FOUR WALLS
Written by George Campbell and Marvin Moore
(Recorded February 7, 1957)


Out where the bright lights are glowing
You're drawn like a moth to a flame
You laugh while the wine's overflowing
While I sit and whisper your name

CHORUS:
Four walls to hear me
Four walls to see
Four walls too near me
Closing in on me

Sometimes I ask why I'm waiting
But my walls have nothing to say
I'm made for love not for hating
So here where you left me I'll stay

One night with you is like heaven
And so while I'm walking the floor
I listen for steps in the hallway
And wait for your knock on my door.

REPEAT CHORUS

Closing in on me.


The record that launched Jim Reeves powerfully onto the pop, as well as country, charts and helped establish him as a major worldwide recording star was an accidental hit if there ever was one. It originally was sung from a woman's point of view, and wasn't intended to be heard by Reeves.

Here's how it happened.

Jim journeyed to Chet Atkins' office to go over material for his next session. Chet, as producer, played Jim some songs he thought could become hits - and then Jim played Chet some songs. During their meeting, Jim kept noticing a demonstration record leaning against the wall. On the lead sheet protruding from the brown envelope were the words: "Four Walls" which intrigued Jim and after they had finished their conference, Jim asked Chet about the song "Four Walls."

"Oh, it's a song somebody gave me. But it's a girl's song. I don't think you'd be interested in doing it."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to listen to it."

Atkins agreed and played it. The impressive demo featured a girl singing in multi tracks. Reeves loved it and figured it could be a big song.

"May I have it to take home?"

"Sure."

Reeves took it home-and his wife Mary was equally enthusiastic.

"I don't see why a man can't sing this song as well as a woman," Reeves remarked-and Mary agreed.

So did Chet.

Recorded in February 1957, the song was released the following month while Jim was on a USO tour of Europe. It drew immediate attention, even syndicated writer Dorothy Kilgallen reviewed it in her column from New York. The record began to explode while Reeves was still on tour in Europe.

He returned to the Sates with a big smash crossover record-a difficult feat for a country artist to attain in 1957 before country's popularity went to the heart of America.

With "Four Walls," Jim Reeves etched himself indelibly on the conscience and soul of the American listening public.

Taken from the notes accompanying "Jim Reeves - A Legendary Performer" (CPL1-1891). ©1976 RCA Records --Submitted by C.B. Dixon.

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