Hello – English Lyrics

• By: Lionel Richie

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the enduring language of classic 80s R&B romance with Lionel Richie's "Hello." This song is a masterclass in expressing deep, vulnerable longing using clear, poetic English. You can learn how to articulate profound, unexpressed affection and the ache of uncertainty—it's special because its simplicity and heartfelt delivery make its message universally understood across generations.

[English]

I've been alone with you

Inside my mind

And in my dreams

I've kissed your lips

A thousand times

I sometimes see you

Pass outside my door

Hello!

Is it me you're looking for?

I can see it in your eyes

I can see it in your smile

You're all I've ever wanted

And my arms are open wide

'Cause you know just what to say

And you know just what to do

And I want to tell you so much

I love you

I long to see the sunlight in your hair

And tell you time and time again

How much I care

Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow

Hello!

I've just got to let you know

'Cause I wonder where you are

And I wonder what you do

Are you somewhere feeling lonely?

Or is someone loving you?

Tell me how to win your heart

For I haven't got a clue

But let me start by saying

I love you

Solo...

Hello!

Is it me you're looking for?

'Cause I wonder where you are

And I wonder what you do

Are you somewhere feeling lonely?

Or is someone loving you?

Tell me how to win your heart

For I haven't got a clue

But let me start by saying

I love you

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mind /maɪnd/ B1	noun - the element of a person that thinks, feels, and decides verb - to care about or be bothered by something
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of images, thoughts, or emotions occurring during sleep verb - to experience thoughts or images while sleeping
kiss /kɪs/ A1	verb - to touch with the lips as a sign of love or greeting noun - a touch with the lips
lips /lɪps/ A2	noun - the two fleshy parts forming the edge of the mouth
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organs of sight
smile /smaɪl/ A2	noun - a facial expression indicating pleasure or friendliness verb - to form a smile
heart /hɑːt/ A2	noun - the organ that pumps blood; also the centre of emotions
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a deep affection or strong feeling of attachment verb - to feel deep affection for
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - without other people; solitary
lonely /ˈloʊnli/ B1	adjective - sad because one has no friends or company
someone /ˈsʌmwʌn/ A2	noun - an unspecified person
clue /kluː/ B2	noun - a piece of evidence that helps solve a problem
open /ˈoʊpən/ A1	verb - to make something not closed adjective - not closed or blocked
wide /waɪd/ A2	adjective - extending a great distance from side to side
sunlight /ˈsʌnˌlaɪt/ B2	noun - light from the sun
hair /her/ A1	noun - the thin strands growing from the skin, especially on the head
arm /ɑːrm/ A1	noun - the upper limb of the human body from shoulder to hand verb - to supply weapons
overflow /ˌoʊvərˈfloʊ/ C1	verb - to spill over the limits of a container or to be too much noun - the act or state of overflowing
wonder /ˈwʌndər/ B2	verb - to be curious about something; to doubt noun - a feeling of curiosity or amazement
long /lɔːŋ/ B1	adjective - measuring a great distance in space or time verb - to yearn for or desire strongly

Key Grammar Structures

• I've been alone with you Inside my mind

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous (I've been)

  ➔ The "Present Perfect Continuous" emphasizes the duration of the state of being alone with the person, existing until the present moment. It highlights the continuous nature of the feeling or experience. "I've been" is the contracted form of "I have been".

• I've kissed your lips A thousand times

  ➔ Present Perfect Simple (I've kissed)

  ➔ The "Present Perfect Simple" emphasizes that the action of kissing has happened at some point in the past, without specifying when. It indicates a repeated action (a thousand times) that has relevance to the present. "I've" is a contraction of "I have".

• Is it me you're looking for?

  ➔ Present Continuous in a Question

  ➔ This uses the "Present Continuous" in interrogative form to ask if the person is currently in the process of looking for the speaker. The structure is: "Is" (auxiliary verb) + "it" + "me" (object/subject complement) + "you" (subject) + "are looking" (verb - Present Continuous) + "for" (preposition)?

• You're all I've ever wanted

  ➔ Superlative with Present Perfect (all I've ever wanted)

  ➔ This sentence combines a superlative idea (all) with the "Present Perfect" to express that the person is the ultimate desire, surpassing all other desires the speaker has had throughout their life. "I've" is a contraction of "I have". The phrase "all I've ever wanted" acts as a noun clause, the object of the verb "are" (You are).

• Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow

  ➔ Future Tense using 'will' after a verb of feeling

  ➔ The sentence expresses a prediction or possibility about the future, specifically tied to the emotional state. "Will overflow" indicates a strong likelihood based on the feeling of the speaker. The verb "feel" is followed by a noun clause "my heart will overflow".

• For I haven't got a clue

  ➔ Present Perfect Negative with 'got'

  ➔ This line uses the "Present Perfect Negative" with 'got' to express that the speaker hasn't had any idea or understanding about how to win the other person's heart up until now. "Haven't got" is a common way to express 'don't have' (lack of possession or knowledge) in British English. 'Clue' means an idea or piece of information that helps to solve a problem.

• But let me start by saying I love you

  ➔ Imperative + Gerund (start by saying)

  ➔ This uses an "Imperative" (let me start) followed by a gerund phrase (by saying I love you). The "Imperative" gives a command or suggestion, and the gerund phrase describes *how* to carry out that command/suggestion. "Let me start" is a polite way of asking for permission to begin something.