He'll Have to Go
Jim Reeves Lyrics
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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
The lyrics to Jim Reeves's classic song He'll Have to Go talk about a man who is deeply in love with his dream girl, who he calls "dream baby". He is dreaming sweet dreams about her all day and night, and cannot help but think about her constantly. However, he knows that just dreaming about her is not enough, and that he needs to be with her in reality to make his dreams come true. The chorus of the song asks "how long must I dream?", indicating the man's urgency to make his dream girl a reality.
The song is a perfect example of the romantic ballads of the 1950s and 60s. It describes the deep, innocent, and inescapable love that a man feels for a woman. The lyrics are simple, but profound, and the melody is soothing and calming, which makes it a perfect choice for slow dancing.
One interpretation of the song is that the man is trying to persuade his dream girl to stop playing hard-to-get and finally be with him. He knows that he will not be able to stop dreaming about her until she finally agrees to be with him. In essence, he is telling her that he cannot wait any longer and that she will have to make the first move.
Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to love, and it continues to be popular among couples to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet dream baby
Addressing the person that the singer desires to dream about
Sweet dream baby
Repetition of the previous line to emphasize the person of desire
Sweet dream baby
Repetition of the previous line to emphasize the person of desire
How long must I dream
Asking how long the singer must dream of the person of desire
Dream baby got me dreamin' sweet dreams the whole day through
The person of desire has taken over the singer's thoughts and daydreams
Dream baby got me dreamin' sweet dreams night time too
The person of desire also dominates the singer's dreams at night
I love you and I'm dreaming of you but that won't do
The singer loves the person of desire but simply dreaming about them is not enough
Dream baby make me stop my dreamin', you can make my dreams come true
The singer is pleading with the person of desire to make their dreams a reality
Aww, sweet dream baby (dream baby)
Expressing affection for the person of desire
Yea-eh-ah, sweet dream baby (dream baby)
Repeating the expression of affection for the person of desire
Sweet dream baby (dream baby)
Repeating the title of the song
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joe Allison, Audrey Allison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@debbievanzyl756
Miss my Mommy just as much, she loved Jim and Elvis music, my heart breaks just listening to their music Mommy miss you so much😢
@rhondaboncutter5812
Here is 2024 and this song still makes me cry! My Mom played guitar and sang this song when I was a kid! Miss her and Dad, and this song!
@brendaknight7113
My mother and I would sing this while doing the dinner dishes..Mom is gone now, and I am 72, but when I hear it ..I'm right there beside my Mom so many yrs ago
@patmelton43
I relate. It is awful to lose those you love, and you have to go on living without them.
@stephenpayne9120
Brenda, I'm 62 and lost my Mum earlier this year. Your comment got my eyes wet -- though Mr. Reeves' soundtrack to reading it didn't help. LOL. We will honour them by forging on. Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!
@aknottnerus3025
Dear Brenda, I know exactly what you mean. I lost my dear grandfather (who was one of the sweetest persons on this world to me, like my grandmother, parents, my husband and son) a few years ago. He absolutely loved Jim Reeves! The wonderful music of Jim Reeves gives me a lot of comfort and it's a way to remember my dear grandparents when I listen to his amazing, warm voice. Take care for everyone who lost a dear one. May Reeves' music and soul live on forever.
@willemrol7771
I have exactly the same feelings about it. You are so right
@kristiewolff2103
This song brings back memories of my mom, as well. She used to sing this and another Jim Reeves song, Welcome to My World, as she was cleaning around the house.
@rahayujosephbambang4435
🎵🔊🎶 Who is still listening to this song in 2022? thumbs up 👍🏻
@punditwriters1255
He died in 1963, and the world is still listening to his music, more than half a century later.