“Let It Be Me” was originally released in 1954 in French under the title “Je t’appartiens”, but later, with an English version of the lyrics it was a hit for the Everly Brothers in some six years later. It is occasionally confused with a Beatles song that took the first three words of the Everly Brothers hit and made it into a different piece of music..Pierre Delanoë is said to have have written the song by way of apology for missing a a performance by Gilbert Bécaud in Paris. I am not sure there is any independent evidence to back this up or if that is just rumour, but good stories about the origins of songs never hurt their subsequent success. The Everly Brothers then recorded the song in 1959 but it was only released as the B side of “Since you broke my heart”. The single was a hit in various countries but did not make the top of the charts, and remained just another song for a couple of years after being first published until Jilley Corey’s version was released in 1957.Other versions of the song followed, and indeed this turned out to be one of those songs which although not making a huge impact at first, gradually grew in the public consciousness, and was inevitably used by multiple lovers pleading for the affection of another. It then appeared as part of an American TV series and its status continued to grow.
By the mid 1960s there had been multiple versions of the song released until a version in 1964 approached the top of the charts in various countries and the success continued sporadically year after year.
Bob Dylan recorded this in Nashville for the Self-Portrait album which was released in 1970.
Bob performed the song live three times between June and October 1981 but has not returned tot he song since. The lyrics are below…
I bless the day I found you
I want to stay around you
And so I beg you
Let it be me
Don't take this heaven from one
If you must cling to someone
Now and forever
Let it be me
Each time we meet, love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love
What would life be?
So never leave me lonely
Tell me you love me only
And that you'll always
Let it be me
Previously in this series of songs performed just three times by Bob we have had Dinks Song If you would care to contribute an article to this website please email Tony@schools.co.uk A listing of some of our more recent articles can be found on the home page www.bob-dylan.org.uk
