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Hello It's Me
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Wikipedia article
"'Hello It's Me'" is a song written by American musician Todd Rundgren. It was the first song he wrote, and was recorded by his group Nazz as a slow ballad, released as the B-side of the band's first single, "Open My Eyes", in 1968. A mid-tempo version of "Hello It's Me", recorded for Rundgren's 1972 solo album 'Something/Anything?', was issued as a single in 1973, reaching No. 5 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart.
History
"Hello It's Me" was the first song written by Todd Rundgren.[http://www.puremusic.com/todd2.html Bill DeMain, "A Conversation with Todd Rundgren", puremusic.com] Written in 1967 as a slow ballad about the breakup of a relationship, it was released in October 1968 as the B-side of his band Nazz's debut single "Open My Eyes", and included on the debut album 'Nazz' (1968). Although released as a B-side, it was picked up in preference to the A-side by Boston radio station WMEX, where it rose to No. 1, and was subsequently picked up by other stations. It entered the Billboard chart in February 1969, peaking at number 71, and re-entered the charts the following January, this time peaking at number 66. In Canada, it ranked number 41 in March 1969, and number 58 in February 1970.
Rundgren's songs in this early phase of his career were heavily influenced by the work of Laura Nyro, but in a 2005 interview he revealed that the basic structure of the song was adapted from the introduction of a Jimmy Smith recording:
Todd Rundgren solo version
Rundgren recorded a more midtempo version of "Hello It's Me" for his 1972 solo album 'Something/Anything?'. It was released twice as a single, with the second issue in 1973 becoming Rundgren's only top ten pop hit, reaching No. 5 on the Hot 100. It also reached No. 17 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Personnel
*Todd Rundgren lead vocals, piano*Mark "Moogy" Klingman organ
*John Siomos drums
*Stu Woods bass guitar
*Robbie Kogale guitar
*Randy Brecker trumpet
*Michael Brecker tenor sax
*Barry Rogers trombone
*Hope Ruff backing vocals
*Richard Corey backing vocals
*Allan Nicholls - backing vocals
*Vicki Robinson backing vocals
*Dennis Cooley backing vocals
*Cecilia Norfleet backing vocals[http://discog.fleetwoodmac.net/songs.php?sid=1869 Todd Rundgren- "Hello, It's Me" information @fleetwoodmac.net] Retrieved 1-15-2011.Todd Rundgren - 'Something/Anything?' (1972) album- Liner notes.
Chart history
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Popular culture
*In 2021 the song was used during a pivotal scene in the premiere episode of 'And Just Like That...', the TV sequel to the original 'Sex and the City' on HBO. It was repeated at various points during the show's 2021-22 season.
* In the pilot of the Fox sitcom 'That '70s Show', the song was first mentioned by Jackie Burkhart and it also played over the ending scene in which Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti were lying on the Vista Cruiser. In addition, the end credits featured Eric and the gang joyfully singing "Hello It's Me" in the car while on their way to a Todd Rundgren concert. This scene was used again during the end credits of the show's series finale.
* Paul Giamatti's character in the 2000 film 'Duets' performs this song in a karaoke bar.
* The single was used in a 2009 Tums advertisement.
* The song is used in the movie 'The Virgin Suicides'.
* Rundgren's version is used in the 2011 movie 'Paul'.
* Rundgren's version is used in a deleted scene of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2'.
Other versions
*A cover version of "Hello It's Me" was recorded by The Isley Brothers for their 1974 album 'Live It Up'.
*A version influenced by the Isley Brothers' cover was recorded by Groove Theory for their 1995 self-titled album.
*Mary J. Blige recorded a version produced by Mark Ronson that appears on the Japanese and iTunes editions of her 2007 album 'Growing Pains'.
*Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs included their take of the song on their album 'Under the Covers, Vol. 2'.
*Todd Rundgren recorded a new "Latin" version in 1997 on his album 'With a Twist...'
*Erykah Badu recorded a version influenced by the Isley Brothers' cover on her 2015 mixtape 'But You Caint Use My Phone', as a duet with Andr 3000.
References
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