About the song
“He’ll Have to Go” is a timeless country and pop classic that has stood the test of time since its release in 1959. Written by the husband-and-wife team of Joe and Audrey Allison, the song tells the story of a man who is on the phone with the woman he loves, only to discover that another man is with her. The song’s inspiration came from a phone conversation between the Allisons, where they struggled to make themselves understood due to background noise and Audrey’s soft voice. This led to the song’s iconic opening line, “Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone.”
Jim Reeves recorded the song after listening to the original version by Billy Brown, which failed to gain much attention. However, Reeves’ version became a huge hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and staying at the top of the Hot Country Singles chart for 14 consecutive weeks. The song’s success was not limited to the United States, as it also reached number 1 in Canada and number 12 in the UK.
“He’ll Have to Go” features a small group of musicians, including Floyd Cramer on piano, Marvin Hughes on vibraphone, and the Anita Kerr Singers providing background vocals. The song’s arrangement and vocal style, which blended country and pop elements, helped to set it apart from other country songs of the time. The song’s chart performance and enduring popularity have made it a country music classic, and it has been covered by many other artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, Solomon Burke, and Elton John.
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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