"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, 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.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 band's 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 phase of his career were influenced by the work of Laura Nyro, but in a 2005 interview he said 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 vocalsTodd Rundgren- "Hello, It's Me" information @fleetwoodmac.net Retrieved 1-15-2011.Todd Rundgren - Something/Anything? (1972) album- Liner notes.
Chart history Weekly charts +1973–1974 singles chartsChartPeak Australia (Kent Music Report)68 Canada RPM 100 Singles15 Canada RPM Pop Music Playlist9 US Billboard Hot 1005 US Billboard Easy Listening17 US Cash Box Top 1002 US Record World Singles Chart4
Year-end charts Chart (1973)RankCanada RPM Top Singles139U.S. Billboard Hot 100Musicoutfitters.com82 Chart (1974)RankU.S. Cash Box23
Popular culture The song was featured in Sofia Coppola's 1999 film The Virgin Suicides. In 2021, it was used during a pivotal scene in the series premiere of And Just Like That..., the sequel to Sex and the City. It was repeated at various points during the show's 2021–22 season. Rundgren's version of the song was sampled by American indie pop band TV Girl on their song "If You Want It", from their 2010 self-titled EP. The song attracted the attention of Rhino Entertainment, who issued a takedown notice on the band.
Other versions A cover version of "Hello It's Me" was recorded by the Isley Brothers for their 1974 album Live It Up.
References
External links Todd Rundgren's "Hello, It's Me": Wild Success Story, Marc Nathan, August 13, 2015, Best Classic Bands