and another for "Ain't Had No Lovin'" in 1967.
Meanwhile, her success began to take a toll; constant appearances on the road, in films, and on The Lawrence Welk Show pushed Smith to the brink of suicide in 1968. She credits her Christian faith with saving her from killing herself. [5] In 1969, Smith did a cover version of Marty Robbins' 1965 No. 1 hit "Ribbon Of Darkness," that made it to No. 13 on the Country singles chart. That same year, she recorded a duet album with Nat Stuckey entitled Young Love. A single also called "Young Love", which was originally a hit for Sonny James in 1956, only made it to No. 20 for Smith. Connie and Nat also did a gospel album in 1970 called Sunday Morning With Connie and Nat -- later re-released in 2001 under the title God Will.
She was a top draw in country music concert venues and even branched into minor movie stardom, appearing in such films as Las Vegas Hillbillys (1966) with Ferlin Husky and Jayne Mansfield, and "Hell's Angels on Wheels" (1967) with Marty Robbins. Nevertheless, Smith did not give her career 100 percent like many of her contemporaries, touring considerably less, stating her main priority was being a wife and mother.
[edit] Career slows down in the 1970s
After Smith recovered from the pressure of being a female country star, she began to balance chart success with a lighter schedule. Though her country hits were rarer than in her mid-'60s heyday, she was a better performer β and person β for it. Smith still managed the Top Tens "You and Your Sweet Love" in 1969, "I Never Once Stopped Loving You" the following year, and "Just One Time" in 1971. Her most successful year during the '70s was 1972. She recorded three big hits: the number five "Just What I Am," the number seven "If It Ain't Love (Let's Leave It Alone)," and the number eight "Love Is the Look You're Looking For." [6] Smith continued to cut a lot of hits by Bill Anderson, but also cut a lot by Dallas Frazier, including, "If It Ain't Love (Let's Leave It Alone)".
By 1972, Smith began to incorporate more Gospel into her act. With the help of her third husband, Evangelist Marshall Haynes, she turned her live show into a traveling gospel road show and signed with Columbia, which permitted her to record more straight gospel songs. Though the material didn't score as well on the charts as her secular singles had, she managed to stay in the Top 20 during much of the '70s. [7] Smith recorded more Gospel albums under Columbia, including 1974's God Is Abundant, and was nominated for Grammy for Best Gospel Performance for her song, "All the Praises". Smith's Country career, didn't remain as successful, her hits rarely hit the Top 10. Her last Top 10 came in 1976 with "('Til) I Kissed You", which peaked at No. 10, the very top of the top 10.
Image:Connie Smith-Newer.jpg
Connie Smith later photo.When Smith was signed to Monument, she broke away from recording too much Gospel. Instead, Smith's Country music got more Pop-sounding, as Smith was keeping up with the times, during a the time when Country music was becoming more Pop-sounding. This type of sound was evident in some of her biggest hits from the late 70s, including the Top 10, "(Till) I Kissed You" and "I Don't Want to Talk It Over Anymore".
After she signed with Monument in 1977, most of her singles dropped out of the Top 40. [8] Her 1978 single "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" was Smith's last significant hit on the country music charts, making it to No. 14. The single was originally a hit for Barry Gibb, who formed the popular Pop group The Bee Gees. Smith's version has been said to be the only notable cover version because it sounds like the original. As for her other singles released between 1978 and 1979 (most notably, "Smooth Sailin'" and "Ten Thousand and One"), they failed to become hits, and peaked outside the Country Top 40. Although these songs were updated to fit the time period, Smith was not one hundred percent focused on touring, performing and promotiing, focusing more of her time on family and later raising her children, which is one of the reasons for why she later temporarily left the business.
Smith was nominated three times for the Country Music Association "Female Vocalist of the Year" award and earned 10 various Grammy nominations but has won neither. Smith has also occasionally dabbled in songwriting, penning over 30 songs and earning a Broadcast Music Incorporated award for her 1967 hit "I'll Come Running." Another Smith-penned hit "You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me" was later recorded by Reba McEntire.
[edit] Later career & life today
Smith left Monument records in 1979, and officially left recording and touring for awhile for Smith to raise her children. However, in 1985, Smith returned on the Epic Records label to record one single titled, "A Far Cry From You", which peaked at only at No. 71. No album was ever released from the label. Smith did not release any studio albums in the 1980s.
