Hello (Lionel Richie song)

"Hello"
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Can't Slow Down
B-side	"You Mean More to Me"
Released	February 13, 1984
Genre	Soft rock[1]
Length	4:14
Label	Motown
Writer(s)	Lionel Richie
Producer(s)	Lionel Richie James Anthony Carmichael
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
Lionel Richie singles chronology
"Running with the Night" (1983) "Hello" (1984) "Stuck on You" (1984)

"Hello" is a song by Lionel Richie. Taken as the third single from Richie's multi-platinum album Can't Slow Down, 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),^[2] and the adult contemporary chart (for six weeks). The song also went to number one in the UK Singles Chart for six weeks.^[3] The song later inspired a lawsuit by songwriter Marjorie Hoffman White, who accused Richie of plagiarizing her composition "I'm Not Ready to Go".^[4]

The song is memorable for the line "Hello, is it me you're looking for?". That phrase started the song's composition, as James Anthony Carmichael visited Richie, and after the singer greeted him that way, 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."^[5] The guitar solo on the song was played by session guitarist Louie Shelton. In pop culture, the song is featured in the films Bitter Moon, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Herbie: Fully Loaded, Scary Movie 4, Are We Done Yet?, Shrek Forever After, Hard Boiled, Colour Me Kubrick, Happy Feet, Paddington, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. It has also featured in the television shows The Goldbergs, Family Guy, Seinfeld, Community, and Glee as well in commercials for companies like Yahoo! and IKEA.

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).^[6]

Music video

The music video, 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. The infamous bust used in the video, which bears little resemblance to Richie, has been parodied in popular culture.^[7][8] Richie himself complained to the video's director, Bob Giraldi, that the bust did not look like him.^[9]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1984) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[10] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[12] 1 Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[13] 1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[14] 1 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[15] 1 France (SNEP)[16] 25 Germany (Official German Charts)[17] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[18] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 1 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[22] 5 Poland (LP3)[23] 3 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[24] 5 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[25] 6 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[26] 1 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[27] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[28] 1 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[29] 1 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30] 1 US Cash Box[31] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1984) Rank Australia Billboard Hits of the World[32] 6 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[33] 16 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[34] 9 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[35] 11 Germany (Official German Charts)[36] 27 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 5 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[38] 12 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 5 UK Singles (Official Single Charts)[40] 7 US Billboard Hot 100[41] 7 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[42] 2 US Top Black Singles (Billboard[43] 7 US Cash Box Top 100[44] 12 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales United States (RIAA)[45] Gold 1,000,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Gold 400,000^^ ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Cover versions

• In 2011, American bachata singer Berto La Voz covered the song which was released as the first single from his debut album Llego La Voz.^[47] This version peaked at #11 on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart.^[48]
• As a part of the tribute to Richie at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards on February 15, 2016, American singer Demi Lovato gave a rendition of the song.^[49][50][51] Her cover version eventually peaked at 15 on the Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart.^[52]

See also

• List of number-one singles of 1984 (Australia)
• List of Belgian number-one singles of 1984 (Flanders))
• List of number-one singles of 1984 (Canada)
• List of number-one singles of 1984 (Ireland)
• List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1984
• List of number-one singles in 1984 (New Zealand)
• List of number-one singles of 1984 (Switzerland)
• List of UK Singles Chart number ones of 1984
• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1984
• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1984 (U.S.)
• List of number-one R&B singles of 1984 (U.S.)
• List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1984

References

1. "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum. SpinMedia. May 31, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 492.
3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 434–5. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
4. "A Long Island song writer has filed a $1...". UPI.
5. "Lionel Richie recalls early distaste for 'Hello' as hit song turns 30". CTVNews.
6. "Unsupported Browser or Operating System". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
7. Jack Mathieson (May 23, 2014). "Student blindfolds himself as he bids to recreate famous Lionel Ritchie sculpture from 1984". dailyrecord.
8. Kiernan Maletsky and Gavin Cleaver. "Lionel Richie's "Hello" is the Most Confusing Music Video of All Time". Dallas Observer.
9. "Lionel Richie on Hits Tour, Commodores Reunion and the Legend of 'Hello' - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone.
10. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
11. "Austriancharts.at – Lionel Richie – Hello" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
12. "Ultratop.be – Lionel Richie – Hello" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
13. "Radio 2 Top 30" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
14. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6741." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
15. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6748." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
16. "Lescharts.com – Lionel Richie – Hello" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
17. "Offiziellecharts.de – Lionel Richie – Hello". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
18. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Lionel Richie". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
19. "Dutchcharts.nl – Lionel Richie – Hello" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
20. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 27 August 2016.
21. "Charts.org.nz – Lionel Richie – Hello". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
22. "Topp 20 Single uke 25, 1984 – VG-lista. Offisielle hitlister fra og med 1958" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
23. "Lista Przebojów Programu 3". LP3. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
24. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Acts R". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
25. "Swedishcharts.com – Lionel Richie – Hello". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
26. "Swisscharts.com – Lionel Richie – Hello". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
27. "Archive Chart: 1984-03-24" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
28. "Lionel Richie – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Lionel Richie. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
29. "Lionel Richie – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Lionel Richie. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
30. "Lionel Richie – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Lionel Richie. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
31. CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MAY 12, 1984 at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 September 2012). Cash Box magazine.
32. "Volume 96 No. 51, DECEMBER 22. 1984" (PDF). Billboard. New York, NY, USA. 22 December 1984. p. TA-12. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
33. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1984". Ö3 Austria Top 40 (in German). Retrieved 27 August 2016.
34. "Ultratop Jaaroverzichten 1984". Ultratop 50 (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 August 2016.
35. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9638." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
36. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 1984". GfK Entertainment Charts (in German). Retrieved 27 August 2016.
37. "Dutch Charts Jaaroverzichten Single 1984". Single Top 100 (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 August 2016.
38. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 August 2016.
39. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1984". Swiss Singles Chart (in German). Retrieved 27 August 2016.
40. 1984 in British music#Best-selling singles
41. "Volume 96 No. 51, DECEMBER 22. 1984" (PDF). Billboard. New York, NY, USA. 22 December 1984. p. TA-19. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
42. "Volume 96 No. 51, DECEMBER 22. 1984" (PDF). Billboard. New York, NY, USA. 22 December 1984. p. TA-25. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
43. "Volume 96 No. 51, DECEMBER 22. 1984" (PDF). Billboard. New York, NY, USA. 22 December 1984. p. TA-21. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
44. The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1984 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 11, 2012). Cash Box magazine.
45. "American single certifications – Lionel Richie – Hello". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
46. "British single certifications – Lionel Richie – Hello". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Hello in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
47. "Llego La Voz - Berto La Voz". Allmusic. Rovi. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
48. "Latin Tropical Airplay 2011-12-31". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 17, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
49. Robinson, Joanna (February 15, 2016). "Watch Demi Lovato Rock a Musical Tribute to Lionel Richie". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
50. 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.
51. 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.
52. "Billboard Twitter Top Tracks". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics