He'll Have to Go
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics


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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?
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,
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.

Overall Meaning

In Jerry Lee Lewis's song "He'll Have to Go," the singer is asking his lover to quietly speak to him over the phone so they can pretend they are together alone. The singer is asking his lover to let him know if she loves him as much as he loves her or if she is being held tightly by someone else. Jerry Lee Lewis sings about the struggle of love and how it can be blind, but ultimately decisions must be made. The singer asks his lover if she wants him to hang up or if she will tell her friend that he'll have to leave.


The song is about jealousy, love, and making difficult decisions in a relationship. The singer tries to figure out if his lover is just using him as a backup or truly loves him. He asks her if she can say the words he wants to hear, while she is with another man, and if she cannot make up her mind, he will understand. This creates a sense of understanding from the singer, but also vulnerability.


Line by Line Meaning

Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone.
Come near and talk to me intimately over the phone.


Let's pretend that we're together, all alone.
Imagine a romantic moment where we are alone together.


I'll tell the man to turn the jukebox way down low,
I will request the jukebox to be turned down so that we can focus on our conversation.


And you can tell your friend there with you he'll have to go.
Ask the person with you to leave, as I want to speak to you exclusively.


Whisper to me, tell me do you love me true,
Speak softly to me, and confess if you truly love me or not.


Or is he holding you the way I do?
Are you being embraced by someone else with the same passion as me?


Tho' love is blind, make up your mind, I've got to know,
Although love is irrational, please make a decision because I need to find out what you truly want.


Should I hang up, or will you tell him he'll have to go?
Would it be better for me to end this conversation, or will you ask your companion to leave so we can continue talking?


You can't say the words I want to hear
You cannot tell me the words I want to hear.


While you're with another man,
While you are with someone else.


If you want me, answer 'yes' or 'no,'
If you want to be with me, please answer simply with either “yes” or “no”.


Darling, I will understand.
My dear, I will accept and comprehend your decision.


Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone.
Once again, come near to the phone and talk to me sweetly.


Let's pretend that we're together, all alone.
Let us return to our intimate imagination of being alone together.


I'll tell the man to turn the jukebox way down low,
Once again, I will request to lower the volume of the jukebox.


And you can tell your friend there with you he'll have to go.
Now that it is quiet, politely ask your friend to leave, so that we can continue talking privately.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joe Allison, Audrey Allison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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