"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, Nick Lowe, and Gail Davies.

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 Tulane Hotel's "Castle Recording Studio" in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. 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.

"I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)" 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".

...
Wikipedia