If I Talk to Him
Encyclopedia
"If I Talk to Him" is a song written by Dolores Edgin and Priscilla Mitchell
, and released as a single by American country
artist Connie Smith
. It was produced by Bob Ferguson
and released on her 1966 studio album Miss Smith Goes to Nashville
. The song was released in August 1965 and reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Magazine country music chart, becoming her fourth Top 10 single. The song was recorded under RCA Victor Records.
, the latter was the wife country artist Jerry Reed
. It was recorded at RCA Victor Studio B on August 5, 1965 along with the songs "I Don't Have Anyplace to Go" and "If You Won't Tell on Me". The recording session was produced by Bob Ferguson
, whom had previously produced Smith's "Once a Day
", "Then and Only Then
", and "I Can't Remember
" singles. The session featured The Nashville A-Team
of musicians, including Jerry Reed
, Walter Haynes
, Kenneth Buttrey, and Hargus "Pig" Robbins. The song's narrator describes how she fears her former lover will call her phone number and wish to speak to her. To avoid the conversation, the narrator says to tell a friend of hers that she is not home. The song's chorus further explains the storyline:
Also included playing the guitar accompaniment to "If I Talk to Him" is Smith herself, whom had previously played the guitar on her other single sessions.
chart in late 1965. Unlike her previous singles, the song did chart among the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 songs list. "If I Talk to Him" one of a series of singles to reach the Billboard country music Top 10 between 1964 and 1968.
Priscilla Mitchell
Priscilla Mitchell was an American country music singer.-Biography:Priscilla Mitchell began as a Rock 'n' Roll singer in the 1950s and became most popular as a duet performer when she cut a string of duet recordings, in the 1960s, with country singer Roy Drusky...
, and released as a single by American country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Connie Smith
Connie Smith
Connie Smith is an American country music artist. She began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest near Columbus, Ohio, which attracted the attention of country songwriter Bill Anderson...
. It was produced by Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson (music)
Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson Sr was an American songwriter, record producer who was instrumental in establishing Nashville, Tennessee as a center of country music; movie producer, and Choctaw Indian historian. Ferguson wrote the bestselling songs "On the Wings of a Dove" and "The Carroll County...
and released on her 1966 studio album Miss Smith Goes to Nashville
Miss Smith Goes to Nashville
Miss Smith Goes to Nashville is the third studio by American country music artist, Connie Smith. The album was released March 1966 on RCA Victor Records and was produced by Bob Ferguson...
. The song was released in August 1965 and reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Magazine country music chart, becoming her fourth Top 10 single. The song was recorded under RCA Victor Records.
Background and content
"If I Talk to Him" was the first single Smith recorded that was not written by Bill Anderson. The song was instead written by Dolores Edgin and Priscilla MitchellPriscilla Mitchell
Priscilla Mitchell was an American country music singer.-Biography:Priscilla Mitchell began as a Rock 'n' Roll singer in the 1950s and became most popular as a duet performer when she cut a string of duet recordings, in the 1960s, with country singer Roy Drusky...
, the latter was the wife country artist Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed Hubbard , known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, innovative guitarist, songwriter, and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films...
. It was recorded at RCA Victor Studio B on August 5, 1965 along with the songs "I Don't Have Anyplace to Go" and "If You Won't Tell on Me". The recording session was produced by Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson (music)
Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson Sr was an American songwriter, record producer who was instrumental in establishing Nashville, Tennessee as a center of country music; movie producer, and Choctaw Indian historian. Ferguson wrote the bestselling songs "On the Wings of a Dove" and "The Carroll County...
, whom had previously produced Smith's "Once a Day
Once a Day
"Once a Day" is a song written by Bill Anderson and recorded as the debut single by American country artist Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson for her self-titled debut album. The song was released in August 1964, topping the Billboard country music chart for eight weeks between late...
", "Then and Only Then
Then and Only Then
"Then and Only Then" is a song written by Bill Anderson and recorded by American country artist, Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson and released on her self-titled debut album that year. The song was released in January 1965, reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard country music chart in...
", and "I Can't Remember
I Can't Remember
"I Can't Remember" is a song written by Bill and Bette Anderson, and recorded as a single by American country artist, Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson and was released on her 1965 album, Cute 'n' Country. The song was released in April 1965, reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard country...
" singles. The session featured The Nashville A-Team
The Nashville A-Team
The Nashville A-Team was a nickname given to a group of session musicians in Nashville, Tennessee, who earned wide acclaim in the 1950s and 1960s. They backed dozens of popular singers, including Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Bob Dylan and others.The Nashville A-Team's...
of musicians, including Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed Hubbard , known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, innovative guitarist, songwriter, and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films...
, Walter Haynes
Walter Haynes
Walter Haynes was an American steel guitarist and music producer who worked with such artists as Jimmy Dickens, Del Reeves, The Everly Brothers and Jeanne Pruett. He also co-wrote a number of songs including "Girl on the Billboard" - a song that became a #1 hit for Del Reeves in 1965. Haynes was a...
, Kenneth Buttrey, and Hargus "Pig" Robbins. The song's narrator describes how she fears her former lover will call her phone number and wish to speak to her. To avoid the conversation, the narrator says to tell a friend of hers that she is not home. The song's chorus further explains the storyline:
- Yes if I talk to him I take him back again
- I'm afraid to even answer the phone
- Cause if I talk to him I take him back again
- So if he calls please tell him I'm not home
Also included playing the guitar accompaniment to "If I Talk to Him" is Smith herself, whom had previously played the guitar on her other single sessions.
Chart performance
"If I Talk to Him" was Connie Smith's fourth single released during the course of her career and third single released in 1965. It was released August becoming a major hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country SongsHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart in late 1965. Unlike her previous singles, the song did chart among the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 songs list. "If I Talk to Him" one of a series of singles to reach the Billboard country music Top 10 between 1964 and 1968.
Charts
| Chart (1965) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
4 |