About The Song
“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), and the Adult Contemporary chart (for six weeks). The song also went to number one on the UK Singles Chart for six weeks.
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”.
Cash Box said that the song “is as melodic and heartwrenching as anything [Ritchie] has done previously and that’s saying something.
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.
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.” Several publications have commented on similarities in the theme of the song and accompanying video with that of “Hello” by British singer Adele.
The song is also featured in the 1997 Seinfeld episode “The Voice,” when Jerry is considering whether to keep using a silly voice which pleases him but annoys his girlfriend, or obeying her wishes and never using it again
Video
Lyrics
I’ve been alone with you
Inside my mind
And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips
A thousand times
I sometimes see you
Pass outside my door
Hello!
Is it me you’re looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You’re all I’ve ever wanted
And my arms are open wide
Because you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much
I love youI long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again
How much I care
Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello!
I’ve just got to let you know
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven’t got a clue
But let me start by saying I love youHello!
Is it me you’re looking for?
Becuase I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven’t got a clue