About the song
Jim Reeves, a legendary country music singer and songwriter, penned “He’ll Have to Go” as a heartfelt ballad about heartbreak and betrayal. This poignant track, released in 1960, became a hit single and a defining song for Reeves’ career.
With his smooth vocals and emotive delivery, Reeves explores the universal themes of love, loss, and the pain of heartbreak. Through introspective lyrics and Reeves’ soulful performance, listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences and emotions.
The opening lines, “I love you more than words can say,” immediately establish the song’s central theme. The lyrics continue to explore the pain and sorrow of losing love, emphasizing the emptiness and loneliness that can result. The song’s refrain, “He’ll have to go,” conveys a sense of finality and a determination to move on.
Throughout the song, Reeves’ smooth vocals and the song’s melodic arrangement create a captivating and immersive listening experience. The track’s emotional depth and Reeves’ ability to convey the pain of heartbreak make it a timeless classic.
“He’ll Have to Go” is more than just a popular song; it is a cultural touchstone that has influenced countless artists and generations of music fans. The song’s heartfelt lyrics and soulful performance continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless and enduring piece of music history.
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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