About The Song
“Please Help Me, I’m Falling” was written by Don Robertson and Hal Blair and recorded by Hank Locklin on January 5, 1960. Produced by Chet Atkins for RCA Victor, the single was released in February of that year with “My Old Home Town” as the B-side. It appeared on Locklin’s album of the same name and became the biggest hit of his career.
The record reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and remained there for fourteen weeks. It stayed on the country chart for roughly nine months and crossed over to the pop side, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also reached number nine in the United Kingdom and charted in other international markets, including Norway.
The song had first been offered to Jim Reeves, who declined it. Locklin recognized its potential and recorded it himself. The lyric presents a man who feels himself falling in love and asks the other person to help him resist by closing the door to temptation. The restrained, clear vocal delivery and the polished Nashville Sound arrangement under Atkins’s production gave the record broad appeal.
By 1960 Locklin had already scored earlier country hits, including “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.” “Please Help Me, I’m Falling” elevated his profile significantly and led to an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry, where he remained a member for decades. The commercial strength of the single marked a high point in his recording career.
The song also prompted an answer record. Later in 1960, Skeeter Davis released “(I Can’t Help You) I’m Falling Too,” which reached number two on the country chart. Locklin’s original version has continued to be covered by later artists and remains one of the most recognizable country recordings of the early 1960s.
Within the history of country music of that period, Hank Locklin’s recording of “Please Help Me, I’m Falling” stands as both a major commercial success and a defining career moment. Its long stay at number one, crossover performance, and lasting recognition have kept it among the notable hits of the Nashville Sound era.
Video
Lyric
Please help me I’m falling in love with you
Close the door to temptation don’t let me walk through
Turn away from me darling I’m begging you to
Please help me I’m falling in love with youI belong to another whose arms have grown cold
But I promised forever to have and to hold
I can never be free dear but when I’m with you
I know that I’m losing the will to be truePlease help me I’m falling and that would be sin
Close the door to temptation don’t let me walk in
For I mustn’t want you but darling I do
Please help me I’m falling in love with you