In an effort to provide balance and remain true to our slogan of eclectic tastes and styles, I will be providing 'Steve's Retro Song of the Week.' Because in order to truly understand the present we must familiarize ourselves with the past, 'Steve's Retro Song of the Week,' combined with the more contemporary oriented 'Ted's Song of the Week' will allow for a true variety in the musicology we present to our readers everyday.
This week's Retro Song of the Week is Todd Rundgren's 'Hello It's Me." One of Rundgren's best known hits, 'Hello It's Me' first garnered mass appeal on his double-disced rock masterpiece, Something/Anything?. Although the song first appeared on the debut record of Rundgren's former band, Nazz, 'Hello It's Me' didn't become a hit until several years later, and even after it appeared on Something/Anything? its success was by no means instant. In fact, it took nearly a year after that album's release before 'Hello It's Me' became canonized as one of rock and roll's greatest hits.
Many critics, upon the release of this particular single, pigeon-holed the tune as nothing more than a male version of a song off of Carole King's Tapestry. And while the song is piano heavy and laden with deep emotion, Rundgren incorporates more jazz and more brass than King, solidifying his own identity in the rock world. Additionally, true to Rundgren's form, this song is by no means indicative of the other songs contained on Something/Anything? nor of other songs he has created during the course of his career. Keep in mind, Rundgren's diverse tastes and abilities have allowed him to produce not only 'Hello It's Me,' but 'Can We Still Be Friends' and the goofy 'Bang the Drum All Day' as well. Also, some FYI for you: Vickie Sue Robinson, who provides backup vocals on 'Hello It's Me', later sang 1976's disco classic 'Turn the Beat Around.'
Other songs of note on Something/Anything? include: 'Couldn't I Just Tell You,' 'It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference,' & 'I Saw the Light.'
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LYRICS:
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
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