Hello (Kelly Clarkson song)

"Hello" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Written by Clarkson, Josh Abraham, Oliver Goldstein, and Bonnie McKee, with production by Abraham and Oligee, "Hello" is a midtempo rock song about searching for companionship in hopes of not being lonely, in which the singer asks, "Hello? Is anybody listening?"

"Hello"
Song by Kelly Clarkson
from the album Stronger
Recorded2011
Los Angeles, California
(Pulse Recording Studios)
GenreRock[1]
Length3:00
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Abraham
  • Oligee

Upon its release, "Hello" was received with positive reception from music critics, who regarded it as a vocal highlight of Stronger. Boosted by digital sales during the album's release, the song entered the South Korean Singles Chart at number 47. Clarkson has also performed it a limited live performance during her Stronger Tour in 2012.

Release and composition

"Hello" was written by Kelly Clarkson Josh Abraham, Oliver Goldstein, and Bonnie McKee, with Abraham and Goldstein (as Ollgee) handling the song's production. During the summer of 2011, Clarkson and McKee had collaborated on tracks such as "Hello" and "Alone", intending it to be recorded for Clarkson's fifth studio album, Stronger, which was released on October of that same year.[2][3] An acoustic version of the "Hello" was included as the opening track of her first extended play, The Smoakstack Sessions (2011).[3]

Written in the key of E minor,[4] "Hello" is a midtempo[5] rock[1] song with guitar chords and its hand claps.[1] According to the sheet music published by Kobalt Music Publishing, Clarkson's voice range featured in the song spans from A3 to E5.[4] Jarett Wieselman of omg! Insider noted that its chord progression is similar to Katy Perry's single "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" (2011), a track also written by McKee.[6]

Critical response

"Hello" has received positive reviews from music critics. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard described it as "a slightly more rugged track that finds its groove in the chorus. The handclaps on the bridge are a nice touch" and added that the song "is gonna be a killer in concert."[7] Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Jason Scott described "Hello" as a "Fun" and "cool" track.[8] He compared it to tracks recorded on All I Ever Wanted (2009) and noted that the track relies "solely on the "O" vowel to tell a story. "Ignorance isn't wise, but it beats being alone," Clarkson sings before asking if anybody is listening. We hear you loud and clear!"[8] Brian Mansfield of USA Today considered "Hello" as a vocal highlight of Stronger, he wrote in his review: "this rock tune sounds happier than its lyrics, which depict Kelly as feeling alone even when she's not by herself."[1] Sam Lansky of PopCrush compared it to "Mr. Know It All", and described it as a '90s throwback. He wrote, definitely works, especially with the hooky chorus and heartbroken ferocity of the bridge: "Holding onto the memories of when I, I didn't know / Ignorance isn't wise but it beats being alone."[5] Ryan Pearson of The Huffington Post noted that "there is an undertone of loneliness and sadness coursing throughout, including some downbeat lyrics co-written by Clarkson herself. "Hello, is anybody listening? Won't somebody show me that I'm not alone," she sings on "Hello"."[9]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Stronger liner notes.[10]

Recording

  • Recorded by Ryan Williams at Pulse Recording, Los Angeles, California

Personnel

Charts
Chart (2011) Peak
position
South Korea International Singles (GAON)[11] 47

References
  1. Mansfield, Brian (October 21, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger': A track-by-track-review". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  2. Kennedy, Gerrick (October 26, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson, 'Stronger' than ever". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  3. Vena, Jocelyn (September 15, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson Unveils Stronger Track List". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  4. McKee, Bonnie; Goldstein, Oliver; Clarkson, Kelly; Abraham, Josh (2011). "Kelly Clarkson - 'Hello' Sheet Music (Digital Download)" (sheet music). Musicnotes.com. Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. Retrieved July 23, 2013. (subscription required)
  5. Lansky, Sam (October 24, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson, 'Stronger' – Album Review". PopCrush. Townsquare Media. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  6. Wieselman, Jarett (October 24, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson – Strong on 'Stronger'". omg! Insider. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  7. Lipshutz, Jason (October 24, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson, 'Stronger': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. New York: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  8. Scott, Jason (October 29, 2011). "Music Review: Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (Deluxe Edition)". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  9. Pearson, Ryan (October 26, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson Talks New Album; Singer Feels At Ease With The Release Of 'Stronger'". The Huffington Post. AOL. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  10. Stronger (digital booklet). Kelly Clarkson. RCA Records/19 Recordings. 2011. GBCTA1100368.CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. 가온차트와 함께하세요 [South Korea "Gaon" International Singles - November 23, 2012]. Gaon Single Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2013. On the page, select "2011" and then "2011.11.23~2011.11.29" to obtain the corresponding chart.
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