Hello (Kelly Clarkson song)

Last updated
"Hello"
Song by Kelly Clarkson
from the album Stronger
Recorded2011
Los Angeles, California
(Pulse Recording Studios)
Genre Rock [1]
Length3:00
Label RCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Abraham
  • Oligee

"Hello" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Written by Clarkson, Josh Abraham, Oliver Goldstein, and Bonnie McKee, with production by Abraham and Oligee, "Hello" is a midtempo rock song about searching for companionship in hopes of not being lonely, in which the singer asks, "Hello? Is anybody listening?"

Contents

Upon its release, "Hello" was received with positive reception from music critics, who regarded it as a vocal highlight of Stronger. Boosted by digital sales during the album's release, the song entered the South Korean Singles Chart at number 47. Clarkson has also performed it a limited live performance during her Stronger Tour in 2012.

Release and composition

"Hello" was written by Kelly Clarkson Josh Abraham, Oliver Goldstein, and Bonnie McKee, with Abraham and Goldstein (as Ollgee) handling the song's production. During the summer of 2011, Clarkson and McKee had collaborated on tracks such as "Hello" and "Alone", intending it to be recorded for Clarkson's fifth studio album, Stronger , which was released on October of that same year. [2] [3] An acoustic version of the "Hello" was included as the opening track of her first extended play, The Smoakstack Sessions (2011). [3]

Written in the key of E minor, [4] "Hello" is a midtempo [5] rock [1] song with guitar chords and its hand claps. [1] According to the sheet music published by Kobalt Music Publishing, Clarkson's voice range featured in the song spans from A3 to E5. [4] Jarett Wieselman of omg! Insider noted that its chord progression is similar to Katy Perry's single "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" (2011), a track also written by McKee. [6]

Critical response

"Hello" has received positive reviews from music critics. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard described it as "a slightly more rugged track that finds its groove in the chorus. The handclaps on the bridge are a nice touch" and added that the song "is gonna be a killer in concert." [7] Seattle Post-Intelligencer 's Jason Scott described "Hello" as a "Fun" and "cool" track. [8] He compared it to tracks recorded on All I Ever Wanted (2009) and noted that the track relies "solely on the "O" vowel to tell a story. "Ignorance isn't wise, but it beats being alone," Clarkson sings before asking if anybody is listening. We hear you loud and clear!" [8] Brian Mansfield of USA Today considered "Hello" as a vocal highlight of Stronger, he wrote in his review: "this rock tune sounds happier than its lyrics, which depict Kelly as feeling alone even when she's not by herself." [1] Sam Lansky of PopCrush compared it to "Mr. Know It All", and described it as a '90s throwback. He wrote, definitely works, especially with the hooky chorus and heartbroken ferocity of the bridge: "Holding onto the memories of when I, I didn't know / Ignorance isn't wise but it beats being alone." [5] Ryan Pearson of The Huffington Post noted that "there is an undertone of loneliness and sadness coursing throughout, including some downbeat lyrics co-written by Clarkson herself. "Hello, is anybody listening? Won't somebody show me that I'm not alone," she sings on "Hello"." [9]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Stronger liner notes. [10]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2011)Peak
position
South Korea International Singles (GAON) [11] 47

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie McKee</span> American singer-songwriter

Bonnie Leigh McKee is an American singer and songwriter. Her debut album, Trouble, was released in 2004 under Reprise Records. After underperforming, McKee was dropped by her label and took a musical hiatus before establishing herself as a songwriter. McKee has written 10 singles that have reached number one in either the United States or the United Kingdom, which have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide combined. In 2013, McKee made a return to music with a slew of singles, including "American Girl". She would later independently release an EP, Bombastic (2015).

Scott Michael Cutler is an American songwriter, musician, record producer, and music executive. As a member of the alternative rock band Ednaswap, he co-wrote "Torn" which was covered in 1997 by Natalie Imbruglia. Her recording became the worldwide number one airplay song, and spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay Chart in the US. "Torn" has sold an estimated four million copies, it is certified Platinum in 3 countries, and was declared the "number one radio single of the 1990s" by radio personality Rick Dees. Ednaswap released three albums between 1995 and 1998 and toured with No Doubt, Weezer, and Better Than Ezra

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Abraham</span> Musical artist

Josh Abraham is an American record producer, songwriter, and music executive. He has worked with artists including P!nk, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Shakira, Weezer, Linkin Park, Velvet Revolver, Carly Rae Jepsen, Adam Lambert, Alkaline Trio, and Slayer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sober (Kelly Clarkson song)</span> 2007 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Sober" is a song recorded by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson taken from her third studio album, My December (2007). The song served as the album's second single on July 10, 2007, through 19 Recordings and RCA Records. Clarkson wrote it after her friend Calamity McEntire, who receives a songwriting credit, gave her the line "pick her weeds and keep the flowers", with additional writing by Aben Eubanks and Jimmy Messer, production by David Kahne, and co-production by Messer and Jason Halbert. "Sober" is an alternative rock song, with lyrics that use addiction as a metaphor for a relationship, evolving around the line "Three months and I'm still sober".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Minute</span> 2007 single by Kelly Clarkson

