Let Me Live (Charley Pride song)

"Let Me Live" is a song written by Ben Peters. It was originally recorded by American country music artist Charley Pride. The song was produced by Jack Clement and was released as a single via RCA Victor Records in 1971. The song became a top 40 hit on the Billboard country chart and in Canada. It was Pride's only gospel recording to become a major hit.

"Let Me Live"
Single by Charley Pride
from the album Did You Think to Pray
A-side"Did You Think to Pray"
ReleasedApril 1971 (1971-04)
RecordedFebruary 11, 1971
StudioRCA Victor Studio
Genre
Length3:23
LabelRCA Victor
Songwriter(s)Ben Peters
Producer(s)Jack Clement
Charley Pride singles chronology
"I'd Rather Love You"
(1971)		 "Let Me Live"
(1971)		 "I'm Just Me"
(1971)

Background and content

Under the supervision and guidance of Jack Clement, Charley Pride became country music's first commercially-successful African-American recording artist. By the early 1970s, he had several number one hits and released several studio albums. In 1971, he would release his first album of gospel music, which would include the song, "Let Me Live."[2] The song was composed by Ben Peters. The song was recorded on February 2, 1971 at the RCA Victor Studio. Two additional gospel songs were recorded during the same session. Jack Clement would serve as producer for the song.[3]

Release and reception

"Let Me Live" was released as a single via RCA Victor Records in April 1971. It was Pride's sixteenth single released in his music career. "Let Me Live" was actually the B-side on the single release. "Did You Think to Pray" was the original A-side but was not played as heavily at radio.[4] It spent a total of nine weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at number 21 on the list in May 1971.[5] The song was Pride's first gospel recording (and only to date) to become a hit on country radio. It was also his first single to miss the country top ten since 1967.[4] In addition, it also became a hit in Canada, also reaching number 37 on the RPM Country Singles chart in 1968.[6] It was later released on Pride's 1971 gospel album, Did You Think to Pray.[1]

Track listings

7" vinyl single[7]

Chart performance
Chart (1971) Peak
position
Canada Country Songs (RPM)[6] 37
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[8] 4
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 21

References
  1. "Do You Think to Pray?: Charley Pride: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  2. Vinopal, David. "Charley Pride: Biography & History". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  3. Pride, Charlie (April 1971). ""Did You Think to Pray"/"Let Me Live" (Vinyl Single Insert Information)". RCA Victor Records.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  5. ""Let Me Live" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  6. "Search results for "Charley Pride" under Country Singles". RPM. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  7. "Charley Pride -- "Do You Think to Pray"/"Let Me Live" (1971, Single)". Discogs. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  8. Whitburn, Joel (2005). Bubbling Under the Billboard Hot 100: 1959-2004. Record Research. ISBN 978-0898201628.
  9. "Charley Pride Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
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