Hello It's Me
by Todd Rundgren

Album: Something/Anything? (1972)
Charted: 5
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  • Hello, it's me
    I've thought about us for a long, long time
    Maybe I think too much but something's wrong
    There's something here that doesn't last too long
    Maybe I shouldn't think of you as mine

    Seeing you, or seeing anything as much as I do you
    I take for granted that you're always there
    I take for granted that you just don't care
    Sometimes I can't help seeing all the way through

    It's important to me
    That you know you are free
    'Cause I never want to make you change for me

    Think of me
    You know that I'd be with you if I could
    I'll come around to see you once in a while
    Or if I ever need a reason to smile
    And spend the night if you think I should

    It's important to me
    That you know you are free
    'Cause I never want to make you change for me

    Think of me
    You know that I'd be with you if I could
    I'll come around to see you once in a while
    Or if I ever need a reason to smile
    And spend the night if you think I should Writer/s: Todd Rundgren
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 59

  • La Zalewski from PennsylvaniaA timeless song that I have known ever since I could sing a note. The full version is on the LP and is much better. Feels like you're in the studio with Todd as he's doing the final take. Anyway, one of the greatest by one of the greatest.
  • Jeff K. from LaIt is not just the first episode in That 70s Show that you hear this song. If you listen closely, you can hear musical cues from this song during key scenes of Donna and Eric's relationship throughout the series.
  • Allan Nicholls from Charlottesville VirginiaThanks for your telling of the recording of "Hello it's Me"! I was performing the role of Claude in "Hair" on Broadway at that time and I had been doing some recording at Electric Lady Studios. It was there that I met and recorded with Rick Derringer, Moogy Klingman, the Brecker Brothers, John Siomos, Barry Rogers, and Stu Woods, all who were on the session that night. Rick had asked me earlier in the week if I could put a group of the cast together to sing background vocals for a session late one night after the show. We had the cast singing on one of my sessions "Coming Apart" and it sounded great. I asked Heather MacRae, Vickie Sue Robinson, Celia Norfleet, George Hirsch, George Garcia, and Dennis Cooley, and we all went to the studio after Hair was done and sang on the now infamous "Hello it's Me" live to tape session. That is how Todd wanted it as he approached this version of the song with a "head arrangement" in the studio tossing out ideas and having the musicians and singers add their interpretation. It was a great session and the one thing I remember was losing my voice (I had done two shows that day) and I was making a lot of squeaking sounds so I quickly moved myself off mike as conductor of the background vocals making certain that my over-worked voice wasn't heard that well in my off-mike position. It was an exciting session because we knew we were doing something rare in that it was "live-to-tape". It was multitrack so Todd could mess with the mix but the feel of the performance when it was exactly to Todd's liking was what we were searching for and eventually found. I will never forget it and I am reminded of that moment in this article and felt that I should add me rendition. The fact that the song (or more specifically this recorded version) has gone on to be one of the most listened to, played, and well-received songs in the world, doesn't get lost on the way it was created, and who guided its creation, and all the wonderful giving musicians and singers involved.
    Thanks for the opportunity to add this to your piece.
  • Sharon from From Media But Now South PhiladelphiaMy older brother bought the Nazz album. We knew Todd Rundgren was from Upper Darby and thought that was cool that somebody local had such a great album. I always thought that "Hello, It's Me" was a breakup song 'cause the guy was leaving for college or Viet Nam, which was pretty much where so many young men went at that time. All these years later, I still love this song, and surprisingly so do my daughters and granddaughters! Thank you Todd!
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenI never saw this as a breakup song, but one where the guy doesn't enough have time/space in his wife for his lady, so he's giving her a hall pass so she doesn't feel tied down.
  • Rebekah Blackbird from Fresno County California haunted by the memory of a long lost love.
    The years pass quickly when we realize we didn't try hard enough to find each again and return to the happiness we had when we were together. It seems to be about an unexpected lover's phone call stating, we blew it , it's too late and I miss you. Regret and despair .
  • Clemence from New YorkThis song also packed a nostalgia punch for me, even though I never really paid attention to the lyrics until just recently. It was a song I heard a lot as a child in the 1970s (I was 5 in 1974) that I am just investigating now. I keep wondering, "Is it important to *her* that she knows she is free?"
    Just listened to the Isley Brothers version - it gave me chills. Thanks to whoever mentioned that.
  • Chris Rogers from Newyork Citytypo on my last post - Dreams existed from 1969-1972. Their first recording was simply self-tilted, and the second was called "Imagine My Surprise. The band was notable for being equally loved by jazz fans and rock fans; for the presence of the incredible drummer Billy Cobham; and for the debut (for the second album) of Will Lee at age 19, who became one of New York's top studio musicians and later played bass with the David Letterman Show for its entire run!
  • Chris Rogers from Newyork CityTHERE is a great reason (actually 3) why the horns sound so good! I would like to confirm that my father, the late Barry Rogers did play the trombone solo on Hello It's Me. The horn section of Barry, Michael & Randy Brecker - was the horns section for the groundbreaking jazz/rock DREAMS band, which recorded 2 albums for Columbia and existed from 1989-1972. They also recorded and worked together as a horn section for many others including James Taylor and Elton John. What is notable, is that the three of them 'jammed up' the horn arrange,int, or at least the riff at the end, which they were adept at. The flugelhorn solo is played by Randy Brecker, and he specifically told me that they jammed up the parts. The radio 'single" faces out but the album version also features the horns stretching out a little bit. Anyone not familiar with these three - they are among the all-time greats. Barry Rogers (deceased in 1991) is still considered by almost everyone own the music field as being the greatest trombone soloist in history of New York Salsa, and as such is internationally famous. Randy Brecker to this day continues to be among the all-time greatest jazz trumpeters ever, and a winner of multiple Grammys. He is also one of the founding fathers of the fusion genre, with the BRECKER BROTHERS BAND. Michael Brecker (deceased in 2007) went on to become the 'most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane", a winner of at least 15 Grammy awards, and was also notable for his great solos on pop recordings with James Taylor, Paul Simon, and just about everyone you can think of!
  • Cogs from TexasJennifer - Los Angeles, Ca - It evokes a eerie, stale sense of loneliness- at least for me"
    that's what makes me like it, as if it's a distant lonely memory from childhood.

