He'll Have To Go
Jim Reeves & Patsy Cline Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 of Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline’s song ‘He’ll Have To Go’ narrate the story of a man who is on the phone with his lover, trying to rekindle their relationship despite the fact that she is not alone. He asks her to put her lips "a little closer to the phone" and tells her to whisper to him the answer to the question he needs to know- whether she loves him or not. He urges her to let her friend know that he has to leave, fears that he might have to hang up the phone, and pleads with her to give him an answer.
The lyrics of the song are filled with emotion, as it talks about the struggles of being in a relationship and the insecurities that come with it. The man is anxious to know the truth from his lover, and as she is unable to give him an answer, he becomes even more nervous. The song’s lyrics show how difficult it can be to deal with the ups and downs of love but also show the passion and devotion that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone
Come closer and speak softly into the phone
Let's pretend that we're together, all alone
Imagine as if we are together, spending time privately
I'll tell the man to turn the jukebox way down low
I'll ask the person in charge to reduce the volume of the music player
And you can tell your friend there with you he'll have to go
Inform your acquaintance beside you that he should leave us alone
Whisper to me, tell me do you love me true
Tell me secretly if you truly love me or not
Or is he holding you the way I do?
Does he embrace you like the way I do?
Tho' love is blind, make up your mind, I've got to know
Although love can be irrational and uncertain, make a decision because I need to know
Should I hang up, or will you tell him he'll have to go?
Should I end this call or will you be the one to ask the person next to you to leave?
You can't say the words I want to hear while you're with another man
You can't express your love for me while you're still with someone else
Do you want me, answer yes or no, darling, I will understand
Do you have feelings for me? Respond with a straight answer, my dear, as I will accept the truth
Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone
Come closer and speak softly into the phone
Let's pretend that we're together, all alone
Imagine as if we are together, spending time privately
I'll tell the man to turn the jukebox way down low
I'll ask the person in charge to reduce the volume of the music player
And you can tell your friend there with you he'll have to go
Inform your acquaintance beside you that he should leave us alone
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.