In 1992, she released her first album in many years called The Wayward Wind. The following year, Smith did a live album entitled Live In Branson, Missouri, USA. Since 1997, she has been married to 90s Neo-Traditionalist Country star Marty Stuart, 17 years her junior. Connie and Marty actually met back in the 60's when as a kid he went to see her in concert. On the way home he reportedly told his mother "One day I'll marry her!" The two met again while Stuart was producing Smith's 1998 comeback album, Connie Smith. Although the album didn't gain any attention, Smith co-wrote nine of the ten tracks on the album. The album was released on Stuart's label, Warner Brothers. In 2003, Connie Smith released a Christian album with Barbara Fairchild and Sharon White (from the country group The Whites) entitled Love Never Fails.
In 2002, Smith was voted at No. 9 on CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music, one of the highest honors of her career. George Jones also credits Smith as his favorite female country music singer in his book I Lived To Tell It All.
Dolly Parton has also credited Smith by once saying, "Thereβs only three real female singers: Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, and Connie Smith. The rest of us are only pretending." The quote was put on Smith's 1995 comnpilation album by RCA, The Essential Connie Smith.
Most recently country singer Martina McBride recorded a cover version of Smith's signature tune "Once a Day" and was put in McBride's 2005 album, Timeless. Smith continues to be a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry, and when not on the Opry, she does occasional dates with her husband. As a solo artist, Smith continues to tour on her own. In May 2007, she sang "A World of Our Own", a hit for Sonny James, at the Country Music Hall of Fame's Medallion Ceremony honoring James' induction into the Hall of Fame. In 2007, Smith joined her husband on his album, Compadres for a duet.
[edit] Personal life
Smith has been through many marriages. Now Smith is married to Stuart. Smith has five children and five grandchildren. One of children lives overseas in Norway. Smith is a devout Christian, and has made pilgrimages to Israel in the past, including one with Waylon Jennings and his wife, Country singer Jessi Colter.
[edit] Awards & Nominations
Year Award Program Award Result
1964 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal, "Once a Day" Nominated
1964 Grammy Awards Best New Country Artist Nominated
1964 Grammy Awards Best Country & Western Single, "Once A Day" Nominated
1966 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal, "Ain't Had No Lovin'" Nominated
1966 Grammy Awards Best Sacred Recording, "Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs" Nominated
1967 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal, "Cincinnati, Ohio" Nominated
1967 CMA Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
1969 Grammy Awards Best Female Country Vocal, "Ribbon Of Darkness" Nominated
1969 Grammy Awards Best Sacred Performance, "Whispering Hope" with Nat Stuckey Nominated
1970 CMA Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
1972 CMA Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
1972 Music City News Top Female Vocalist Nominated
1973 Grammy Awards Best Inspirational Performance, "All the Praises" Nominated
1974 Music City News Top Female Vocalist Nominated
1975 Music City News Top Female Vocalist Nominated
1975 Grammy Awards Best Gospel Performance (Other Than Soul Gospel), "Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel" Nominated
1979 Music City News Gospel Group/Act of the Year Won
[edit] Discography
Main article: Connie Smith discography
[edit] DVD Releases featuring Connie Smith
1966 Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar (performs "Once a Day"). Time Life, 2006. See review of the movie on this URL: In the Balcony - Latest DVD Views.
1966 The Las Vegas Hillbillys (performs "Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You)"). VCI Home Video, 2000. URL: VCI Entertainment
1967 Road to Nashville (performs "I'll Never Get Over Loving You", "Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You)"). Rhino, 2000. URL:Rhino.
1967 Hell on Wheels (performs 2 songs). Rhino, 2000.
[edit] References
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith biography at All Music Guide
^ Connie Smith at All Music Guide
Cooper, Daniel. (1998). "Connie Smith". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 490-1.
[edit] External links
Connie Smith at CMT.com
Connie Smith at Opry.com
Connie Smith at All Music Guide
Connie Smith Brief Biography & Annotated discography
Connie Smith at LP Discography to the left: scroll down to 'S' and to 'SMITH Connie' (this discography is quite complete w/ original picture sleeves, chart positions and lyrics)
Help Me
Connie Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is something in your heart weighing heavy on my mind
You need gentle arms to hold you like these gentle arms of mine
You need love and understanding and a shoulder you can cry on
You need someone to rely on you don't have to be alone
Let me help you work it out help you face the situation
May I offer consolation let me help you work it out
Let me help you work it out I'm the one who'll always care
When you need me I'll be there let me help you work it out
Let me help you work it out
You need gentle arms to hold you like these gentle arms of mine
You need love and understanding and a shoulder you can cry on
You need someone to rely on you don't have to be alone
Let me help you work it out help you face the situation
May I offer consolation let me help you work it out
Let me help you work it out I'm the one who'll always care
Let me help you work it out
The lyrics of Connie Smith & Nat Stuckey's song Let It Be Me convey a message of empathy, comfort, and compassion towards someone who is going through a tough time. The opening line suggests that the person being addressed is carrying a burden in their heart that is troubling them, and the singer is willing to lend a listening ear and a comforting embrace to help ease their pain. The use of the word "gentle" in describing the singer's arms reinforces the idea that they are supportive and nurturing, emphasizing the vulnerability and tenderness of the situation.