    Marlene - Montreal, Qc - I can never hear this song without being transported back to my backyard, hearing it on the transistor radio, drinking coke, and the smell of coconut suntan oil."
    omg yes! I picture hot summer outside as a child. you know, i think it's the reverb that gives a dreamlike atmosphere.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 7th, 1973, Todd Rundgren performed "Hello It's Me" on the NBC-TV program 'The Midnight Special'...
    Two months earlier on October 6th, 1973 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on December 16th, 1973 it peaked at #5 (for 1 week) and spent 20 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #17 in Canada and on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Track chart...
    Mr. Rundgren will celebrate his 66th birthday come next June 22nd, 2014.
  • Dt from Gulf Breeze, FlGreat song, excellent arrangement. Was especially good to listen to after a breakup, along with cocktail of choice.
  • Bill from Lodi, CaFYI, Stevie Nicks didn't sing back up on the studio version, she was on the live version from "Back To The Bars", along with Hall and Oates, et al.
  • Keith from Philadelphia, PaSo awesome..........
  • Eb from Fl Keys, FlBacking vocals by Stevie Nicks, which she did for so many great fellow artists. I read somewhere, "She was/is not a prima donna, but a bella donna." Anyway, I never tire of this great song. Rundgren's a genus.
  • Bill from Lodi, Ca"Hello It's Me" was one of the first songs Todd wrote in his life, imagine, your first song is your most famous and popular 45 years later.
  • Marlene from Montreal, QcI can never hear this song without being transported back to my backyard, hearing it on the transistor radio, drinking coke, and the smell of coconut suntan oil.
  • Mike from Bakersfield, CaFirst of all, as some have pointed out...Todd did NOT record all the tracks on this tune, nor any of the 4th side of this album. The drummer was not John Siomos on this track, but rather Billy Mundi. Great drumming, by the way!
  • Michael1757 from Campbell, Oh There was a guy I was in the Navy with,that went to high school with Todd,& he said that he,Todd,used to walk around school with a cape,tophat long tail's,& a cane. Is it true? I don't know. It sounded right. We were in the service in "77". So it would have been just prior to that,or a few year's hence.
  • Michael1757 from Campbell, OhHe played every instrument on the whole album,Something/Anything. Hey,throw money.Teehee
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyNazz's version peaked at No. 66; Todd Rundgren also led a group called Upotia, in 1980 they released a record titled "Set Me Free", it peaked at No. 27!!!
  • Captain from Los Angeles, CaIt is ALSO in Sophia Coppola's "Virgin Suicides", when the characters are at the prom. Everyone is smiling, the cool guy walks into the gym, moving in slow motion as this song comes on. ;-)
  • Nicole from Plymouth, MaHello it's me...I've thought about us for a long long time. Probably one of the best lyrics ever written. We have all felt that way before. This song reminds me of a very special guy (my very own Eric Forman) And yes this song does play in the very episode of That 70's Show. Such an awesome show.
  • Rebekah from Seattle, WaI love this song. It invokes many emotions in me and if you listen to it, it could have several messsages in it and it is pretty deep. On the other hand, after reading what the origins are, I am not sure if it is so deep. I think it is what he would have intended to say if the other woman had actually given him a chance. Anyway, I like how it says ,"It's important to me/That you know you are free/Cause I'd never want to make you change for me." I LOVE this song. Being a poet, I like songs that have a deeper lyrical depth and I think this one is pretty deep.
  • Doug from Auburn, GaThe first song to chart in the Billboard Top 100 by a band (Nazz) and chart again later as a cover by a member of the original band. Knowing this won me a prize in a radio station's trivia contest!
  • Randy from Raleigh, NcThis song is covered by Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles on "Under the covers vol.2" Thy do a really nice job on this and 15 other pop tunes.
  • Beryl from New York, NyI loved the song when it was released. I was 15 then. Now the song means something different to me. Something current in my life could be scored with this song.
  • Mitch from New York City, NyI know some of the answers to the comments posted. Barry Rogers did play trombone on this song, and the guitarist was Robbie Kogale from Great Neck, LI. This song, along with "Dust in the Wind" and "You Left Me Sore," were recorded live in the studio on a Sunday late November, 1971. The musicians were contracted by organist, Moogy Klingman, who also wrote the horn charts.

