Hello (The Beloved song)

Last updated
"Hello"
The Beloved - Hello.jpg
Single by The Beloved
from the album Happiness
B-side "Hello (Dolly)"
Released5 January 1990
Recorded1989
Genre
Length4:17
Songwriter(s) Jon Marsh
Producer(s) Martyn Phillips
The Beloved singles chronology
"The Sun Rising"
(1989)
"Hello"
(1990)
"Your Love Takes Me Higher"
(1990)
Music video
"Hello" on YouTube

"Hello" is a song by British group the Beloved, released as the second [note 1] single from their debut album, Happiness (1990). Peaking at Number 19 in the UK charts on 17 February 1990, [1] it was band's highest-charting single until "Sweet Harmony" reached number eight in 1993.

Contents

At least three additional remixes were exclusive to other formats: "Hello (Boys & Girls)" and "Hello (Uncle Arthur)" appeared on the 12-inch vinyl version, and "Hello (Dolly)" appeared on both the cassette and 7-inch versions. In addition, a Razormaid! remix of the song appeared on the Razormaid! Anniversary 9.0 compilation album. As for "Hello (What's All This Then?)" and "Hello (Honky Tonk)," two of the five remixes of the main title on the CD single release, they would both later resurface on the following Blissed Out remix album, the sister release to Happiness, the second remix only featuring on the CD and MC editions of the work, but not on the vinyl LP, which only contained the first.

Names

As well as the names of some of the band members' friends, the song mentions a number of famous people (some of them fictional), chosen to loosely fit a "saints and sinners" theme.

In alphabetical order, the people listed in the song are: Jeffrey Archer (politician and novelist), Fred Astaire, Bobby Ball (comedian), Charlie Brown, Tommy Cannon (comedian), Billy Corkhill (soap opera character), Leslie Crowther (TV presenter), "Freddie" Flintstone, Paris Grey (singer), Brian Hayes (broadcaster), Vince Hilaire (footballer), Barry Humphries, The LSO, Kym Mazelle (singer), Mork and Mindy, Little Neepsie (often misheard as Little Nietzsche), Little Nell, Charlie Parker, André Previn, Little Richard, Salman Rushdie, Jean-Paul Sartre, The Supremes ("Mary Wilson, Di and Flo"), William Tell, Sir Bufton Tufton, Desmond Tutu, Willy Wonka, Zippy and Bungle (TV characters). There are also references to "Peter" and "Paul", presumably the Christian apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. "Chris and Do" are friends of the band while "Steve and Claire" are guitarist Steve Waddington and his girlfriend.

In lyrical order, the names mentioned are as follows: Peter, Paul, Tommy Cannon, Bobby Ball, Little Richard, Little Nell, Willy Wonka, William Tell, Salman Rushdie, Kym Mazelle, Mork and Mindy, Bryan Hayes, Barry Humphries, Paris Grey, Little Neepsie, Chris, Do, Billy Corkhill, Vince Hilaire, Freddy Flintstone, Fred Astaire, Desmond Tutu, Steve, Claire, Charlie Parker, Charlie Brown, Leslie Crowther, Mary Wilson, Di and Flo, Sir Bufton Tufton, Jean-Paul Sartre, Zippy, Bungle, Jeffrey Archer, André Previn and LSO.

Critical reception

Jon O'Brien from AllMusic noted that the "gothic undertones" of the "Depeche Mode-influenced" song "perfectly bridged the gap between their indie beginnings and their new-found loved-up sound". [2] Bill Coleman from Billboard described it as "a rather infectious roll call of sorts that has already kicked in with modern rock enthusiasts, with clubs and pop radio ready to fuel the fire. Don't miss." [3] Ian Gittins from Melody Maker declared it as "one sexy electro-growl, cooking round a roll call of modern icons". [4] Another editor, Simon Reynolds, said, "With its vapid catchiness and custard-yellow vocals, "Hello" will be huge, of course. But let's face it, The Beloved have merely come up with a "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part Three" for the E generation." [5]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media called it "a more funky number with a Beatle-style chorus" and "a splendid song with a shopping list of media celebrities' names forming the chorus lyrics." [6] David Giles from Music Week commented, "Much has been made of this band's "conversion" from "grey, lifeless" indie music to "bright, modern" dance music. This hasn't stopped them throwing in guitar solos and mumbling à la New Order, however. And the list of namechecks here has distinct Half Man Half Biscuit overtones. The use of a Fools Gold-style backing track is deceptive. A very clever record indeed." [7] Stephen Dalton from NME wrote, "These once-jangly disco stars are much too clever to make just a simple Dance record, filling this full-tilt funky hit with dozens of buried noises and a shopping list of names. "Salman Rushdie and Kym Mazelle"? A chart-topping formula if ever I heard one." [8]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, inspired by the film Altered States .[ citation needed ] It was later published on The Beloved's official YouTube channel in December 2018. [9]

