Hello Again
Released January 1981
Format 7″ single
Recorded 1980
Genre Pop
Length 4:04
Label Capitol
Writer(s) Neil Diamond, Alan Lindgren
Producer(s) Bob Gaudio
“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 #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in the US. Billboard also rated it as the #70 pop single overall for 1981. It performed less well in the UK, reaching only #51. It has been covered by several artists and orchestras, including Celtic Thunder, Donny Osmond and Steve Cherelle.
“Hello Again” was described by Neil Diamond biographer Laura Jackson as a “slow tender ballad.” Allmusic critic Johnny Loftus considers it Diamond’s “signature late-career ballad.” Author T. Mike Childs rated it as a “terrific” ballad. Movie reviewer Joe Peacock described “Hello Again” as being “keenly affecting to the emotions.” On the other hand, author Joshua Piven considers the song “a painfully boring lullaby.” Billboard Magazine critic Vicki Pipkin claims that Diamond’s performance of the song in The Jazz Singer is “poignant.” Pittsburgh Press music editor Carl Apone claimed that Diamond was at his best in The Jazz Singer in the songs “Hello Again” and “Love on the Rocks.”