Help Me Make It Through the Night

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"Help Me Make It Through the Night" is a country music ballad composed by Kris Kristofferson and released on his 1970 album Kristofferson.

It was also recorded in 1971 by country singer Sammi Smith. Her version ranks among the most successful country singles of all time in terms of sales, popularity and radio airplay. Many other American singers would record the song throughout the 1970s and early 1980s: the most successful version after Smith's was recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips in 1972.

Johnny Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, have also covered this song in a duet. The recording is found on the 2006 compilation Duets, released by Sony BMG. In this version, Johnny Cash inserts "June" before the line tonight I need a friend as a sign of affection for his wife.

Kristofferson's original lyrics speak of a man's yearning for sexual intimacy, yet they were controversial in 1971 because they were sung by a woman: I don't care what's right or wrong, I don't try to understand / Let the devil take tomorrow, Lord tonight I need a friend.

Sammi Smith's recording nevertheless went to no. 1 on the U.S. country charts. On February 20, 1971 it reached no. 8 on Billboard's U.S. pop singles chart, and also enjoyed success in Canada, Great Britain, and Germany.

Later in 1971, folk legend Joan Baez also recorded the song, including it on her Blessed Are... album. (In her 1987 memoir, Baez disclosed that she'd had an affair with Kristofferson around this same time.) Vocalist Peggy Lee also recorded the song that year for her album Where Did They Go.

In 1974, John Holt covered the song on his album "1000 Volts of Holt". The release of Help Me Make It Through the Night from the album made it to the UK Top Ten.

In 1990, country novelty musician Ray Stevens produced a parody of the song, not only playing the song to a more upbeat tempo but interspersing each line with mocking jokes of those lines (i.e., the first line, "Take the ribbon from your hair," is followed by a ripping sound followed by a woman yelling).

In Austria, a well-known German language version of the song was recorded by STS. Its title in German was "Gö, du bleibst heit nocht bei mir".

Preceded by "Joshua" by Dolly Parton	Billboard Hot Country Singles number one single by Sammi Smith February 13, 1971-February 27, 1971	Succeeded by "I'd Rather Love You" by Charley Pride