There are times when music may do something memorable and even though decades go by, it is still remembered. That is how many feel about Jim Reeves, who had a very popular hit in 1960.
Jim Reeves was well known for his smooth vocals and the hit, ‘He Will Have To Go’ was popular on the charts when it was released in 1960. It propelled him to superstardom, and he soon became known as Gentleman Jim.
Reeves was born in Texas and worked as a radio announcer before he got involved in singing full-time. He was already a country music star but when he released He Will Have To Go, it took things to an entirely different level. He had everything necessary to make himself famous.
The song, He’ll Have To Go was written by Joe and Audrey Allison. Joe had overheard a conversation in a bar, where a man was on the phone with his lover and begging her to get closer to the phone.
That is where the opening line from the song: ‘Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone’ comes in.
Jim did more than sing the song, he absolutely felt every note and every emotion inside of it. The production didn’t offer much but it would allow his voice to come through and it was exactly what was needed.
Before long, it hit the top of the Billboard country chart and was even number two on the pop charts. That was a big moment for country music because it showed it had more potential than just remaining in its lane.
After Jim Reeves became famous because of the song, he toured the world and introduced new audiences to country music. Truly, the song was a game changer and country music was never quite the same after he sang it.
Unfortunately, Jim Reeves was only 40 years old when he died in a plane crash in 1964. What he left behind was a legacy, one that stayed on jukeboxes and played on the radio for years to come.
People still remember that country music song and it is featured on TV shows and movies rather regularly. We have Jim Reeves to thank because he sang it in a way that nobody else could.
