Hello (Lionel Richie song)

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"Hello"
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
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)Lionel Richie
Producer(s)
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]

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[edit]

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

Composition[edit]

The song is written in the key of A minor.[8] The verses follow the chord progression of Am9—Cmaj7/G—Fmaj7—C6/G—Fmaj7. The chorus features a Neapolitan chord (Bb).[9]

Music video[edit]

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) until he discovers she shares the feeling as demonstrated by the discovery that she is sculpting a likeness of his head in clay.

Pop culture[edit]

The song is memorable for the line "Hello, is it me you're looking for?" The phrase started the song's composition, as when James Anthony Carmichael visited Richie, the singer greeted him that way, to which Carmichael replied, "Finish that song." Richie initially felt that the song was "corny" but ultimately "by the time I finished the verse, I fell in love with the song again."[10] Several publications have commented on similarities in the theme of the song and accompanying video with that of "Hello" by British singer Adele.[11][12]

Personnel[edit]

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Certifications and sales for "Hello"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[52] Platinum 50,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[53] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Gold 964,623[54]
United States (RIAA)[56] Gold 1,000,000^

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

Cover versions[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum. SpinMedia. May 31, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  2. ^ Harvey, Eric (May 19, 2012). "The Quiet Storm". Pitchfork. 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 Limited. pp. 434–5. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. ^ "A Long Island song writer has filed a $1..." UPI.
  7. ^ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 25, 1984. p. 7. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  8. ^ Lionel, Richie (March 21, 2011). "Hello". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  9. ^ "Unsupported Browser or Operating System". Musicnotes.com. March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  10. ^ "Lionel Richie recalls early distaste for 'Hello' as hit song turns 30". CTVNews. May 16, 2014.
  11. ^ Horton, Helena (October 26, 2015). "Lionel Richie responds to Adele's 'Hello'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  12. ^ "Lionel Richie responds on Instagram to Adele 'Hello' music video mash-up". Radio Times.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "Lionel Richie – Hello" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  15. ^ "Lionel Richie – Hello" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6741." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6748." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  18. ^ "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 1, no. 6. May 7, 1984. p. 8. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Lionel Richie – Hello" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 2. January 14, 1985. p. 8. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
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  23. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  24. ^ "Lionel Richie – Hello" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  25. ^ "Lionel Richie – Hello". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  26. ^ "Lionel Richie – Hello". VG-lista. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  27. ^ "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.
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  29. ^ "Lionel Richie – Hello". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  30. ^ "Lionel Richie: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  31. ^ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  32. ^ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  33. ^ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  34. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending May 12, 1984". Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  35. ^ "The Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary – Week ending May 12, 1984". Cash Box. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  36. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lionel Richie – Hello" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  37. ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report. No. 548. December 31, 1984 – via Imgur.
  38. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1984". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  39. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1984 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  40. ^ "Top 100 Singles of 1984". RPM. Vol. 41, no. 17. January 5, 1985. p. 7. ISSN 0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  41. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
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  44. ^ "Top 100 Singles (January 3–December 29, 1984)" (PDF). Music Week. January 26, 1985. p. 37. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  45. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1984". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  46. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1984". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  47. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1984". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
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  49. ^ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1984 – Top 50 Black Contemporary Singles". Cash Box. December 29, 1984. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
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  52. ^ "International - Brussels" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 16. April 25, 1987. p. 7. Retrieved November 27, 2019 – via American Radio History.
  53. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Lional 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".
  54. ^ Copsey, Rob (September 19, 2017). "The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  55. ^ "British single certifications – Lionel Richie – Hello". British Phonographic Industry.
  56. ^ "American single certifications – Lionel Richie – Hello". Recording Industry Association of America.
  57. ^ Γιάννης Πάριος - Που Πας, retrieved December 21, 2023
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  62. ^ "Llego La Voz - Berto La Voz". Allmusic. Rovi. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  63. ^ "Latin Tropical Airplay 2011-12-31". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 17, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  64. ^ "Jimmy Fallon's 'Hello' duet with Lionel Richie's head goes viral". UPI. September 20, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  65. ^ Robinson, Joanna (February 15, 2016). "Watch Demi Lovato Rock a Musical Tribute to Lionel Richie". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  66. ^ Ng, Philiana (February 15, 2016). "Demi Lovato Delivers Show-Stopping GRAMMYs Performance of 'Hello' During Lionel Richie Tribute". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Corporation. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  67. ^ Bell, Crystal (February 15, 2016). "Demi Lovato's Fire Cover of Lionel Richie's 'Hello' Will Give You Chills". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
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External links[edit]

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