He’ll Have To Go is a country song written by Joe and Audrey Allison, and recorded by American country music singer Jim Reeves. It was released on October 15, 1959, as the B-side of his single “In a Mansion Stands My Love”. However, “He’ll Have To Go” became the bigger hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in February 1960. It also reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song is a mid-tempo ballad about a man who is listening to his lover talk to another man on the phone. The man realizes that he is losing her and that she will soon be leaving him for the other man. The song’s lyrics are simple but effective, and they perfectly capture the feeling of heartbreak and loss. Reeves’ vocals are warm and expressive, and they bring the song to life.
He’ll Have To Go is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving song about the pain of heartbreak, and it is a reminder that love can be lost as well as found. Reeves’ version is the definitive version of the song, and it is considered to be one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Background and writing
Joe and Audrey Allison wrote He’ll Have To Go in the late 1950s. They were inspired to write the song after a conversation they had about the difficulty of making themselves understood over the phone. Audrey Allison’s naturally soft voice made it difficult for her husband to hear her, and he often had to ask her to put her mouth closer to the receiver. This led to the song’s first line, “Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone.”
Recording and production
He’ll Have To Go was recorded in 1959 at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. The song was produced by Chet Atkins. Atkins is a Grammy Award-winning producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in country music, including Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Willie Nelson.
Release and commercial performance
He’ll Have To Go was released on October 15, 1959, as the B-side of Reeves’ single “In a Mansion Stands My Love”. However, “He’ll Have To Go” became the bigger hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in February 1960. It also reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
He’ll Have To Go was a critical and commercial success. The song was praised by critics for its beautiful lyrics and Reeves’ heartfelt vocals. The song was also a commercial success, selling over two million copies.
Impact and legacy
He’ll Have To Go is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving song about the pain of heartbreak, and it is a reminder that love can be lost as well as found. Reeves’ version is the definitive version of the song, and it is considered to be one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Jim Reeves was one of the most influential country singers of all time. He had a long and successful career, and he won numerous awards. Reeves was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1974. He died in a plane crash in 1964 at the age of 40.
Here are some additional facts about the song:
- The song was written by Joe and Audrey Allison.
- The song was recorded in 1959 at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
- The song was produced by Chet Atkins.
- The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in February 1960.
- The song was a critical and commercial success.
- The song is considered to be one of the greatest country songs of all time.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to He’ll Have To Go. If you are a fan of country music or if you are simply looking for a beautiful and moving song to listen to, then I highly recommend He’ll Have To Go.