Track listings

  1. "Hello (Single Version)" - 4:17
  2. "Hello (Honky Tonk Mix)" - 6:16
  3. "Hello ('Ello, 'Ello Mix)" - 5:19
  4. "Hello (What's All This Then Mix?)" - 4:35
  5. "Hello (Godfrey's Tonic Mix)" - 4:23
  6. "Paradise (My Darling, My Angel)"
  1. "Hello (Honky Tonk)" - 6:16
  2. "Hello (Single Version)" - 4:17
  3. "Hello (Uncle Arthur)" - 6:26

Charts

Chart performance for "Hello"
Chart (1990)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [10] 94
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [11] 47
UK Singles (OCC) [12] 19
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [13] 6
US Hot Dance Club Play ( Billboard ) [14] 4
US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [14] 22

Notes

  1. or third if the first release of Your Love Takes Me Higher in 1989 is counted.

Related Research Articles

The Beloved are a British electronic music group best known for the singles "Sweet Harmony", "The Sun Rising", "Hello", "Your Love Takes Me Higher", and "Satellite".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kym Mazelle</span> American singer (born 1960)

Kym Mazelle is an American singer. She is regarded as a pioneer of house music in the United Kingdom and Europe. Her music combines R&B, soul, funk, house music, dance, and pop. She is credited as "The First Lady of House Music".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels</span> 1952 song performed by Kitty Wells

"It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" is a 1952 country song written by J. D. "Jay" Miller, and recorded by Kitty Wells. It was an answer song to the Hank Thompson hit "The Wild Side of Life." First performed by Al Montgomery as "Did God Make Honky Tonk Angels" on the Feature label which was owned by songwriter J.D. Miller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honky Tonk Women</span> 1969 single by the Rolling Stones

"Honky Tonk Women" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. It was released as a non-album single on 4 July 1969 in the United Kingdom, and a week later in the United States. It topped the charts in both nations. The song was on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

<i>Honky Tonk Angel</i> (Patty Loveless album) 1988 studio album by Patty Loveless

Honky Tonk Angel is the third studio album by American country music artist Patty Loveless. With five tracks from the album charting in the Billboard Top Ten Country Singles, including two at #1, it served as a breakthrough album for Loveless. The album itself was Loveless' highest charting at #7 on the Country Albums category. The two #1 singles were "Chains" and "Timber, I'm Falling in Love". Loveless also did a cover of the Lone Justice song, "Don't Toss Us Away", which featured Rodney Crowell on backing vocals. The song charted at #5. Famed songwriter Kostas had a major role by writing three of the album's tunes, including "Timber, I'm Falling in Love" and "The Lonely Side of Love", which peaked at #6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)</span> 1979 song

"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" is a 1979 song recorded by American singers Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer. It was written by Paul Jabara and Bruce Roberts, and produced by Giorgio Moroder and Gary Klein. The song was recorded for Streisand's Wet album and also as a new track for Summer's compilation double album On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II. The full-length version was found on Streisand's album, while a longer 11-minute edit (the 12" version) was featured on Summer's album. The longer 12" version features additional production by frequent collaborator Harold Faltermeyer, and incorporates a harder rock edge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Chesnutt</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1963)

Mark Nelson Chesnutt is an American country music singer and songwriter. Between 1990 and 1999, he had his greatest chart success recording for Universal Music Group Nashville's MCA and Decca branches, with a total of eight albums between those two labels. During this timespan, Chesnutt also charted twenty top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which eight reached number one: "Brother Jukebox", "I'll Think of Something", "It Sure Is Monday", "Almost Goodbye", "I Just Wanted You to Know", "Gonna Get a Life", "It's a Little Too Late", and a cover of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing". His first three albums for MCA along with a 1996 Greatest Hits package issued on Decca are all certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); 1994's What a Way to Live, also issued on Decca, is certified gold. After a self-titled album in 2002 on Columbia Records, Chesnutt has continued to record predominantly on independent labels.

