"Let It Be Me" is a 1960 single by The Everly Brothers. The song is an English-language cover of "Je t'appartiens", which had been released as a single in France by Gilbert Bécaud in 1955. The song was a top ten hit for The Everly Brothers in the United States and spawned many additional cover versions.

Background and release

"Let It Be Me" is based on "Je t'appartiens", which was written in by Gilbert Bécaud and his frequent collaborator, lyricist Pierre Delanoë. Delanoë reportedly wrote the lyrics for Bécaud as an apology for missing one of the singer's performances at the Olympia in Paris. The song, sung by Bécaud, was released as a single by His Master's Voice in 1955. The Everley Brothers recorded their version of "Let It Be Me" after the song was recommended to them by producer Archie Bleyer. They recorded the song in December 1959 in New York with guitarists Howard Collins, Barry Galbraith, and Mundell Lowe; bassist Lloyd Trotman, pianist Hank Rowland, and drummer Jerry Allison. The song was released by Cadence Records as a single in 1960, with "Since You Broke My Heart" as the B-side.

Charts

Notable cover versions

Jill Corey

"Let It Be Me" was first adapted into English by Manny Curtis, and performed in 1957 by American singer Jill Corey on an episode of the anthology television series Climax!. Corey's version of "Let It Be Me" was released as a single by Columbia Records and reached number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Betty Everett and Jerry Butler

American singers Betty Everett and Jerry Butler released their version of "Let It Be Me" on Vee-Jay Records in 1964. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart.

Johnny Young & Kompany

Australian singer Johnny Young, with his backing band Kompany, released "Let It Be Me" as a single on Clarion in 1966. It reached number 4 on the Kent Music Report chart, and was the 18th highest charting single of the year in Australia.

The Sweet Inspirations

American R&B group The Sweet Inspirations released their version of "Let It Be Me" as a single (with the B-side "When Something is Wrong With My Baby") on Atlantic Records in 1967. It reached number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.

Glen Campbell and Bobbie Gentry

American country singers Glen Campbell and Bobbie Gentry recorded "Let It Be Me" for their 1968 duet album Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell. The single, released the following year, peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Charts

Willie Nelson

Charts