In 1960, Jim Reeves changed country music forever with “He’ll Have to Go.” With his smooth, velvet voice,
Reeves blended country’s raw emotion with a polished pop sound, creating a hit that topped the Country Chart and reached #2 on the Pop Chart.
The song, written by Joe and Audrey Allison, was inspired by a real bar conversation. Its opening line — “Put your sweet lips a little closer
to the phone” — captured heartbreak in a way that resonated deeply. Producer Chet Atkins kept the arrangement simple, letting Reeves’s voice shine.
This track helped define the Nashville Sound, opening the door for country music to reach global audiences.
Reeves’s success took him worldwide and inspired countless covers, though none matched the intimacy of the original.
Tragically, Reeves died in a 1964 plane crash at age 40, but his legacy lives on. “He’ll Have to Go” remains a timeless classic, still used in film,
TV, and ads. Reeves’s influence paved the way for modern stars who bridge country and pop, proving that heartfelt storytelling never goes out of style.
