Hello Again (Neil Diamond song)

Last updated
"Hello Again"
Neil Diamond Hello Again.jpg
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album The Jazz Singer soundtrack
B-side "Amazed and Confused"
ReleasedJanuary 1981
Recorded1980
Genre Pop
Length3:35 (single version), 4:04 (album version)
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Bob Gaudio
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"Love on the Rocks"
(1980)
"Hello Again"
(1981)
"America"
(1981)

"Hello Again" is a song written by Neil Diamond and Alan Lindgren that appeared in the 1980 movie The Jazz Singer , and was performed by Diamond on the soundtrack album to the film. It was also released as a single and reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. [1] [2] Billboard also ranked as the 70th top pop single for 1981. [3] In the UK, the song peaked at No. 51. [4] The song also peaked at No. 18 in Ireland. [5]

Contents

Background

"Hello Again" was described by Neil Diamond biographer Laura Jackson as a "slow tender ballad." [2] AllMusic critic Johnny Loftus considers it Diamond's "signature late-career ballad." [6] Author T. Mike Childs rated it as a "terrific" ballad. [7] Film reviewer Joe Peacock described "Hello Again" as being "keenly affecting to the emotions." [8]

Billboard critic Vicki Pipkin wrote that Diamond's performance of the song in The Jazz Singer is "poignant." [9] Record World said that "Diamond's deep tenor resonates to maximum dramatic intensity, with a monumental string/piano arrangement backdrop." [10] Pittsburgh Press music editor Carl Apone said that Diamond was at his best in The Jazz Singer in the songs "Hello Again" and "Love on the Rocks." [11]

Other uses

The song was used in the film Saving Silverman . It has been covered by several artists and orchestras, including Celtic Thunder, Donny Osmond, Regine Velasquez and Steve Cherelle. [12]

Charts

Year-end chart (1981)Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard) [13] 70

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [14] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.


References

  1. ↑ "The Jazz Singer Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Jackson, L. (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. pp. 164, 171. ISBN   9781550227079.
  3. ↑ "Pop Singles". Billboard . December 26, 1980. p. YE-9. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Neil Diamond". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  5. ↑ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  6. ↑ Loftus, J. "The Jazz Singer". AllMusic . Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  7. ↑ Childs, T.M. (2004). The Rocklopedia Fakebandica . Macmillan. p.  121. ISBN   9780312329440.
  8. ↑ Peacock, J. (December 24, 1980). "'The Jazz Singer Is Bad; 'Seasons' Simply Stupid". The Argus-Press . p. 29. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  9. ↑ Pipkin, V. (December 20, 1980). "No Jazz Heard in 'Jazz Singer' Film". Billboard. p. 20. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. January 31, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  11. ↑ Apone, C. (December 19, 1980). "Neil Diamond's Music Is Highlight of Updated 'Jazz Singer'". Pittsburgh Press . p. 18. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  12. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  13. ↑ "Number One Awards – Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 51. December 26, 1981. p. YE-9. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ "British single certifications – Neil Diamond – Hello Again". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved April 14, 2023.