    Also of interest is that at least four of the twelve players are no longer with us. They include drummer John Siomos, trombonist Barry Rogers, horn player Mike Brecker and background singer Vicki Sue Robinson.
  • Zane from Kenosha, WiSong reminds me of the show That 70's Show
  • Debbie from Canton, OhThis song sends me back to countless good memories of yesteryear. Loved the song then, still love it now.
  • Dave from Calgary, AbOne of my favorite songs from the early 70's. Have not seen the Tums ad and hope I never do. Not sure who the musician is but I've always admired the bass playing on this track.
  • Budd from Rutland, VtThis song is a favorite of mine.But I think that it's wrong to be used in a tums ad.It takes out the true meaning from it.
  • Rob from Berkeley, Cagreat and gentle song, and now it sells tums antacid tablets. embarassing Ca-ching Yikes!
  • J from Sticks, NyMy partner's brother allegedly played guitar on the second version of this song when he was a kid (20). He said the horns were playing outside the studio at the doorway. I have no way of proving this, only his word, but he said Todd was bloody brilliant, and swears the VC guitar sitting here in the room was part payment for his session work. Too bad they never include the chatter on the radio. I always get a tickle out of that.
  • Monica from Biloxi, MsAlways loved this song...but never knew much about Todd Rundgren til now. Great song...Great memories!
  • Myra from North Brookfield, MaSimply my favorite song of all time - I never tire of it. There is no romantic association for me. I just love the sound and the emotion that it evokes.
  • Roman from Barrie, Ongreat artist, great lyrics, since he often played most of the instruments in the recording studio, when it came to concerts he once had part of the show's background music on tape which upset some of the fans. I just heard this song in a TUMS commercial on TV.
  • AnonymousRediscovered this song....so great. It was certainly a different time.
  • Time Traveler from Phila, PaThe word is Todd did not write this song. He paid another writer for the lyrics.
  • Vince from Balston Spa, NyOne of the best produced songs ever.
  • Abel from Beavercreek, OhA very nice and easy to listen to song. Hits a lot of areas and means a lot to many people. Smooth.
  • Brian from Paris, Tx"This song shows up on side 4 of the Something/Anything album, a side that has lots of "spontaneous" studio chatter between all the songs (though I use scare quotes because it sounds like very contrived spontaneity to my ears). Thus, this song starts and ends with such chatter, though you never hear that on the radio, presumably because it was edited off the single? Or do the radio stations edit it off?"

