Originally performing gospel music at local churches, the group billed themselves as The Four Star Quartet, and later The Kingsmen. In 1963, when the song "Louie, Louie" by the garage rock band also called The Kingsmen became famous, the group elected to bill themselves as The Statler Brothers. Despite the name, only two members of the group (Don and Harold Reid) are actual brothers and none have the surname of "Statler". The band, in fact, named themselves after a brand of facial tissue they had noticed in a hotel room (they joked that they could have turned out to be the Kleenex Brothers). Don Reid sang lead. Harold Reid, Don's older brother, sang bass. Phil Balsley sang baritone and Jimmy Fortune sang tenor after replacing original tenor Lew DeWitt in the early 1980s due to the latter's ill health. DeWitt died on August 15, 1990 of heart and kidney disease, stemming from complications of Crohn's disease.
The band's style was closely linked to their gospel roots. "We took gospel harmonies," said Harold Reid, "and put them over in country music."
The group remained closely tied to their gospel roots, with a majority of their records containing at least one gospel song. They produced several albums containing only gospel music and recorded a tribute song to the Blackwood Brothers, who influenced their music. The Statler Brothers also wrote a tribute song to Johnny Cash, who discovered them. The song was called "We Got Paid by Cash", and it reminisces about their time with Cash
Since forming, the Statler Brothers have released over 40 albums. They received Grammy Awards in 1966 and 1973. Two of their best-known songs are their first big hit, Flowers on the Wall, and the socially-conscious Bed of Roses. Late in their career they had a regular variety show on the cable television channel then known as The Nashville Network. Throughout their career, much of their appeal was related to their considerable ability for comedy and parody that they frequently interspersed into their musical act; they were frequently nominated for awards for their comedy as well as their singing. They recorded two comedy albums as Lester Moran and the Cadillac Cowboys, and one-half of one side of the album Country Music Then and Now was also devoted to satirizing small-town radio stations' Saturday morning shows.
The group disbanded and retired after completing a farewell tour on October 26, 2002. Balsley and the Reid brothers continue to reside in Staunton, while Fortune has relocated to Nashville, where he is continuing his music career as a solo artist. He has released three albums as a soloist. The Statlers continue to be the most awarded act in the history of country music.
Since the Statlers' retirement in 2002, Don has pursued a second career as an author. He authored or co-authored three books: Heroes and Outlaws of the Bible, Sunday Morning Memories, and You'll Know It's Christmas When.... He and Harold co-wrote a history of the Statler Brothers titled Random Memories released in February 2008.
The Statler Brothers have been credited as the first country music act to transfer the genre's nostalgia from a rural to a suburban setting. They have also been called "America's Poets" by Kurt Vonnegut.
He'll Have To Go
The Statler Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you'll cry as if your heartache will never end
I can't let you go is what you'll end up saying
Knowing he'll always have you again
So you leave him and then you come to me for something he doesn't give you
And you want me to be the piece to fit the puzzle he holds you to
And you know it's wrong to leave him and you know you shouldn't want me
I'll love you as if tomorrow is not coming
And you'll cry as if your heartache will never end
I can't let you go is what you'll end up saying
Knowing you'll always have him again
[ guitar - strings ]
And you know it's wrong to leave him and you know you shouldn't want me
But what is a man supposed to do when all I have is you
The Statler Brothers' song "He'll Have To Go" is a heart-wrenching ballad about a man in love with a woman who is already in a committed relationship. The lyrics express the singer's frustration and desire for the woman, even though she will ultimately stay with her current partner.
The opening lines set the tone for the song, as the singer declares that he will cherish the time he has with the woman, even if it is fleeting. The second line hints at the woman's pain and distress, as she is trapped in a relationship that she cannot leave. By the second verse, the singer is pleading with the woman to leave her current partner and come to him. However, he acknowledges that he is asking her to do something that is morally wrong and that she knows she shouldn't want him.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the painful reality of the situation. The singer knows that the woman will ultimately return to her partner, and he will be left alone once again. Despite this knowledge, he cannot help but love her with all his heart and hope that she will choose him.
Overall, "He'll Have To Go" is a poignant and emotional ballad that captures the pain of unrequited love and the conflicting emotions that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll love you as if tomorrow is not coming
I'll love you with complete passion, as though there is no tomorrow.
And you'll cry as if your heartache will never end
You'll cry deeply, as though your heartache will never diminish.
I can't let you go is what you'll end up saying
You'll eventually admit that you can't let go of him and that he holds a power over you.
Knowing he'll always have you again
You know that he will always have a hold on you, and that you will return to him.
So you leave him and then you come to me for something he doesn't give you
You leave him seeking something you are not getting, and then come to me for fulfillment.
And you want me to be the piece to fit the puzzle he holds you to
You want me to be the missing piece that can complete you, even though he still holds power over you.
And you know it's wrong to leave him and you know you shouldn't want me
You realize that leaving him and wanting me is wrong, but you can't help your feelings.
But what is a man supposed to do
As a man, I am caught in a difficult situation and don't know what to do.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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