He'll Have To Goby Jim Reeves

Jim Reeves was an American singer, songwriter and musician. He played a central role in the development of country music in the 1960s. Even after his sudden early death in a plane crash he continued to chart for many years to follow.

This lesson takes a look at his version of He'll Have To Go. It became a huge country and pop hit, and was covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and even Elton John. It also prompted the 'answer'-version 'He'll Have To Stay', by for example Jeanne Black and Skeeter Davis. Others, like Les Paul and Mary Ford, and Anne Muray recorded the song as 'She'll Have To Go', 

The arrangement only uses the three major chords, I-IV-V (including V7 and I7). For Reeves' version that would be in the key of C, where the guitar is capoed on the 1st fret (absolute key of Db). Some versions add another chord, more about that is explained in the lesson. 

It is in a slow 3/4, with swing feel and very accessible for beginners to try out. 

Besides the chords, the strumming and progression, we break down two little bass lines connecting chord V to I, and I to IV. 

Other than that we take a look at the key of D, which is exactly the same but a whole step up, It might even be a little easier, since there are no barre chords. This also matches the key of Elvis Presley's version. 

https://youtu.be/wzQ9oCHqyNo?si=pwidJoOApvo_bMyP

https://youtu.be/FPBtqvljEFw?si=__q_T41Suzh9_yro