    This is what I was talking about.
  • Brian from Paris, TxSome do, some don't.^^^^^^
  • Weavil from Wisconsin Rapids, WiTodd also re-did this Bossa Nova style on 1997's "With A Twist" http://trconnection.com/lyrics/Title.44
    ...'tis a GREAT version.
    He's also 'lounged'it up a bit on many tours since 1989
  • Johnny from Chicago, IlOne of the two or three songs that I would give five stars.
  • Don from State College, PaThe first 3 sides of the Something/Anything? album were entirely peformed by Todd. This song comes from Side 4 which features Todd playing with studio musicians like Mark "Moogy" Klingman (organ), John Siomos (drums), Stu Woods (bass), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Mike Brecker (sax), Barry Rogers (trombone), Robbie Kogale (guitar) and back up singers. Todd plays piano and sings lead. I believe that the 4th side was recorded "live" in the studio -- meaning, no overdubs.
  • Bryant Urban from Seattle/born Trenton,n.j., WaThis song was first an east coast(Philly) hit by Todd's first band Nazz. Over 3 albums he only sang one lead(you are my window). The original is slow, lush vocal arranging, and Todd plays the vibes. If he sounds whiney, well he was probably 17 when he wrote the song. That's the brecker brothers (sax&trumpet) on the live version.I accept that he's strident, and difficult for many to love. Still, if you listen to his entire discography, listen, it's dazzling. He can be called an "artist" a term too often strewn about randomly. I must admit i've always thought "hello it's me" is a weird thing to say on the phone, and i never have.
  • Dave from St Paul, MnThis is one of very few pop songs to feature a trombone solo. I have heard (but cannot verify) that the player was Barry Rogers, a NYC session player who is probably better known to salsa fans, having recorded & performed for many years with Eddie Palmieri and other salsa greats.
  • Michael from San Diego, CaSome real good Saxophone is being played throughout this tune. It adds to the emotion of song in a fascinating way!
  • Brent from Miami, FlOne of my all time favorite songs.....pure genius. TR's son is a shortstop in the Florida Marlin's minor league organization.
  • Michael from San Diego, CaBeautiful song, that I just discovered not too long ago - now I can't get it out of my head!
  • Jennifer from Los Angeles, CaNever much cared for this one- it evokes a errie, stale sense of lonliness- at least for me. A bit on the whiny side too. I wouldn't mind a spoof re-release of this song where it ended abruptly with a phone hanging up after the opening "hello, it's me"
  • Jac from Goshen, KyTodd had his biggest hit with this one and to this day it holds up rather well. It's lyrical depth is beyond most romantic rock songs in that the person singing this to the girl is kind of in a state of denial about his place in the relationship. He tells her how much he's thinking of her, then concludes, "Maybe I shouldn't think of you as mine," like he just realized it while he was singing it. In the 2nd verse he start to tell her more of his true feelings but then realizes, "Sometimes I can't help seeing all the way through." The truth is that she's dumped him and probably moved on with her life, but he's just not quite ready to admit it. Pretty deep stuff for a pop song and to my ears one of Todd's classics.
  • Ryan from Willits, CaIf you liksten closely to the studio chatter (I mean REALLY closely) you can hear someone in the background say "If anyone f*cks up..."
  • Garrett from Nashville, TnThis song probably uses more chords than any other pop hit.
  • Pamela from Brooklyn, NyRerecorded by The Isley Brothers, which became a big hit for them on R&B charts. One of my favorites by this group

    Turner
    Brooklyn, NY
  • Tim from Charlotte, NcTodd Rundgren performed vocals, background vocals, and all the instrumental tracks on "Hello It's Me".
  • Barry from Gagetown Nb CanadaMany childhood memories are refreshed when I hear this song ... notably , skating at the local arena on a Friday evening with my steady (Cheryl)1974

    B
  • Fyodor from Denver, CoThis song shows up on side 4 of the Something/Anything album, a side that has lots of "spontaneous" studio chatter between all the songs (though I use scare quotes because it sounds like very contrived spontaneity to my ears). Thus, this song starts and ends with such chatter, though you never hear that on the radio, presumably because it was edited off the single? Or do the radio stations edit it off?
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