Great American Songbook
Hello, Dolly! — Louis Armstrong / Hello, Dolly! the Musical (1964)
Some songs never really leave us.
Even after the curtain falls.
For this week’s Song Lyric Sunday, celebrating the Great American Songbook, I chose Hello, Dolly!
Many people immediately think of Louis Armstrong’s unforgettable recording, but for me, the song brings back memories of something much more personal.
Choir rehearsals.
Musicals.
Standing together with voices blending into harmony.
Hello, Dolly! was always one of my favourite songs to sing. It has such wonderful energy, warmth, and joy that it was impossible not to smile while performing it.
Music has a remarkable way of preserving memories.
Long after the applause has faded, we can still remember the excitement before a performance, the friendships formed backstage, and the feeling of becoming part of something bigger than ourselves.
The song was written by the legendary composer and lyricist Jerry Herman for the Broadway musical Hello, Dolly!, which premiered in 1964.
Later that same year, Louis Armstrong recorded the song, and his version became a worldwide sensation. It reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, famously knocking The Beatles from the top of the charts during the height of Beatlemania. At 62 years old, Armstrong also became the oldest artist to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 at that time.
Although Hello, Dolly! is full of humour and optimism, I think its lasting appeal comes from something much deeper.
It celebrates new beginnings.
The joy of reconnecting.
The excitement of stepping back into life after time away.
Perhaps that is why it has remained a beloved classic for generations.
Whenever I hear it now, I am transported back to my choir days.
I can almost hear everyone singing together again.
Some memories are kept in photographs.
Others live forever in music.
And I feel incredibly grateful that this song still brings back those happy moments every time I hear it.
Hello, Dolly,Well, hello, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're lookin' swell,
Dolly
I can tell,
Dolly
You're still glowin',
you're still crowin'
You're still goin'
strong
We feel the room swayin'
While the band's playin'One of your old favourite songs from way back when
So, take her wrap, fellas
Find her an empty lap, fellas
Dolly'll never go away again
Hello, Dolly,
Well, hello, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're lookin' swell,
Dolly
I can tell, Dolly
You're still glowin',
you're still crowin'
You're still goin'
strong
We feel the room swayin'
While the band's playin'One of your old favourite songs from way back when
Golly,
gee,
fellas
Find her a vacant knee, fellas
Dolly'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away again
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jerry Herman
With love, coffee, poetry, and stardust,
— Maggie The Afterlove Voice 💫
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