1970 Classic Ballad, Inspired by Frank Sinatra, Is One of Country Music's Most Covered Songs
In 1970, actor and musician Kris Kristofferson wrote the ballad "Help Me Make It Through the Night" after being inspired by a Frank Sinatra quote. Speaking to Esquire magazine, Sinatra was asked what he believed in. He answered with, "Booze, broads, or a bible ... whatever helps me make it through the night."
Kristofferson originally offered "Help Me Make It Through the Night" to singer Dottie West, with whom he was staying at the time. However, she initially felt it was "too suggestive" for her. Kristofferson ended up putting the track on his debut album, Kristofferson.
West would eventually record a version for her album, Careless Hands. She later said declining the song when initially offered was one of her "greatest regrets" pertaining to her career.
In May of 1970, Sammi Smith recorded a version that went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Smith's version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
"Help Me Make It Through the Night" is one of the most often covered songs in country music. Other notable artists who have covered "Help Me Make It Through the Night" include:
- Tammy Wynette
- Johnny Cash
- Elvis Presley
- Michal Bublé
- Loren Allred
- Gladys Knight & the Pips
- Willie Nelson
While Kristofferson is responsible for the song as the creator and songwriter, Smith's recording remains the most commercially and critically successful. On top of the Grammy notoriety, in 2024, Rolling Stone ranked her version at No. 71 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time list. Her version of "Help Me Make It Through the Night" is one of the most successful country singles of all time in terms of sales, popularity, and radio play. Additionally, her cover topped the country singles chart and was also a crossover hit in terms of genre, reaching No. 8 on the U.S. pop singles chart.
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 10:30 PM.