"Hello, How Are You" is a 1968 song and single by Australian rock group

the Easybeats The Easybeats were an Australian rock band that formed in Sydney in late 1964. They enjoyed a level of success that in Australia rivalled The Beatles. They became the first Australian rock act to score an international hit, with the 1966 sing ...

, which was written by band members George Young and Harry Vanda.

Background

The choice to release "Hello, How Are You" was that of the band's manager Mike Vaughan. The melodramatic ballad was different from anything the group had previously released (being more known for their

power pop Power pop (also typeset as powerpop) is a form of pop rock based on the early music of bands such as the Who, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Byrds. It typically incorporates melodic hooks, vocal harmonies, an energetic performance, and c ...

songs). Recording first took place at Pye Studios in London. The first version of the song was arranged by Bill Shepard (known for his work with

The Bee Gees ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

). This version was more of a psychedelic pop song and was ultimately rejected (it was later released on the reissue of ''

The Best of The Easybeats Volume 2 ''The Best of The Easybeats Volume 2'' is the second compilation album by the Australian rock group The Easybeats. The album was first released on October 9, 1969 by the group's Australian label Albert Productions. The compilation album was rel ...

'' compilation). For the released version, the band turned to arranger

Alan Tew Alan Tew is a British composer and arranger. He got his start in the 1950s as the pianist and arranger for the Len Turner Band based in London. Tew is known as a composer of library music, including the theme tunes for British television pr ...

for orchestration. Although the song did make the Top 20 in the UK, in retrospective interviews the band regretted the impact the song had on their career. In a 1976 interview for ''

Rolling Stone Australia ''Rolling Stone'' Australia is the Australian edition of the United States' ''Rolling Stone'' magazine devoted to music, politics, and popular culture, published monthly. The Australian version of ''Rolling Stone'' was initially published in 197 ...

'', band member George Young reflected: "The people in the industry dug it and it skidded in and out of the Top 20. But it was a classic mistake from our point of view. We were a rock 'n' roll band and what was a rock band doing with this cornball, schmaltz shit? We shouldn't have done it". The single reached #20 in the U.K. and #26 in their home country of Australia.

Track listing

Australian and UK releases #"Hello, How Are You" (

Harry Vanda Johannes Hendrikus Jacob van den Berg (born 22 March 1946), better known as his stage name Harry Vanda, is a Dutch Australian musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as lead guitarist of the 1960s Australian rock band the Ea ...

, George Young) #" Falling Off the Edge of the World" (

, George Young) US release #"Hello, How Are You" (

, George Young) #"Come In You'll Get Pneumonia" (

, George Young)

Charts

Trivia

The song appeared in a Dutch radio and tv commercial in the late seventies. The campaign promoted the Peek & Kloppenburg fashion brand.

References

{{authority control 1968 singles The Easybeats songs Parlophone singles Songs written by George Young (rock musician) 1968 songs Songs written by Harry Vanda