Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Elvis Presley’s Rendition of “Why Me Lord” Will Surely Move You

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

In 1974, Elvis Presley started incorporating the song “Why Me Lord” into his live shows up until his last concert tour. His version appeared on his 1974 album Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis, and on the compilation, I Believe – The Gospel Masters.

Presley would often introduce the song for gospel singer J.D. Sumner to sing “one of his favorite songs.” Sumner would sing the verses, and Elvis would join on the chorus together with the back-up singers.

When Tom Jones started appearing with Elvis in 1968, he revealed how he got frustrated by how the King of Rock and Roll would always sing this song. Jones recalled to New Music Express: “He kept singing, ‘Why Me Lord?’. He just wouldn’t let me get out of the room. He liked to sing all night. I had two shows to do the following day, and I was trying to get out of the door… then he’d start singing it all over again.”

A Song Written During A Rough Time

“Why Me Lord” was originally written and recorded by Kris Kristofferson. In this song, with the original title of “Why Me,” Kristofferson had an epiphany and asked Jesus why he has blessed him so.

“Why me Lord, what have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known. Tell me Lord, what did I ever do that was worth loving you or the kindness you’ve shown,” the song goes.

Before the song’s release, Kristofferson was going through a rough time. The emotionally low period drove him to attend a church service led by Rev. Jimmie Rogers Snow, which utterly inspired him to write the song. During an interview with country’s DJ Ralph Emery, Kristofferson revealed the truth behind “Why Me.” 

“I was moved by a song I heard in church, ‘Help Me,'” Kristofferson said. “I had a profound religious experience during the session. Something that had never happened to me before. And ‘Why Me’ came out of it.”

Kristofferson went on sharing his experience in detail, explaining just how moved he really was. And the rest was history. From that moment on, Kristofferson would go on to be known as one of the most talented singer-songwriters in Nashville. 

The song, which featured backing vocals by Kristofferson’s wife Rita Coolidge, was released in 1973 from his album, Jesus Was a Capricorn. “Why Me” then became the biggest song of Kristofferson’s career, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100

It Has Since Been Covered By Several Iconic Artists

Ever since its release, many iconic artists have covered the song. In addition to Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Merle Haggard were just some who released their versions.

And it’s simply amazing how Presley’s rendition brought the song to a brand new, exciting level. His high energy performance is both fun and inspirational. No wonder why any gospel song The King performed was always an instant hit. There’s just something about how he presented himself and performed every inspirational song as he put his heart on his sleeve, poured his emotions into every word, and made anyone who watched want to reach up to Heaven. 

You can watch Elvis Presley’s moving performance of “Why Me Lord” in the video below.

Latest Stories

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian smiling outdoors, not taken when she spoke about feeling hated after their affair scandal.

LeAnn Rimes Says So Many Women Hated Her After Affair With Eddie Cibrian and She Felt Like a Target

Ain’t every country ballad pretty, and LeAnn Rimes knows her verse is messy as hell. View this post on Instagram A post shared by leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) Back in ...

Jana Kramer with husband Allan Russell and her kids outdoors, not taken when she admitted she sometimes skips sunscreen.

Jana Kramer Admits She Skips Sunscreen Sometimes on Her Kids and Feels Fine About It

“Come at me.” That’s Jana Kramer’s whole vibe right now, and boy, they sure are. Turns out you don’t have to drop a scandalous album or torch an ex on ...

Kenny Rogers’ twin sons Justin and Jordan just turned 21 and fans say they look just like the late country music legend now.

Kenny Rogers’ Twin Sons Just Turned 21 and Fans Say They Look Just Like Him Now

A couple of chocolate cakes, two wide grins, and a whole lot of “They look just like their daddy”. That’s how Kenny Rogers’ twin sons rang in their milestone 21st ...

Waylon Jennings once called Garth Brooks the most insincere person he ever saw

Waylon Jennings Once Said Garth Brooks Was the Most Insincere Person He Ever Saw

Sometimes you need an old outlaw to call out what everyone else is too polite to say out loud. Back when Nashville was shape-shifting in the ’80s and ’90s, country ...

Josh Weathers raises over $337000 in a livestream concert fundraiser to help Texas families devastated by catastrophic floods.

Josh Weathers Raises Over $337000 in Livestream to Help Texas Families Hit by Floods

A guitar in hand and a heart the size of Texas. That’s Josh Weathers right now. While storms swallowed up gigs and highways across Central Texas, this Fort Worth native ...

Lauren Alaina fires back at trolls who mom-shame her for bottle-feeding her newborn, pictured holding baby Beni Doll Arnold.

Lauren Alaina Fires Back at Trolls Who Mom-Shame Her for Bottle-Feeding

A bottle in one hand and zero time for strangers’ opinions in the other. That’s how Lauren Alaina’s rolling and some loudmouths just found out the hard way. If you’ve ...

Kelly Clarkson seen emotional in a past photo, echoing fans’ heartbreak after she canceled her Vegas opening night due to illness.

Fans Are Heartbroken After Kelly Clarkson Cancels Vegas Opening Night Due to Illness

Nothing guts a diehard fan like standing in line for hours only to get hit with the words “Show’s off.” Kelly Clarkson found herself in that brutal spot last weekend ...

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together on stage, teaming up for a new duet that might break country radio charts.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton Team Up for a Duet That Might Break Country Radio

Sometimes, country music gives you a pairing that is so perfect that you wonder what the hell took so long. Well, here we are. Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton are ...

Dolly Parton smiles in a sparkling gown, proving she’ll always look glamorous on the outside to match how she feels inside.

Dolly Parton Shares Glamorous Photo Says She’ll Always Look How She Feels Inside

Some folks roll out of bed looking like they just survived a bar fight but not Dolly damn Parton. On July 1, the queen of country herself dropped a glamorous ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.