In 1963, David Houston rose to national stardom with the single "Mountain of Love"; the song, which was different from the tune made famous by composer Harold Dorman, Johnny Rivers and Charley Pride, rose to No. 2 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart. Another song, 1965's "Livin' in a House Full of Love" did just as well.
1966 brought Houston's breakthrough smash, "Almost Persuaded". Having nothing to do with the Philip Paul Bliss hymn of the same title (based on Acts 26:28 (KJV)), the tale of a married man managing to fight off a temptress he had just met in a tavern quickly rocketed to No. 1 that August, eventually spending nine weeks atop Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. In the 40 years since "Almost Persuaded" became a country standard, no song has equaled or bettered this feat. However, two country songs have spent eight weeks at No. 1: Lonestar's "Amazed," which topped the chart from July 17 to September 4, 1999; and "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, from August 9 to September 20 and then October 4, 2003 (in between "Somewhere's" seventh and eighth weeks at #1, on September 27, 2003, Dierks Bentley's "What Was I Thinkin' " topped the chart).
Houston was awarded 2 Grammy Awards for Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Performance, Male in 1967 for "Almost Persuaded."
"Almost Persuaded" began a string of Top 5 David Houston singles that lasted through 1973. Included in the bunch were six more No. 1's – "With One Exception" and "You Mean the World to Me" (1967); "Have a Little Faith" and "Already It's Heaven" (1968); "Baby, Baby (I Know You're a Lady)" (1970); and 1967's "My Elusive Dreams" duet with Tammy Wynette.
In later years, Houston dueted with Barbara Mandrell on several of her early hits, most notably 1970's "After Closing Time" and 1974's "I Love You, I Love You."
David's last Top 10 country hit came in 1974 with "Can't You Feel It".
David Houston died of a brain aneurysm on November 30, 1993, less than two weeks before his 58th birthday.
You'll Have To Read The Book
David Houston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To describe my love for her would take too long so I'm writin' the book to tell the rest
We met and fell in love in Chapter One when I asked her to be mine she said yes
And heaven was ours in days to come you can read the book and know the rest
Day and night I worked to make a living and sometimes she got lonely I guess
Everything to her I was givin' but you'll have to read the book to know the rest
Now we careful on page three-ninety-fourth it was here our love was put to a test
But it was strong enough to make the score
This book may never have an ending our love is just too strong as when we met
You can always turn back to the beginning and read the book again to know the rest
Just read the book again you'll know the rest
In the song "You'll Have To Read The Book" by David Houston, the singer conveys a deep love for their partner that transcends the limitations of a song. The lyrics suggest that the love story is too complex and intricate to be fully encapsulated in a brief musical composition. By stating, "I can't tell you all about her in this song I couldn't if I did my very best," the singer emphasizes the depth of their connection and the need for a more elaborate medium to express it.
The singer recounts the stages of their love story as if it were a book, with each chapter representing a different phase of their relationship. From the initial meeting and falling in love in Chapter One to facing challenges on page three-ninety-fourth, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relationship filled with both joy and struggles. The mention of heaven being theirs in the days to come suggests a sense of bliss and optimism for the future.
The reference to the singer working tirelessly to make a living and the partner sometimes feeling lonely highlights the sacrifices and challenges that come with maintaining a relationship. Despite the difficulties, the singer reassures that everything was given to their partner, emphasizing the depth of their commitment. The mention of the love being tested on page three-ninety-fourth and emerging stronger alludes to the resilience of their bond and the ability to overcome obstacles.
The recurring motif of reading the book again implies that their love story is never-ending and can be revisited and cherished at any time. The lyrics convey a sense of timelessness and enduring love that can withstand the trials and tribulations of life. By encouraging the listener to read the book again to know the rest, the singer invites reflection on the depth and intricacies of their relationship, suggesting that true love is a multifaceted journey that continues to evolve and deepen over time.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't tell you all about her in this song I couldn't if I did my very best
I am unable to fully express the depth of my love for her in this song, even if I were to try my hardest
To describe my love for her would take too long so I'm writin' the book to tell the rest
Explaining my love for her would be a lengthy process, so I am writing a book to elaborate further
We met and fell in love in Chapter One when I asked her to be mine she said yes
Our love story began in the first chapter, when she agreed to be mine
And heaven was ours in days to come you can read the book and know the rest
Bliss awaited us in the days that followed, as detailed in the book
Day and night I worked to make a living and sometimes she got lonely I guess
I tirelessly worked to provide for us, and occasionally she felt isolated
Everything to her I was givin' but you'll have to read the book to know the rest
I gave her my all, but the complete story can only be understood by reading the book
Now we careful on page three-ninety-fourth it was here our love was put to a test
At page 394, our love was challenged and tested
But it was strong enough to make the score and you'll have to read the book to know the rest
Our love proved resilient and overcame the obstacle, as detailed further in the book
This book may never have an ending our love is just too strong as when we met
Our love story may not have a conclusion, as our bond remains as robust as when it first began
You can always turn back to the beginning and read the book again to know the rest
To understand the full scope of our relationship, one can revisit the beginning and re-read the book
Just read the book again you'll know the rest
Simply referring back to the book will reveal the remaining details of our love story
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BeMisty
I can't tell you all about her in this song
I couldn't if I did my very best
To describe my love for her would take too long
So I'm writin' the book to tell the rest
We met and fell in love in Chapter One
When I asked her to be mine, she said yes
And heaven was ours in days to come
you can read the book and know the rest
Day and night I worked to make a living
And sometimes she got lonely. I guess
Everything to her I was givin'
but you'll have to read the book to know the rest
Now we careful on page three-ninety-four
It was here our love was put to a test
But it was strong enough to make the score
And you'll have to read the book to know the rest
This book may never have an ending
Our love is just as strong as when we met
You can always turn back to the beginning
And read the book again to know the rest
Just read the book again you'll know the rest...
BeMisty
I can't tell you all about her in this song
I couldn't if I did my very best
To describe my love for her would take too long
So I'm writin' the book to tell the rest
We met and fell in love in Chapter One
When I asked her to be mine, she said yes
And heaven was ours in days to come
you can read the book and know the rest
Day and night I worked to make a living
And sometimes she got lonely. I guess
Everything to her I was givin'
but you'll have to read the book to know the rest
Now we careful on page three-ninety-four
It was here our love was put to a test
But it was strong enough to make the score
And you'll have to read the book to know the rest
This book may never have an ending
Our love is just as strong as when we met
You can always turn back to the beginning
And read the book again to know the rest
Just read the book again you'll know the rest...
Ruth Boykin
David Houston had a voice from heaven! I love this song, beautiful and sad at the same time! Thank you Bianca!
Milton Moore
David's "album fillers"
were better than most vocalists smash hit 45 rpm singles. Amen? NO MORE SEDUCTIVE VOICE THAN HIS,
EVER! Thanks, Bianca!😁😁😁😉😉
graham bull
David’s voice is perfection.....Billy Sherrill does the rest!
TONY ANZELLINO
What a great song, a great song full of feeling and sadness. I personally relate to this song. Thank you for posting Bianca. Have a fantastic week.
CountryBoy Williams
ONE OF HIS BEST, I THINK...BEAUTIFUL AS ALWAYS
BeMisty
Thanks! 😊
Barbara Mattox
Beautiful song, makes me cry, thanks for posting!!
BeMisty
You're welcome, Barabara!
U
Thanks for the lovely song ❤❤❤🎶🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