<P> Reeves recorded what became one of country music's biggest hits ever after listening to a version recorded by singer Billy Brown . The song, written by Joe and Audrey Allison, was inspired after the couple were having difficulty communicating by telephone . Audrey had a soft voice and was unable to speak up so her husband could adequately hear her, so Joe would have his wife place the receiver closer to her mouth . </P> <P> When Brown's version failed to become a hit, Reeves recorded his . It was promptly released to country radio as the B - side of the intended hit, "In a Mansion Stands My Love ." However, "Mansion" failed to catch on, and disc jockeys began playing the B - side instead . It was not long before the song became a huge country and pop hit; several rhythm and blues radio stations played the song, too . </P> <P> The recording features a small group of musicians: Floyd Cramer on piano, Marvin Hughes on the vibraphone, Bob Moore on bass, Buddy Harman on drums, Hank Garland on guitar, and the Anita Kerr Singers providing the background vocals . </P> <P> The first verse set the tone: "Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone / Let's pretend that we're together all alone / I'll tell the man to turn the juke box way down low / And you can tell your friend there with you he'll have to go ." </P>

Who sang put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone