Help Me (Sonny Boy Williamson II song)

"Help Me" is a blues standard first recorded by Sonny Boy Williamson II in 1963.^[1] The song, a mid-tempo twelve-bar blues, is credited to Williamson, Willie Dixon, and Ralph Bass and is based on the 1962 instrumental hit "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the MGs.^[1] "Help Me" became a hit in 1963 and reached number 24 in the Billboard R&B chart.^[2]

"Help Me"
Single by Sonny Boy Williamson II
B-side	"Bye Bye Bird"
Released	1963 (1963)
Recorded	Chicago, January 11, 1963
Genre	Blues
Length	3:07
Label	Checker (no. 1036)
Songwriter(s)	Sonny Boy Williamson II Willie Dixon Ralph Bass
Producer(s)	Leonard Chess Phil Chess Willie Dixon
Sonny Boy Williamson II singles chronology
"One Way Out" / "Nine Below Zero" (1962) "Help Me" (1963) "Trying to Get Back on My Feet" / "Decoration Day" (1963)

The song was later included on the 1966 Williamson compilation More Folk Blues.^[3] In 1987, "Help Me" was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in the "Classic of Blues Recordings" category.^[4] It is featured on many Sonny Boy Williamson greatest hits albums including His Best.^[5]

References

1. Herzhaft, Gerard (1992). "Help Me". Encyclopedia of the Blues. Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press. p. 450. ISBN 1-55728-252-8.
2. Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. p. 447. ISBN 0-89820-068-7.
3. Chess Records 1509 (1966)
4. Blues Foundation (November 10, 2016). "1987 Hall of Fame Inductees: Help Me – Sonny Boy Williamson (No. 2) (Checker, 1963)". The Blues Foundation. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
5. "His Best [MCA] - Sonny Boy Williamson II | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 25, 2021.

External links

• Sonny Boy Williamson II Help Me