The second verse continues with this theme, as the singer recognizes the need for love, understanding, and a reassuring presence in the person's life. The line "someone to rely on you don't have to be alone" is particularly poignant, as it highlights the isolation that often accompanies personal struggles. The singer is offering themselves as a steady anchor in the storm, ready to help the person "work it out" and find a way forward.
Overall, the lyrics of Let It Be Me convey a message of solidarity and compassion that is both soothing and empowering. By acknowledging the pain of others and offering a supportive presence, the singer is providing an important reminder that we all need help and comfort from time to time, and that there is strength in seeking and accepting that help.
Line by Line Meaning
There is something in your heart weighing heavy on my mind
I sense that there is a burden in your heart that is troubling you, and it is also troubling me.
You need gentle arms to hold you like these gentle arms of mine
You require tender and comforting support, and I am willing to offer you the same.
You need love and understanding and a shoulder you can cry on
You need affection and empathy that goes beyond surface level, and someone who can be there for you even when you are in tears.
You need someone to rely on you don't have to be alone
You need a dependable person whom you can count on, and someone who can be with you through thick and thin so you never feel lonely.
Let me help you work it out help you face the situation
Allow me to assist you in resolving this problem and confront the situation with you.
May I offer consolation let me help you work it out
Would you permit me to provide some comfort and aid as we work towards resolving the issue together?
Let me help you work it out I'm the one who'll always care
I am the person who will always be there for you, providing constant support as we go through this process.
When you need me I'll be there let me help you work it out
Whenever you require my assistance, I will be present, ready to lend a hand as we come up with a solution.
Let me help you work it out
Overall, I am offering my help to work this situation out and provide companionship, love, and support as you navigate through it.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILL RICE, JERRY FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@sylvester63
Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Lay it soft against my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early morning light
All I'm takin' is your time
Help me make it through the night
"Help Me Make It Through The Night" is a country music ballad written and composed by Kris Kristofferson and released on his 1970 album Kristofferson. It was covered later in 1970 by Sammi Smith, on the album Help Me Make It Through the Night.
@waynejohanson1083
That Kris Kristofferson was one great songwriter.
@jimshackleford8712
Sure miss them good old days of music
@drydirttelepathy6150
This song popped in my head today. The world is sad and beautiful place. Magic!!!!
@mimisgirls1
I met my husband in April of 1971, and we were married in November of that year. When I first heard this song, I looked into his eyes, and my heart burst with love for him. There was never another man that I wanted to take the ribbon from my hair and to lay down by my side...he was the only one. I've listened to this song hundreds of times over the years, always remembering listening and looking into his face all those years ago, as if it was yesterday. We were married just 2 months shy of 50 years. He died in the hospital from complications from covid last August. My world was shattered, my heart broken into a million pieces. The words from this song "its sad to be alone" have a different meaning for me now than they did back then, but I know the lonely nights will end, and we'll be together again soon.
@mikesmith8440
I met my wife sue in 1971 August 2 I was 18 and we married on 27th November of same year we met on the isle of Wight and were together for 38 yrs before I lost her my love for her has never died I'm alone too but only in spirit she was in the words of non Marley my one love xxx
@janiceb.2523
MY CONDOLENCES SWEETIE. I LOST MY DAUGHTER IN SEPTEMBER DUE TO COVID BUT HER BIRTHDAY WAS IN AUGUST. MANY BLESSINGS. SOME DO NOT KNOW OF THE LOVE YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND HAD. HUGS β€
@LoneLee2022
Rips your heart out..................
@jamesgressler678
-Wow Sammi you had it all!
@evafagundo6263
so sorry for your loss I also lost my husband I know exactly what you're feeling ππ
@robertwhite7594
It's good to see that my Grandmother is still bringing happiness to those with her music. She was truly one of a kind.