"Honky Tonk Blues" was a hit country and western song written and performed by Hank Williams. The original 1952 recording was a major hit, and it later became a hit for Charley Pride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honky Tonk Badonkadonk</span> 2005 single by Trace Adkins

"Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" is a song written by Dallas Davidson, Randy Houser and Jamey Johnson, and recorded by American country music artist Trace Adkins. It was released in October 2005 as the third and final single from his album Songs About Me. The song was a crossover hit for Adkins, peaking at number 2 on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart, and reaching the top 40 on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Pop 100 charts, making it his first top 40 hit on both charts. It was also certified gold for more than 500,000 musical downloads. Its ringtone also received more than 75,000 downloads.

"Chains" is a song written by Hal Bynum and Bud Reneau, and recorded by American country music artist Patty Loveless. It was released in December 1989 as the fifth single from her album Honky Tonk Angel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Hearts Run Free</span> 1976 single by Candi Staton

"Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song written by David Crawford and originally recorded by American soul singer Candi Staton in 1976.

"We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds" is a song made famous as a duet by country music singers George Jones and Melba Montgomery. Originally released in 1963, the song became a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and a country music standard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Miss Honky Tonk</span> 1995 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Little Miss Honky Tonk" is a song written by Ronnie Dunn, and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in February 1995 as the third single from their album Waitin' on Sundown. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

"Honky-Tonk Man" is a song co-written and recorded by American singer Johnny Horton. It was released in March 1956 as his debut single on Columbia Records, and the album of the same name reaching number 9 on the U.S. country singles charts. Horton re-released the song six years later, taking it to number 11 on the same chart.

<i>Blissed Out</i> (The Beloved album) 1990 remix album by The Beloved

Blissed Out is a remix album by English electronic group The Beloved, released in 1990. It is a sister release of their studio album Happiness, released earlier that year, which had generated four hit single releases.

"There's a Honky Tonk Angel (Who'll Take Me Back In)" is a song best known for the 1974 recording by American country music artist Conway Twitty, who took it to number 1 on the Hot Country Singles chart. The song was written by Troy Seals and Denny Rice and originally released on Troy Seals' 1973 debut album Now Presenting Troy Seals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Strait singles discography</span>

The singles discography of American country music singer George Strait comprises 125 charted singles, starting with "Unwound" in 1981. He has 44 No. 1s on the Billboard country chart, the most of any artist. Strait has also amassed 86 Top 10 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs, second only to Eddy Arnold, who had 92.

<i>Honky Tonk Time Machine</i> 2019 studio album by George Strait

Honky Tonk Time Machine is the thirtieth studio album by American country music artist George Strait. It was released on March 29, 2019, via MCA Nashville. The album's first single, "Every Little Honky Tonk Bar", was released to radio on February 11, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missing You (Soul II Soul song)</span> 1990 single by Soul II Soul

"Missing You" is a song by British Contemporary R&B band Soul II Soul, released in November 1990 as the fourth and last single from their second album, Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade (1990). It features American singer-songwriter Kym Mazelle on lead vocals and Lamya on background vocals. It was a top 30 hit in Ireland and the UK. Outside Europe, it peaked at number nine in Zimbabwe, number 39 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in the US and number 166 in Australia. A black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single. It shows Mazelle and Jazzie B dancing together on a dancefloor while performing it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Me the Right Way</span> 1992 single by Rapination featuring Kym Mazelle

"Love Me the Right Way" is a song by Italian record producers Charlie Mallozzi and Marco Sabiu as Rapination. It features vocals by American singer-songwriter Kym Mazelle, who also is credited for co-writing the song. Released in 1992 by Arista, Logic and RCA, it peaked at number 22 in the UK, and also charted in Finland, Ireland and Sweden. In 1996, a new remix of the song was released, reaching number 20 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart as well as number 15 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

References

  1. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company".
  2. O'Brien, Jon. "The Beloved – Sweet Harmony: The Very Best of the Beloved". AllMusic . Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  3. Coleman, Bill (February 17, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 89. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  4. Gittins, Ian (January 20, 1990). "Singles". Melody Maker . Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  5. Reynolds, Simon (February 3, 1990). "Singles". Melody Maker . Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  6. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . February 3, 1990. p. 16. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  7. Giles, David (January 20, 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week . Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  8. Dalton, Stephen (January 27, 1990). "Singles". NME . Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  9. "The Beloved - Hello (Official Video)". YouTube. December 17, 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  10. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 28.
  11. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . 24 February 1990. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  13. "The Beloved Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  14. 1 2 Billboard Billboard.com (Retrieved March 28, 2008)