About The Song
“Hello Again” is a song written by Neil Diamond and Alan Lindgren that appeared in the 1980 movie, The Jazz Singer, and was performed by Diamond on the soundtrack album to the film. It was also released as a single and reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. Billboard also ranked as the 70th top pop single for 1981. In the UK, the song peaked at No. 51. The song also peaked at No. 18 in Ireland.
“Hello Again” was described by Neil Diamond biographer Laura Jackson as a “slow tender ballad.” AllMusic critic Johnny Loftus considers it Diamond’s “signature late-career ballad.” Author T. Mike Childs rated it as a “terrific” ballad. Film reviewer Joe Peacock described “Hello Again” as being “keenly affecting to the emotions.”
Billboard critic Vicki Pipkin wrote that Diamond’s performance of the song in The Jazz Singer is “poignant.” Record World said that “Diamond’s deep tenor resonates to maximum dramatic intensity, with a monumental string/piano arrangement backdrop.” Pittsburgh Press music editor Carl Apone said that Diamond was at his best in The Jazz Singer in the songs “Hello Again” and “Love on the Rocks.”
Video
Lyrics
Hello, again, hello
Just called to say hello
I couldn’t sleep at all tonight
And I know it’s late
I couldn’t wait
Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
When I’m here alone
And you’re there at home
Hello
Maybe it’s been crazy
And maybe I’m to blame
But I put my heart above my head
We’ve been through it all and you love me just the same
And when your not there
I just need to hear
Hello, my friend, hello
It’s good to need you so
It’s good to love you like I do
And I feel this way when I hear you say
Hello
Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
And I know it’s late but I could’t wait
Hello