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THE â€˜HELLOâ€™ SONG: WHO SANG IT BEST?

By Macford Sibandze | 2019-08-14

“I have been alone with you inside my mind

And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips

a thousand times.

I sometimes see you pass outside my door

Hello, is it me you looking for

I can see it in your eyes

I can see it in your smile

You’re all I ever wanted

I love you…….”

Let me just pause here before tears of joy and sadness start streaming down your cheeks; in your well done mascara. For those of us who have seen better days; there’s a wave of nostalgia and de-javu that fiercely sweep across memory lanes when we hear such lyrics. To the new generation; The Cornflakes Generation; the ‘HELLO’ song above may not have meaning. This is the brilliant work of art by US artist Lionel Richie; An A-List MOTOWN star during the golden days of Marvin Gaye, O’Jays, Commodores, Temptations, etc.

POP Star Lionel Brockman, known as Lionel Richie was the Music King of the 80’s; He ruled, commanded, decreed; winning every award of his era (still winning) and performing in high profile events for high profile dignitaries all over the world. I was shocked when I was in America a few years ago to find him still performing; collaborating with new artists. Today, aged 70, is a Judge of the American Idol.

LIONEL RICHIE’S “HELLO”

Lionel Richie’s “HELLO” which won the Grammy Award; The highest Music Honour; for Song of the year; was part of his top selling album of all times entitled “Can’t slow down’ which he co-produced in 1983. In a career spanning more than 50 years he has been awarded with 15 Top US awards and more than 100 other honours.

He is remembered with songs like; SAY YOU, SAY ME, PENNY LOVER, STUCK ON YOU, DANCING ON THE CEILING, ALL NIGHT LONG, RUNNING WITH THE NIGHT, WE ARE THE WORLD (Co-written with Michael Jackson) He also collaborated ENDLESS LOVE with Diana Ross.

ADELE: THE QUEEN OF VOICE

British superstar; Laurie Blue Adkins known as Adele, 38, has a record that beats all records; nominated nine times; with US Glam Girl; Beyonce in some categories; and winning all 9. She also has a record of winning more awards in a foreign land; all her offerings sweeping the boards in the US.

She also holds the record of a Foreign Female Grammy Awardee. And not forgetting being awarded Platnum eight times in the UK and three times in the US. In a career spanning a mere 10 years she has won more than 100 top awards at home and abroad. Her singles have also dominated top charts in the world.

ADELE’S “HELLO”

Hello, it’s me

I was wondering if all these years would like to meet

To go to over everything

They say that time’s supposed to heal ya

But aint done much healing

Hello, can you hear me

I’m in California dreaming about how it used to be

When we were younger and free

I’ve forgotten how it felt before the world fell on our feet

The above lyrics ring a huge bell to the young and young at heart music enthusiastic as a breath taking and exceptional piece of music. At just 19, Adele kept the imagination of the world with a powerful, melodious and bell-like voice.

Not long after the release of the first album which had the “HELLO” song she registered her name as an after sought global icon with stars like Beyonce ‘begging’ to collaborate with her. She is a marvel in her music genre providing a powerful rendition and repertoire that is a mixture of POP and RnB named ‘Blue-eyed Soul’ Music.

BEYONCE: US GLAM GIRL

Giselle Knowles known as Beyonce, 37, is a top global music brand that has dominated charts for close to 30 years now.

In Destiny’s Child; a teenage all girl group; at just eight; Beyonce had star quality; beautiful face, a body and a powerful voice to back her. (I now sound like a South African Idol Judge-Somganga)

Destiny’s Child released songs like BILLS, BILLS, BILLS and SURVIVOR, SAY MY NAME, etc. The music band had other names like Kelly Rowland and Michelle William but Beyonce shone like a diamond. In a series of interviews the two band members all agree that’,’ there were us then there was Beyonce.’ Meaning she was head and shoulders above them. Destiny’s Child has sold more than 60 million copies world-wide.

BEYONCE’S “HALO”

Remember those wall I built?

Well, baby they’re tumbling down

And they didn’t even put up a fight

They didn’t even make a sound

I found a way to let you in

But, I never really had a doubt

Standing in the light of your halo

I got my angel now

BEYONCE: THE SONGSTRESS

That’s Beyonce the songstress. Wow! Wow! And Wow! My twin girls can relate to this blockbuster song than me but as someone who loves a good thing (when I see one) I listen to ‘young music.’ Rihanna, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Taylor Smith, Adele....etc…I dig them and I am listening to them as I write this article. When Beyonce was asked to name her best song ever….without scratching her head she said,’ HALO.’

And this comes from someone who has released hits after hits as a solo artist such as DRUNK IN LOVE, CRAZY IN LOVE, SINGLE LADIES, IF I WERE A BOY, DIVA, NAUGHTY GIRL, I WAS HERE, EGO, DE JAVU, AVE MARIA….etc

AWARDS

She is not just a trendsetter but a record holder of note having won the MTV Video Music Awards 26 times.

She is the most awarded artist in award history. It’s a record! She is also the most awarded BET and TRAIN awards of all times. It’s a record again. She is the most nominated woman musician. Another record! She has 22 Grammy Awards only second to Alison Kraus in the female awardees.

AND THE WINNER OF THE ‘HELLO’ SONG IS...

I’m just a just a simple writer not a judge. In fact, the most horrific thing will be comparing the incomparable. The three: Lionel Richie, Adele and Beyonce; are giants in their own rights; who have made footprints in the sands of time and no need comparing!

And the ‘winner’ in case there is one, will obviously be, because of; era (time), genre, style, taste and many more. But if I wanted to invite the wrath of the public I would say; ‘And the winner is……………………………..the reader of this column!!!’

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