About the song
“He’ll Have to Go” is a classic country ballad performed by the iconic Jim Reeves. The song, written by Joe Allison and Audrey Allison, was released in 1959 and quickly became one of Reeves’s signature songs. It was featured on his album “He’ll Have to Go,” which was released the same year.
The track climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, securing the number one spot and remaining there for an impressive fourteen weeks. Its popularity extended beyond the country music genre, crossing over to the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached the number two position. This widespread success solidified Jim Reeves’s status as one of the most prominent artists in country music during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
“He’ll Have to Go” is celebrated for its smooth vocals, gentle melody, and evocative storytelling. Reeves’s rich baritone and heartfelt delivery perfectly capture the emotions of a man trying to salvage a faltering relationship by giving way to another suitor. The song’s timeless appeal lies in its universal theme of love and longing, resonating with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
Jim Reeves’s rendition of “He’ll Have to Go” remains a cherished classic in the country music canon. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Reeves’s talent as a vocalist and interpreter of songs, as well as the enduring appeal of its captivating melody and poignant lyrics.
Video
Lyrics
Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone
Let’s pretend that we’re together all alone
I’ll tell the man to turn the jukebox way down low
And you can tell your friend there with you, he’ll have to go
Whisper to me, tell me do you love me true
Or is he holding you the way I do?
Though love is blind, make up your mind, I’ve got to know
Should I hang up or will you tell him, he’ll have to go?
You can’t say the words I want to hear
While you’re with another man
Do you want me? Answer yes or no
Darling, I will understand
Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone
Let’s pretend that we’re together all alone
I’ll tell the man to turn the jukebox way down low
And you can tell your friend there with you
He’ll have to go