Tyler Childers was born and raised in Lawrence County, Kentucky. His father worked in the coal industry and his mother is a nurse. He learned singing in church where he sang in the church choir. He started to play guitar and write songs when he was around 13. He moved from Lawrence County to Paintsville, Kentucky, where he attended Paintsville High School and graduated in 2009. Fellow country musicians Chris Stapleton and Loretta Lynn (Van Lear, KY) also hail from Paintsville. He studied for a semester at Western Kentucky University, and enrolled at Bluegrass Community and Technical College for a few semesters. He dropped out of college and did odd jobs for some time while pursuing a music career.
Childers began performing in Lexington, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia. In 2011, when he was 19, Childers released his first album, Bottles And Bibles. He has also released two EPs recorded in 2013 at Red Barn Radio, a radio show from Lexington. The two EPs were later released as one after the success of his album Purgatory, and reached No. 5 on Heatseekers Albums.
He had his first success with Purgatory, a breakthrough album released on August 4, 2017. The album was produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson and recorded at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville. Simpson also played guitar and sang backing vocals on the album, with Miles Miller on drums, Stuart Duncan on fiddle and Russ Paul on other instruments. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart, No. 17 on the Country albums chart and No. 4 on the Americana/Folk albums chart. In September 2018, Childers won Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Music Honors & Awards, where he gave an acceptance speech noted for its criticism of the Americana genre label, saying that "as a man who identifies as a country music singer, I feel Americana ain't no part of nothing and is a distraction from the issues that we're facing on a bigger level as country music singers. It kind of feels like purgatory."
Country Squire, a second album under the Hickman Holler label, and Childers' third overall, was released on August 2, 2019, after being announced in May 2019. This album was again produced by Simpson and Ferguson. The video of the lead single from the album "House Fire" was also released on May 16, 2019.
Childers' music is influenced by his home state of Kentucky and its connection to country music and bluegrass. He often writes about coal mining, which was his father's occupation, and its effects. Rebecca Bengal, writing for The Guardian, described Childers' songs as a "counternarrative to the outsiders who seek to perpetuate stereotypes of backwardness and poverty." Childers emphasizes lyrical content in songs, comparing the songwriting process to telling short stories.
Help Me Make It Through the Night
Tyler Childers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake it loose and let it fall
Dancin' soft against my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
'Til the early morning light
All I'm takin' is your time
I don't care who's right or wrong
And I don't need to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
'Cause tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
It's so sad to be alone
Oh, help me make it through the night
I don't care who's right or wrong
And I don't need to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
'Cause tonight I need a friend
Ooh, yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
It's so sad to be alone
Oh, help me make it through the night
"Help Me Make It Through the Night" is a heartfelt ballad that explores the theme of loneliness and the inherent need for companionship. The lyrics depict a desire for temporary solace and comfort in the midst of a dark and lonely night. The ribbon metaphorically represents the barriers or restrictions that society has placed upon the singer, and by shaking it loose and letting it fall, they are symbolically letting go of societal expectations and allowing themselves to be vulnerable. The image of dancing shadows on the wall suggests a fleeting and ephemeral connection, mirroring the transitory nature of the night.
The plea for someone to lay down by their side until the early morning light expresses a deep longing for intimacy and connection. The singer acknowledges that they are not seeking material possessions or grand gestures, but simply the presence and time of another person. The line "All I'm takin' is your time" underscores the singer's recognition that time is a precious commodity and that the presence of someone else during this difficult time would be invaluable.
The chorus repeats the message that the singer does not care about past or future conflicts. They are in search of solace for the present moment and are willing to let go of understanding or resolutions. The reference to the devil taking tomorrow suggests a surrendering of control, accepting the unknown and unpredictable nature of the future. The repetition of the line "yesterday is dead and gone" emphasizes the importance of living in the present and embracing opportunities for connection, as dwelling on the past or future can lead to loneliness and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the ribbon from your hair
Remove any constraints or expectations that may be holding you back
Shake it loose and let it fall
Release your inhibitions and let your true self emerge
Dancin' soft against my skin
Embrace the comfort and intimacy of our connection
Like the shadows on the wall
Our love is fleeting and temporary, much like the passing shadows
Come and lay down by my side
Join me in a place of solace and companionship
'Til the early morning light
Stay with me until the darkness fades and a new day begins
All I'm takin' is your time
I only desire your presence and attention
Oh, help me make it through the night
Provide me with the support and comfort I need to overcome my struggles
I don't care who's right or wrong
Arguments or disputes are insignificant in comparison to our connection
And I don't need to understand
Intellectual comprehension is unnecessary when it comes to our bond
Let the devil take tomorrow
Allow the uncertainties and troubles of the future to be dealt with another time
'Cause tonight I need a friend
In this moment, all I require is the comfort and presence of a companion
Yesterday is dead and gone
The past is irrelevant and no longer holds any significance
And tomorrow's out of sight
The future is uncertain and beyond our immediate concern
It's so sad to be alone
The absence of companionship brings a profound sense of sadness
Oh, help me make it through the night
Assist me in navigating the darkness and finding solace until the morning comes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@royceannmarcum803
Well if you’re going to record a classic Kris Kristofferson song that’s been recorded in the past by Kris himself as well as Waylon Jennings, Donna Fargo and so many others you had better nail it and Tyler did just that! I’m almost 60 years old and I remember my daddy singing this song to my momma while dancing in the kitchen. Beautiful job!
@DiZoSoMom
That is such a beautiful memory. Thank you for sharing that 🤍
I just turned 40 and grew up spending weekends with my gpa in his “building” (aka his shed turned man cave). We would sit up until 2 or 3 am every Saturday listening to “country gold” on the radio. Hank Jr was always his fave, but I leaned toward the Highwaymen in their individual ventures.
Lost him a year ago. Such amazing memories. You just sent me on a trip down memory lane and I thank you for that. Have a wonderful night 🤍
@kevinhennessy7167
I don’t know why this comment made me tear up. But it did ❤️
@davidweed1787
Not gunna lie I thought it was a Waylon song. Should've known Kris wrote it he wrote everything good 😅
@chantalflier4315
So amazing to read your story! Cherish those times and age is just a number...our minds makes us old ❤
@sonjaperkins3995
Thank you for sharing this memory ❤
@litiaswinford1782
I am a HUGE Kristofferson fan and never ever think anyone can do his songs justice. Well done Tyler Childers, well done! ❤
@johnlashbaugh6194
Classic country song that transcends time and place. The things that are missing in todays supposed “country” music.
@fer706
I tell you what, loving older country music, he needs to cover “he stopped loving her today”. It would be absolute gold!
@june21stgem
That would be amazing!!!