He'll Have to Go

Jim Reeves

About He'll Have to Go

"He'll Have to Go" is an American country and pop hit recorded on October 15, 1959, by Jim Reeves. The song, released in the fall of 1959, went on to become a hit in both genres early in 1960.


Year:
1960
2:19
1,293 
#5

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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?
Tho' 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

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Jim Reeves

James Travis "Jim" Reeves (August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964) was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well known as a practitioner of the Nashville sound (a mixture of older country-style music with elements of popular music). Known as "Gentleman Jim", his songs continued to chart for years after his death. Reeves died at age 40 in the crash of a private airplane. He is a member of both the Country Music and Texas Country Music Halls of Fame. more »

13 fans

Written by: Joe Allison, Audrey Allison

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song History
"He'll Have to Go" is a country and pop song recorded by Jim Reeves in 1959.
Song’s Popularity
The song was a major crossover hit, topping the Billboard country chart and reaching No. 2 on the pop chart.
Songwriters
The song was written by the husband-and-wife team of Joe and Audrey Allison.
Recording Details
It was recorded on October 15, 1959, at RCA Victor's Studio B in Nashville. The session was produced by Chet Atkins, who played guitar on the song.
Song Length
The song lasts a total of 2 minutes and 19 seconds, a fairly standard length for songs released in that era.
Awards & Nominations
Over the years, "He'll Have to Go" has been nominated and awarded several times for its outstanding contribution to the music industry.
Covers
The song has been covered by numerous artists including Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, and even the punk rock band the Clash.
Legacy
Even after six decades, "He'll Have to Go" is still one of the most recognizable songs in Country music. It is often hailed as Jim Reeves' signature song.
Song Theme
The song plays around the theme of a man asking his love interest to let go of another suitor, hence the title 'He'll Have to Go'.
Radio Ban
It was one of the first songs to be banned by the BBC during the Gulf War in 1991 as it was considered to have potentially "offensive" lyrics.
Jim Reeves' Death
Unfortunately, Jim Reeves died in 1964, just a few years after the release of "He'll Have to Go," in an airplane crash. His songs, including "He'll Have to Go," gained posthumous popularity.
Billboard Ranking
In 1999, Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) ranked "He'll Have to Go" as the third most played song on radio and television in the 20th century.
Induction into Grammy Hall of Fame
The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, which honors recordings that are at least 25 years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance".

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    "He'll Have to Go Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/167788/Jim+Reeves/He%27ll+Have+to+Go>.

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    He'll Have to Go

    3.2M
    13,794     555

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1960

    Billboard #2


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