Gladys Knight, born on May 28, 1944, developed her singing style while singing with her family at Baptist church functions. Though the group first released recordings in 1958, their career really got started when Motown founder Berry Gordy witnessed them perform at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1966 and felt very impressed. With a career following spanning decade after decade, featuring many hits, the group has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Help me make it throug the night
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake it loose and let it fall
Layin' soft against your skin
Like the shadow on the wall
Come and lay down by ma side
Till the early mornin' light
All I'm takin' is your time
I don't care what's right or wrong
'N' I won't try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
Oh, tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
And it's so sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
Mmm mm mm mm
Mmm mm mm mm
Lord it's so sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
Uhu, lead me through the night, uhu
Come on and take me through the night, uhu
Through the night
Gladys Knight & The Pips's song Help Me Make It Through The Night, written by Kris Kristofferson, speaks of a lonely night where the only comfort sought is that of a friend. The first two lines of the song, when the singer asks the love interest to take the ribbon from her hair and shake it loose, is a metaphor for the singer's desire to expose herself to the love interest. The ribbon here represents the singer's social barriers and the request to shake it loose represents her willingness to overcome those barriers in front of the love interest.
When the singer asks the love interest to lay behind her with the soft ribbon resting against his skin, it reflects the singer's need to be comforted and reassured. The contrasting metaphor of the shadow on the wall, is a poetic representation of the singer's desire to forget everything that happens beyond the room they are in just for one night of solace with someone and create their own reality.
Throughout the song, the singer speaks of the importance of having someone to lean on, even if it's just for a night. The singer acknowledges that she does not care about what is right or wrong, but instead, focuses on the here and now, the opportunity for companionship. In a world that is moving so fast, the singer recognizes the importance of taking one step at a time and finding happiness in small victories.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the ribbon from my hair
Remove the symbol of my femininity and social expectation placed on my gender.
Shake it loose and let it fall
Let go of the pressures and expectations that society places on women and embrace freedom.
Layin' soft against your skin
Using physical touch as a way to connect with you intimately.
Like the shadow on the wall
An imagery that represents how the artist's presence can be felt without being seen or heard.
Come and lay down by ma side
A call to intimacy and companionship to fill an emotional void.
Till the early mornin' light
Spending the night together in a bond of shared intimacy and comfort.
All I'm takin' is your time
Asking for only the gift of time, both as intimacy and as a way to escape reality.
Help me make it through the night
Asking for emotional support to survive the night, the darkness, and the isolation of being alone.
I don't care what's right or wrong
Willingness to forgo moral judgment and social conventions in exchange for comfort and companionship.
'N' I won't try to understand
Seeking momentary respite rather than answers or explanations.
Let the devil take tomorrow
An acceptance and resignation to the inevitable difficulties that may come with the future.
Oh, tonight I need a friend
Admitting vulnerability and a need for emotional support and human connection.
Yesterday is dead and gone
Acknowledging the past as something that cannot be changed or undone.
And tomorrow's out of sight
The future is uncertain and cannot be relied upon, so seeking comfort and companionship in the present.
And it's so sad to be alone
Expressing the sorrow and pain that comes with isolation and loneliness.
Mmm mm mm mm
A harmonization that sets a mellow and comforting tone.
Uhu, lead me through the night, uhu
A repeating appeal for companionship and emotional support throughout the night.
Come on and take me through the night, uhu
A plea for physical and emotional intimacy to dispel loneliness and isolation throughout the night.
Through the night
Throughout the night, the time of darkness, sorrow, and loneliness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hollyawoods
You can hear the pain in her voice when she sings “Lord it’s so sad to be alone, help me make it through the night, come on and take me through the night.” I still get goose bumps when she sings those words. We’ve all been there and it resonates.
@AussieJohnny
OMG I hadn't heard this wonderful song since the 1970s. The sheer emotion from Gladys really gets to me. Beautiful version of a classic song. ❤❤❤💘
@ceejayl5350
Anyone else HERE in 2020 #LOVE
#2023 and I’m back here because my mom introduced me to this song and this is 1 year she has past today so I’m here for a peace of mind ❤
@MsIllumination64
the worse feeling in the world is to be "Lonely" Being Married and lonely is the absolute worse
@catstevens9217
MsIllumination64 : that would be a terrible feeling!! And that’s why I would never get married.. I’d rather be alone until.....
I love this song!!!
@molarguy
@Mel Wood81 P
@cobrakaiguy4185
Love is always with u xxx
@matthysgrobler2965
Nothing without Christ works... He has to be the foundation for everithing... YOUR SOUL needs to get back to your Creator! "NO ONE GETS TO GOD BUT THROUGH CHRIST! You should make HIM first in all and you will find the right partner to live with you for HIS glory and not your worldly and fleshly needs and wants! We are living in a time to rejoice!!!! when the truth of the holy word of GOD is there for us to witness we need to welcome and prepare for the GLORIOUS coming of the SON of GOD! "FOR EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT CHRIST IS LORD!
@gregorythomas4470
Did it for over 20 yrs. once my youngest was grown I left and immediately felt the sun shine in my life again.
@jo36hn
i've shed man tears over this lost the love of my life to cancer and this was her song her gran sang to her she will be in my heart forever