"One Minute" is a song recorded by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson taken from her third studio album, My December (2007). The song served as the album's second single in Australia on September 18, 2007, through 19 Recordings and RCA Records. Clarkson originally wrote it for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004), with songwriters Kara DioGuardi, Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida; however, it did not make the final track listing. It was then reworked for My December, being produced by David Kahne, and co-produced by Jason Halbert and Jimmy Messer. "One Minute" is an alternative rock song with electropop influences, and consists of "rapid-fire give-and-take verses".

<i>RA</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Simon Curtis

RA is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter and record producer Simon Curtis. It was released independently on June 7, 2011. The album peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart.

<i>Stronger</i> (Kelly Clarkson album) 2011 studio album by Kelly Clarkson

Stronger is the fifth studio album by American singer Kelly Clarkson, released on October 21, 2011 by RCA Records. The thirteen-song track-list features Clarkson collaborating with various new producers as well as with Howard Benson, whom she collaborated with on her previous album, All I Ever Wanted (2009). Wanting to stray away sonically from her previous albums, Clarkson's main objective was to record her vocal performances as it is heard in her live sets, and used as little auto-tune processing as possible. The album also marked the first release by Clarkson that did not cause a conflict with RCA; her previous records, most notably My December (2007), were released amidst conflict and controversy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)</span> 2012 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Stronger " is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson and the title song from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Originally titled as "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)", the song served as the album's second single on January 17, 2012, through RCA Records. Written by Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, and David Gamson, with additional writing and production by Greg Kurstin, "Stronger " is an uptempo song which draws from the genres of dance-pop and electropop. Its lyrical content mainly explores themes of empowerment and recovery following a heartbreak, with the chorus inspired by a Friedrich Nietzsche quotation: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."

"If I Can't Have You" is a song performed by American singer and songwriter Kelly Clarkson, derived from her fourth studio album All I Ever Wanted (2009). The song was composed by Clarkson and American songwriter and producer Ryan Tedder, who was at helm for the song's production. "If I Can't Have You" is an electro song. The song has garnered comparisons to Miley Cyrus' "Fly on the Wall".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovebird (song)</span> 2012 single by Leona Lewis

"Lovebird" is a song recorded by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis for her third studio album Glassheart (2012). It was written by Bonnie McKee, Joshua "Ammo" Coleman and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, and produced by Josh Abrahams, Ammo and Oligee. "Lovebird" was recorded at Pulse Recording in Los Angeles and is a power ballad, incorporating a piano and synth-driven melody. The lyrics consist of Lewis informing her past lover that enough time has passed since their relationship for her to have moved on and to have developed as a person. Critics praised Lewis' vocal performance, likening her technical abilities to those of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The musical structure of the song was heavily compared to one of her previous singles, "Bleeding Love", along with songs performed by Adele. The accompanying music video shows Lewis trying to escape from a giant bird cage.

"I Forgive You" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson, included on her fifth studio album Stronger (2011). It was produced and co-written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and Andre Lindal, with extra writing and background vocals from Lauren Christy. Musically, "I Forgive You" is a pop rock and power pop song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Up (A Cowboys Anthem)</span> 2012 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Get Up " is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson. It was written by Clarkson and Ryan Williams, and co-written and produced by Josh Abraham and Oligee. It was originally released on August 13, 2012 as a free recording by Pepsi as part of their Pepsi NFL Anthems, an advertisement campaign with the National Football League to promote the Dallas Cowboys football team. It was re-released on October 2, 2012 by RCA Records.

<i>Greatest Hits – Chapter One</i> (Kelly Clarkson album) 2012 greatest hits album by Kelly Clarkson

Greatest Hits – Chapter One is the first greatest hits album by American singer Kelly Clarkson, released on November 16, 2012, by RCA Records. It contains material from Clarkson's first five studio albums: Thankful (2003), Breakaway (2004), My December (2007), All I Ever Wanted (2009), and Stronger (2011). Its three newly recorded songs, "Catch My Breath", "Don't Rush", and "People Like Us", served as singles; contributions to their production came from Sound Kollectiv, Greg Kurstin, and Dann Huff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catch My Breath</span> 2012 song by Kelly Clarkson

"Catch My Breath" is a song by American pop artist Kelly Clarkson, from her first greatest hits album, Greatest Hits – Chapter One. One of the three newly recorded songs for Chapter One, it was released as the album's lead single through RCA Records on October 10, 2012. It was written by Clarkson, and co-written and produced by her musical director Jason Halbert, along with producer Eric Olson.

