Hello Again (Neil Diamond 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.^[1][2] Billboard also ranked as the 70th top pop single for 1981.^[3] In the UK, the song peaked at No. 51.^[4] The song also peaked at No. 18 in Ireland.^[5]

"Hello Again"
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album The Jazz Singer soundtrack
B-side	"Amazed and Confused"
Released	January 1981
Recorded	1980
Genre	Pop
Length	3:35 (single version), 4:04 (album version)
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Neil Diamond Alan Lindgren
Producer(s)	Bob Gaudio
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"Love on the Rocks" (1980) "Hello Again" (1981) "America" (1981)

Background

"Hello Again" was described by Neil Diamond biographer Laura Jackson as a "slow tender ballad."^[2] AllMusic critic Johnny Loftus considers it Diamond's "signature late-career ballad."^[6] Author T. Mike Childs rated it as a "terrific" ballad.^[7] Film reviewer Joe Peacock described "Hello Again" as being "keenly affecting to the emotions."^[8]

Billboard critic Vicki Pipkin wrote that Diamond's performance of the song in The Jazz Singer is "poignant."^[9] Record World said that "Diamond's deep tenor resonates to maximum dramatic intensity, with a monumental string/piano arrangement backdrop."^[10] 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."^[11]

Other uses

The song was used in the film, Saving Silverman. It has been covered by several artists and orchestras, including Celtic Thunder, Donny Osmond, Regine Velasquez and Steve Cherelle.^[12]

Charts

Year-end chart (1981)	Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[13]	70

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[14]	Silver	200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "The Jazz Singer Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
2. Jackson, L. (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. pp. 164, 171. ISBN 9781550227079.
3. "Pop Singles". Billboard. December 26, 1980. p. YE-9. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
4. "Neil Diamond". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
5. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
6. Loftus, J. "The Jazz Singer". AllMusic. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
7. Childs, T.M. (2004). The Rocklopedia Fakebandica. Macmillan. p. 121. ISBN 9780312329440.
8. Peacock, J. (December 24, 1980). "'The Jazz Singer Is Bad; 'Seasons' Simply Stupid". The Argus-Press. p. 29. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
9. Pipkin, V. (December 20, 1980). "No Jazz Heard in 'Jazz Singer' Film". Billboard. p. 20. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
10. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. January 31, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
11. Apone, C. (December 19, 1980). "Neil Diamond's Music Is Highlight of Updated 'Jazz Singer'". Pittsburgh Press. p. 18. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
12. ^{[permanent dead link‍]}
13. "Number One Awards – Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 51. December 26, 1981. p. YE-9. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
14. "British single certifications – Neil Diamond – Hello Again". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 14, 2023.