Introduction:
Recorded on October 30, 1976, He’ll Have To Go holds a significant place in music history not only for the emotional weight it carries but also because it marked Elvis Presley’s final studio recording session. Presley, a legend who had revolutionized the music scene since the 1950s with his rock and roll swagger, was nearing the end of his life at the time. He’ll Have To Go was included on the album Moody Blue, which was released in 1977, shortly after Presley’s passing.
While not credited as producers on the album, Felton Jarvis and Joe Esposito are recognized for overseeing the recording sessions for Moody Blue. The songwriting duo behind He’ll Have To Go was Joe Allison and his wife, Audrey Allison. The Allisons were prolific country music songwriters who had success with artists like Brenda Lee and Patsy Cline. He’ll Have To Go falls under the genre of country rock, a style that Presley had begun to explore in the latter part of his career.
He’ll Have To Go itself doesn’t reach the chart-topping heights of some of Presley’s earlier hits. However, the song holds immense significance among fans and music historians due to the context surrounding its recording. Many listeners perceive a melancholic undercurrent in Presley’s vocals, which some believe hints at his own personal struggles during that time. Despite the lack of chart success, He’ll Have To Go endures as a poignant and powerful farewell from the King of Rock and Roll.