"Einstein" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Originally titled as "Dumb + Dumb = You", "Einstein" was written by Clarkson, Toby Gad, Bridget Kelly, and James Fauntleroy II, with Gad handling the production. Lyrically, the song is written in a woman's first-person narrative about her acquiescence and infuriation towards her ex-lover, whom she described in the song as "dumb". Written in wordplay, it uses various mathematical-related equations and topics as rhetorical devices to describe their relationship, notably referencing the German-born physicist Albert Einstein in a metaphorical lyric, which led to the song being named after him.

"The War Is Over" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Written by Toby Gad and Olivia Waithe, and produced by Gad, "The War Is Over" is a ballad that tells of a resolute ending to a relationship between lovers, in which the woman, after seeing that their relationship is turbulent beyond repair, decides to walk away.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Girl (Bonnie McKee song)</span> 2013 single by Bonnie McKee

"American Girl" is a song by American singer and songwriter Bonnie McKee intended to be the lead single of her canceled second studio album. Epic Records first released it to McKee's SoundCloud on June 25, 2013. The song was written by McKee, Josh Abraham, Jon Asher, Alex Drury, Oliver Goldstein and Jacknife Lee, while Abraham and Oligee handled the production. The single has been described as a dance-pop and electropop track. Its lyrics address McKee's childhood and teenagehood from an American perspective.

<i>Piece by Piece</i> (Kelly Clarkson album) 2015 studio album by Kelly Clarkson

Piece by Piece is the seventh studio album by American singer Kelly Clarkson. It was released on February 27, 2015, by RCA Records. It was her final album under her recording contract with the label, to which she signed after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002. She then made the switch to Atlantic in 2016. The album saw Clarkson reuniting with frequent collaborators Greg Kurstin, Jesse Shatkin, Jason Halbert, Eric Olson, and Chris DeStefano. She also gathered material from songwriters such as Sia, Matthew Koma, MoZella, Bonnie McKee, David Jost, Semi Precious Weapons lead singer Justin Tranter, and former Cobra Starship member Ryland Blackinton, among others. Inspired by the orchestral production on Wrapped in Red, Clarkson wanted all the songs on Piece by Piece to resonate like its own film soundtrack, taking a cue from the soundtracks of the feature motion pictures Cruel Intentions (1999) and Love Actually (2003) and commissioning orchestral arrangements by Joseph Trapanese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invincible (Kelly Clarkson song)</span> 2015 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Invincible" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). It was written by Sia, Jesse Shatkin, Steve Mostyn, and Warren "Oak" Felder. Produced by Shatkin, the track is an orchestral synthpop anthem about self-empowerment. "Invincible" features uncredited vocals from Sia, as well as string arrangements by Oliver Kraus. It was first released as the first promotional single from Piece by Piece on February 23, 2015, but then issued as the album's second single to Hot Adult Contemporary radio stations on May 18, 2015 through RCA Records.

Oliver was an electronic music production and DJ duo consisting of Vaughn Oliver and Oliver Goldstein, based in Los Angeles.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mansfield, Brian (October 21, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger': A track-by-track-review". USA Today . Gannett Company . Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ Kennedy, Gerrick (October 26, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson, 'Stronger' than ever". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Vena, Jocelyn (September 15, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson Unveils Stronger Track List". MTV . Viacom Media Networks . Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  4. 1 2 McKee, Bonnie; Goldstein, Oliver; Clarkson, Kelly; Abraham, Josh (2011). "Kelly Clarkson - 'Hello' Sheet Music (Digital Download)" (sheet music). Musicnotes.com. Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. Retrieved July 23, 2013.(subscription required)
  5. 1 2 Lansky, Sam (October 24, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson, 'Stronger' – Album Review". PopCrush. Townsquare Media . Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  6. ↑ Wieselman, Jarett (October 24, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson – Strong on 'Stronger'". omg! Insider . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  7. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (October 24, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson, 'Stronger': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard . New York: Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Scott, Jason (October 29, 2011). "Music Review: Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (Deluxe Edition)". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Hearst Corporation . Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  9. ↑ Pearson, Ryan (October 26, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson Talks New Album; Singer Feels At Ease With The Release Of 'Stronger'". The Huffington Post . AOL . Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  10. ↑ Stronger (digital booklet). Kelly Clarkson. RCA Records/19 Recordings. 2011. GBCTA1100368.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ 가온차트와 함께하세요 [South Korea "Gaon" International Singles - November 23, 2012]. Gaon Single Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2013. On the page, select "2011" and then "2011.11.23~2011.11.29" to obtain the corresponding chart.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.