Hello (Lionel Richie song)

Last updated

"Hello"
Lionel Richie Hello.jpg
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Can't Slow Down
B-side "You Mean More to Me"
ReleasedFebruary 13, 1984 (1984-02-13)
Recorded1983
Genre
Length4:08
Label Motown
Songwriter Lionel Richie
Producers
Lionel Richie singles chronology
"Running with the Night"
(1983)		"Hello"
(1984)		"Stuck on You"
(1984)
Music video
"Lionel Richie - Hello (Official Music Video)" on YouTube

"Hello" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lionel Richie. Taken as the third single from his second solo album, Can't Slow Down (1983), the song was released in 1984 and reached number one on three Billboard music charts: the pop chart (for two weeks), the R&B chart (for three weeks), [4] and the Adult Contemporary chart (for six weeks). The song also went to number one on the UK Singles Chart for six weeks. [5]

Contents

The song was subject to a lawsuit by songwriter Marjorie Hoffman White, who accused Richie of plagiarizing her 1978 composition "I'm Not Ready to Go". [6]

Reception

Cashbox said that the song "is as melodic and heartwrenching as anything [Ritchie] has done previously and that’s saying something." [7]

Composition

The song is written in the key of A minor. The verses follow the chord progression of Am9—Cmaj7/G—Fmaj7—C6/G—Fmaj7. The chorus features a Neapolitan chord (Bb). [8]

The composition began with the line, "Hello, is it me you're looking for?". After producer James Anthony Carmichael arrived at Richie's house for a songwriting session, Richie jokingly greeted him with the line, to which Carmichael replied, "Finish that song." Richie initially felt the idea was "corny", but ultimately, "by the time I finished the verse, I fell in love with the song again." [9]

Music video

The music video for "Hello", directed by Bob Giraldi, features the story of Richie as a theater and acting teacher having a seemingly unrequited love for a blind student (Laura Carrington). He discovers the feeling is mutual after he finds that she is sculpting a likeness of his head in clay.

Several publications have likened the song's theme and video to British singer Adele's later song "Hello". [10] [11]

Notable cover versions

A UK garage cover by Jhay Palmer featuring MC Image reached No. 69 on the UK Singles Chart [12] and No. 11 on the UK Dance Singles Chart in 2002. [13]

In September 2015, Richie and Jimmy Fallon covered the song in a humorous duet on The Tonight Show . Within days, the clip had gone viral, garnering over one million views on YouTube. [14]

American singer Demi Lovato sang a rendition of the song as part of a tribute to Richie at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards on February 15, 2016. [15] [16] [17] Her cover version eventually peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart. [18]

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Hello"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BRMA) [65] Platinum50,000*
Netherlands (NVPI) [66] Platinum100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [67] Platinum964,623 [68]
United States (RIAA) [69] Gold1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum . SpinMedia. May 31, 2007. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  2. ↑ Harvey, Eric (May 19, 2012). "The Quiet Storm". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Toto Eclipse of the Heart: The Best of Eighties Soft Rock". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 492.
  5. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records. pp. 434–5. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  6. ↑ "A Long Island song writer has filed a $1..." United Press International . New York. July 4, 1984. Archived from the original on December 18, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox . February 25, 1984. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Lionel Richie "Hello" Sheet Music in A Minor (transposable)". Musicnotes.com. March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  9. ↑ Patch, Nick (May 16, 2014). "Lionel Richie recalls early distaste for 'Hello' as hit song turns 30". CTV News .
  10. ↑ Horton, Helena (October 26, 2015). "Lionel Richie responds to Adele's 'Hello'" . The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  11. ↑ Doran, Sarah (October 26, 2015). "Lionel Richie responds on Instagram to Adele 'Hello' music video mash-up". Radio Times . Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  12. ↑ "JHAY PALMER FEATURING MC IMAGE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  14. ↑ Butler, Karen (September 20, 2015). "Jimmy Fallon's 'Hello' duet with Lionel Richie's head goes viral". United Press International . Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  15. ↑ Robinson, Joanna (February 15, 2016). "Watch Demi Lovato Rock a Musical Tribute to Lionel Richie". Vanity Fair . Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  16. ↑ Ng, Philiana (February 15, 2016). "Demi Lovato Delivers Show-Stopping GRAMMYs Performance of 'Hello' During Lionel Richie Tribute". Entertainment Tonight . Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  17. ↑ Bell, Crystal (February 15, 2016). "Demi Lovato's Fire Cover of Lionel Richie's 'Hello' Will Give You Chills". MTV News . Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Billboard Twitter Top Tracks". Billboard . March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Peter Banks: Original Yes guitarist dies aged 65". BBC News . March 13, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Las canciones más escuchadas en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). June 24, 1984. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  21. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 252. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  22. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Hello" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Hello" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Las canciones más escuchadas en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). June 24, 1984. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6741." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6748." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Las canciones más escuchadas en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). August 13, 1984. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  28. ↑ "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet . Vol. 1, no. 6. May 7, 1984. p. 8. OCLC   29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022– via World Radio History.
  29. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  30. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Hello" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  31. 1 2 "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Eurotipsheet . Vol. 2, no. 2. January 14, 1985. p. 8. OCLC   29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022– via World Radio History.
  32. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Lionel Richie". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Las canciones más escuchadas en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). June 24, 1984. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Hello" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Hello". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Hello". VG-lista. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Las canciones más escuchadas en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). June 24, 1984. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Las canciones más escuchadas en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). June 24, 1984. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  40. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts R". The South African Rock Encyclopedia . Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Hello". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Hello". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Lionel Richie: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  45. ↑ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  46. ↑ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending May 12, 1984". Cash Box . Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  48. ↑ "The Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary – Week ending May 12, 1984". Cashbox . Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lionel Richie – Hello" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  50. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report . No. 548. December 31, 1984. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022– via Imgur.
  51. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1984". austriancharts.at (in German). Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1984 – Singles". Ultratop (in Dutch). Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  53. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of 1984". RPM . Vol. 41, no. 17. January 5, 1985. p. 7. ISSN   0033-7064. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021– via Library and Archives Canada.
  54. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1984". Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  56. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1984". Swiss Hitparade (in German). Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  57. ↑ "Top 100 Singles (January 3–December 29, 1984)" (PDF). Music Week . January 26, 1985. p. 37. ISSN   0265-1548. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022– via World Radio History.
  58. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1984". Billboard . Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  59. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1984". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  60. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1984". Billboard . Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  61. ↑ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1984 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cashbox . December 29, 1984. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  62. ↑ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1984 – Top 50 Black Contemporary Singles". Cashbox . December 29, 1984. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  63. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1984". GfK Entertainment charts (in German). Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  64. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard . Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  65. ↑ "International - Brussels" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 4, no. 16. April 25, 1987. p. 7. Retrieved November 27, 2019– via americanradiohistory.com.
  66. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Lionel Richie – Hello" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved July 5, 2019.Enter Hello in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1987 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  67. ↑ "British single certifications – Lionel Richie – Hello". British Phonographic Industry.
  68. ↑ Copsey, Rob (September 19, 2017). "The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  69. ↑ "American single certifications – Lionel Richie – Hello". Recording Industry Association of America.
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