Hello Walls
| "Hello Walls" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Faron Young | ||||
| from the album Hello Walls | ||||
| B-side | "Congratulations" | |||
| Released | March 1961 (U.S.) | |||
| Recorded | January 7, 1961 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 2:26 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Willie Nelson | |||
| Producer(s) | Ken Nelson Marvin Hughes | |||
| Faron Young singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Hello Walls" is an American country music song written by Willie Nelson and first recorded by Faron Young. It became a massive hit in 1961, reaching #1 country and spent 23 weeks on the chart.[1] On other charts, it peaked at #12 pop, and was Young's only top 40 pop hit in the United States. Young's version featured Floyd “Lightnin’” Chance on double bass.[2]
“Hello Walls” introduced Nelson to a national audience.[3] In 1996, Nelson recorded a rock version of the song with the band The Reverend Horton Heat for the album Twisted Willie.[4]
Content
The lyrics portray a man's lonely conversation with his walls, window and ceiling after having been jilted by his lover.
Chart performance
| Chart (1961) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot C&W Sides | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 12 |
| U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 13 |
| Australian Kent Music Report | 69 |
Other recordings
- Ralph Emery had an answer song called "Hello Fool" in 1961, which peaked at #4 on the Country Charts. That song was Emery's only hit as a singer.
- Willie Nelson recorded it for his 1962 debut album And Then I Wrote.
- Johnny Tillotson recorded it on his 1962 album It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin'.
- Johnny Burnette recorded it on his 1962 album Johnny Burnette's Hits and Other Favorites
- Esther Phillips recorded it for Atlantic Records in 1964.[5]
- Bing Crosby recorded it for his 1965 album Bing Crosby Sings the Great Country Hits.
- Ricky Nelson recorded it for his 1966 album Bright Lights and Country Music.
- Brook Benton recorded it for his 1966 album My Country.[6]
- The Reverend Horton Heat recorded it for the 1996 tribute album Twisted Willie.
- Sheb Wooley, in his "Ben Colder" persona, recorded a parody about a drunk talking to the wall.
- David Kersh recorded the song for his 1998 album if I never stopped loving you
In popular culture
- Willie Nelson's version made an appearance on NBC's Parks and Recreation when character Ron Swanson was shown to be listening to the song instead of listening to his subordinates' workplace complaints.
- "Hello Walls" makes a brief appearance in the Dale Earnhardt biopic, "3."
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 405.
- ^ "Session Legend Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance Dies at Age 79".
- ^ Malone, Bill, "Classic Country Music: A Smithsonian Collection" ((booklet included with Classic Country Music: A Smithsonian Collection 4-disc set). Smithsonian Institution, 1990), p.57.
- ^ Hochman, Steve (January 27, 1996). "ALBUM REVIEWS / POP : 'Twisted Willie' Gives Nelson Grunge Honors Treatment". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- ^ Atlantic Records discography
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
External links
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