In 1952 he joins an international competition for the first time in Belfast, Ireland, where he wins the first prize.
However it takes till 1954 before he records his first songs, mainly songs about life at sea and some country music.
He soon extends his career by learning to act, and he will join several movies in Germany.
1956 sees Freddy representing Germany at the first Eurovision Song Contest together with Walter Andreas Schwarz. It is the only year that countries enter the contest with two songs. No points are given, and only the winner, Lys Assia is anounced.
Freddy's songs however become instant hits in Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Belgium and several other countries.
"La Paloma","Junge, komm bald wieder" and "Die Gitarre und das Meer" bring him fame, golden records and many awards.
Freddy keeps singing all his life, and in 2002 he makes his last tour, which ends in the city where he is born : Vienna.
Help me make it through the night
Freddy Quinn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake it loose and let it fall
Layin' soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early mornin' light
All I'm takin' is your time
I don't care who's right or wrong
I don't try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
Lord tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
And it's sad to be alone
Freddy Quinn’s song, Help Me Make It Through The Night, is a heart-wrenching tale of loneliness and desperation. In the opening lines, the singer is pleading with his lover to loosen her hair and lay it upon his skin like a soft shadow on the wall. He implores her to stay with him till the early morning light, and all he wants is her time to help him make it through the night. The singer is facing a moment of extreme vulnerability and loneliness, and all he desires is the warmth and comfort of another person. He’s not concerned with who’s right or wrong, and he doesn’t try to understand. All he wants is for the devil to take tomorrow and for tonight to be a friend.
The second verse of the song emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and how our present moments are all we have. Yesterday is dead and gone, and tomorrow’s out of sight, so it’s sad to be alone. The sense of desperation in the singer’s voice is palpable. He needs comfort, connection, and intimacy to give him the strength to make it through the night. The final verse of the song brings the emotional journey full circle, with the singer realizing that the morning light is fast approaching, and soon his lover will be gone. As he watches her dress, he understands that without her, he’ll be facing another day of loneliness and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the ribbon from your hair
Remove the ribbon from your hair, so it falls loosely and delicately on me.
Shake it loose and let it fall
Let your hair fall freely, without any constraints or reservations.
Layin' soft upon my skin
Your hair so soft and delicate like fallen petals from a flower, gently falling onto my skin.
Like the shadows on the wall
Just like the shadows cast on the wall - present but without substance. A mere beautiful and aesthetic phenomenon without any real significance.
Come and lay down by my side
Join me in bed and be near me, feel both the comfort and the warmth of our relationship.
Till the early mornin' light
Stay in bed with me until the sun shines through the window - it's likely everything will decline thereafter.
All I'm takin' is your time
All that matters to me is that we have each other for this moment in time - I want nothing else from you.
Help me make it through the night
Stay with me through the night as I’m finding it hard to go through it alone.
I don't care who's right or wrong
None of this matters, I don't want to argue about the origins of our problems. The arguments and their justifications hold no meaning.
I don't try to understand
Why this is happening I have no idea, I cannot comprehend it in my mind. Therefore, I will merely let it happen.
Let the devil take tomorrow
I am not afraid of what the future holds, I'm unexpectedly thrilled to see the present through with you. Whatever happens tomorrow is the consequence of an unthinkable unknown that is not worth worrying about right now.
Lord tonight I need a friend
Right now I just need someone, anyone to be with me, helping to make it through the night.
Yesterday is dead and gone
There is no merit in talking about yesterday. It is dead and gone, it is non-returnable.
And tomorrow's out of sight
Tomorrow is not here yet, it has not happened. Therefore, we should not let the future congeal our present. It is only the now that is important.
And it's sad to be alone
I'd rather not be alone right now as it makes me feel unhappy and melancholy. You are the person I need, and you are here which makes me feel optimistic and content.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind