Ray Price – I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)

Ray Price – I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me),’ is a song co-written and originally released as a single by American country artist Ray Price. After becoming a major country hit in 1954, the song has been covered by numerous artists such as Cowboy Copas, Elvis Presley, Connie Smith, Johnny Bush, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Heather Myles, Martina McBride, Sam Palladio, Don White & Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Nick Lowe, Gail Davies and J. J. Cale.

Ray Price co-wrote «I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)» with songwriter Rusty Gabbard. The song was professionally recorded on December 28, 1953, at the Castle Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Also included on the recording session were cover versions of «Release Me» (the eventual B-side to this single) and «The Last Letter». The session was produced by Don Law. Released in January 1954 as a single via Columbia Records, «I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)» reached number two on the Billboard Magazine Most Played C&W in Juke Boxes list. Additionally, the song’s B-side («Release Me») reached the top-ten on the same chart. Originally, the song was not issued onto an album.

Was part of a series of songs recorded early in Ray Price’s career. It exemplified a musical persona built upon the ideology and musicality of friend/mentor Hank Williams. Price regularly performed the song with Williams’ band the Drifting Cowboys in concert. However, despite the song’s success (among other hit recordings during that period), Price was dissatisfied that his sound closely resembled Williams. Following 1954, Price spent time re-working his musical image until returning to success in 1956 with «Crazy Arms».

Ray Price – I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)
Single by Ray Price
A-side «Release Me»
Released January 1954
Recorded December 28, 1953
Studio Castle Studio, Nashville
Genre Country
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Rusty Gabbard Ray Price
Producer(s) Don Law

COUNTRYPEDIA

Ray Price – I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me) Lyrics

There ain’t no chains strong enough to hold me
Ain’t no breeze big enough to slow me
Never have seen a river that’s too wide
Now there ain’t no rope strong enough to bind me
Look for me, honey you will find me
I’ll be there if you ever want me by your side
So love me if you ever gonna love me
I never have seen a river that’s too wide
There ain’t no chains strong enough to hold me
There ain’t no breeze big enough to slow me
I’ll be there if you ever want me by your side
Well, there ain’t no jail tight enough to lock me
There ain’t nobody big enough to stop me
I never have seen a road too rough to ride
I’ll be there ready and a waitin’
There won’t be any hesitation
I’ll be right there if you ever want me by your side
So love me if you ever gonna love me
I never have seen a road too rough to ride
I’ll be there ready and a waitin’
There won’t be any hesitation
I’ll be right there if you ever want me by your side…

GENIUS