Hello, and welcome to Hearing Double, where I compare and contrast two unrelated songs of the same title and decide which title does the most justice!
This week, we’re opening up the first column of the semester with “Hello” by Lionel Richie and Adele.
As a disclaimer, there are countless songs called “Hello,” and many of them are very famous. However, Richie and Adele have the most comparable and recognizable songs, so we’ll focus on them.
Richie released “Hello” in 1983 as a track on his album “Can’t Slow Down.” He wrote the song after his producer heard him trying out the tune on the piano and encouraged him to run with it.
The song tells the story of a man hoping to introduce himself to the person he loves. Richie addresses the woman of his dreams, saying “I’ve been alone with you inside my mind,” explaining how he’s been pining for her. Then he moves to the chorus and introduces himself with the titular “hello.”
It’s open to interpretation whether Richie is actually speaking to the woman or just imagining what he would say in the song. However, if he is speaking to her, it may not be the smartest move to “start by saying I love you” as Richie does in the second chorus. I would advise sticking with “hello” for your first time talking to someone.
That said, Richie expresses a beautiful yearning in the song that tugs at the heartstrings. He plays the role of the hopeless romantic over melancholy music. Haunting yet compelling instrumentation under each chorus moves the listener and makes it easy to relate to the song if you’ve ever had a crush on someone you’re scared to talk to.
Adele’s “Hello” is one of the most immediately recognizable melodies of our generation. After those first few piano notes, anyone within earshot will dramatically look up and utter that first “hello.” It’s a song so iconic that Saturday Night Live aired a sketch about the song bringing people together.
Adele’s song tells the story of trying to reconnect with someone after time apart. In various interviews, Adele has revealed the song was not intended for a particular person, rather, it could be interpreted as a message to friends who have drifted apart, ex-lovers or the person that Adele herself used to be.
The openness to interpretation can change the meaning of lyrics like “when I call, you never seem to be home” and “I’m sorry for breaking your heart.” The essence of the song, however, remains deeply tragic and resigned, capturing the quiet heartbreak of needing to move on from a relationship in a powerful way.
There’s no doubt that Adele is an incredibly talented vocalist. Her transitions between the quiet verses and forceful choruses give an ethereal power to the song and goosebumps to the listener. The song features a simple piano melody, along with angelic backing instruments and vocals on the chorus. The actual music behind the lyrics draws deep upon the emotion and tragedy channeled through the song.
Both songs aim for bittersweet tones, one pining for the future and the other pining for the past. However, Richie’s maintains a more pensive consistency, while Adele’s swings between the subtle verses and powerful choruses.
Although Richie’s gentle yearning is a beautiful message to his love, Adele’s ballad captures iconic desperation and heart in a simple “hello” so effectively that it simply can’t be topped.
Winner: Adele