He'll Have To Go
Al Christian 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,
You can't say the words I want to hear
While you're with another man,
If 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 song "He'll Have To Go" by Al Christian is a ballad about a man who is calling a woman he loves on the phone. The lyrics suggest that the woman seems to be with another man, and the man on the phone is asking for her to choose between them. The man asks her to put her lips close to the phone, and pretend they are alone together. He then asks if she loves him truly or if the other man is holding her the way he does. He tells her to make up her mind, he needs to know whether he should hang up or if she will tell the other man he has to leave. The chorus repeats, offering the woman the opportunity to tell the man she is with that he needs to leave.
The song explores themes of jealousy, love and heartache. The lyrics suggest that the man is unsure of the woman's feelings for him, and he is willing to leave her if she chooses the other man over him. The chorus offers a sense of longing for the woman, as if he is willing to go to any lengths to be with her.
Interestingly, "He'll Have To Go" has been covered by several prominent artists including Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, and Ry Cooder. The song was written by American songwriters Joe Allison and Audrey Allison in 1959. It was originally recorded and released by Jim Reeves but didn't achieve success until Reeves performed it on television in 1960. The song became a hit in the United States and United Kingdom, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the UK's NME Pop Chart.
Line by Line Meaning
Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone.
Please speak clearer and closer to the phone so I can hear you better.
Let's pretend that we're together, all alone.
Even if we're not physically together, let's imagine we are.
I'll tell the man to turn the jukebox way down low,
I will ask the person in charge to lower the volume of the music playing so we can talk properly.
And you can tell your friend there with you he'll have to go.
Ask your companion to leave so we can be alone and talk.
Whisper to me, tell me do you love me true,
Speak softly to me and confess your true feelings towards me.
Or is he holding you the way I do?
Are you receiving the same emotional and physical support from him as you do from me?
Tho' love is blind, make up your mind, I've got to know,
Even though love can make us irrational at times, you need to make a decision and let me know what you want.
Should I hang up, or will you tell him he'll have to go?
Should I end this conversation or will you ask your companion to leave so we can keep talking?
You can't say the words I want to hear
You cannot express your love for me when you're with someone else.
While you're with another man,
If you're in a relationship with someone else.
If you want me, answer "yes" or "no,"
If you have romantic feelings for me, tell me clearly by either answering "yes" or "no."
Darling, I will understand.
I will not judge you and will accept your decision if you choose to either stay with your current partner or be with me.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joe Allison, Audrey Allison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind