🔘 Tell Him – Single: Aug. 1974

A bright, bouncy burst of glam‑pop energy, “Tell Him” delivered Hello their breakthrough moment with a stomping beat, youthful vocals, and an irresistible sing‑along hook.

Released on August 30, 1974, “Tell Him” marked Hello’s first major chart success after several years of near misses on Bell Records. Written by Bert Berns (under the pseudonym Bert Russell), the song was originally titled “Tell Her” and first recorded in 1962, but Hello’s glam‑pop reinvention transformed it into a fresh mid‑’70s hit. Backed with the original composition “Lightning,” the single showcased the band’s tight harmonies, handclaps, and Mike Leander’s polished, Glitter Band‑adjacent production style. Entering the UK Singles Chart in early November 1974, the single climbed steadily to a peak of No. 6 and remained on the chart for twelve weeks. Its success propelled Hello from pub‑rock obscurity to national visibility, earning them television appearances and establishing them as one of Bell Records’ most promising glam‑pop acts.

Label: Bell Records

Catalogue Number: BELL 1377

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Solid Centre)

Released: August 30, 1974 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — Bell Records – BELL 1377 — 1974

A. Tell Him — 3:06

B. Lightning — 2:54

Written by: Bert Russell (A) / Allen, Bradbury, Marshall (B)

Produced by: Mike Leander

Recorded: 1974

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released August 30, 1974

• A-side: Glam‑pop remake of Bert Berns’ 1962 composition

• B-side: “Lightning” — original Hello track

• Chart debut: November 1974

• Performed on: *Top of the Pops* and UK pop‑TV rotation

• Recorded at: 1974 sessions produced by Mike Leander

🔘 The Story

Hello’s rise began several years before “Tell Him” hit the charts. The group first formed around 1969 under the name The Age, built around Bob Bradbury, Keith Marshall, Vic Faulkner, and Jeff Allen. After a year supporting singer Caroline Hall, they rebranded as Hello in 1971 and signed with Bell Records. Early singles such as “You Move Me,” “C’mon,” and “Another School Day” failed to chart, but they helped refine the band’s sound and stage identity.

“Tell Him” became the turning point. Producer Mike Leander suggested revisiting the 1962 Bert Berns song, and the band’s glam‑pop reinterpretation gave it new life. Jeff Allen’s youthful vocals, the stomping rhythm, and the catchy “tell him, tell him” refrain aligned perfectly with the mid‑’70s glam aesthetic. Contemporary reviews noted the similarity to the Glitter Band’s sound — unsurprising given Leander’s production ties — but also recognised the single’s strong commercial potential.

The B‑side, “Lightning,” written by members of the band, offered a more guitar‑driven contrast and demonstrated Hello’s ability to craft original material alongside their high‑energy covers.

Commercially, the single was a slow burner. It took nine weeks to break into the Top 50, but once it did, it climbed steadily, eventually reaching No. 6. The twelve‑week chart run established Hello as a rising glam‑pop act and opened the door to national exposure, including *Top of the Pops* appearances and increased press coverage. Band members later attributed the slow initial climb to limited early media attention, but the single’s momentum ultimately proved unstoppable.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single — Bell – BELL 1377 — UK — 1974

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo — Bell – BELL 1377 — UK — 1974

• Issued in standard Bell Records company sleeve

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

43 — November 9, 1974

34 — November 16, 1974

24 — November 23, 1974

17 — November 30, 1974

12 — December 7, 1974

9 — December 14, 1974

6 — December 21, 1974

7 — December 28, 1974

10 — January 4, 1975

18 — January 11, 1975

29 — January 18, 1975

44 — January 25, 1975

Total Weeks: 12

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: Glam‑pop remake of Bert Berns’ 1962 hit “Tell Her”

• B-side: “Lightning” — original Hello composition

• Production: Mike Leander

• Sleeve notes: Standard Bell Records company sleeve

• Historical placement: Hello’s breakthrough hit, leading to national exposure

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Included on various glam‑pop anthologies

🔘 Related Material

• “Another School Day” (1973)

• “New York Groove” (1975)

• “Star Studded Sham” (1976)

• *Keeps Us Off the Streets* (1976)

🔘 Discography

Another School Day — 1973

Tell Him — 1974

New York Groove — 1975

Star Studded Sham — 1976

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1974 — Recorded and produced by Mike Leander

✦ Aug 30, 1974 — UK single released

✦ Nov 9, 1974 — Enters UK Singles Chart at No. 43

✦ Dec 21, 1974 — Peaks at No. 6

✦ Jan 25, 1975 — Completes 12‑week chart run

🔘 Glam Flashback

A sparkling glam‑pop makeover of a ’60s classic — stomping, youthful, and tailor‑made for the glitter‑soaked world of mid‑’70s pop TV.

#ReleaseChronicle #Hello #TellHim #1974 #BellRecords #GlamPop

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: Bell Records, Discogs, Official Charts Company, contemporary music‑press documentation, archival references.

🔘 Copyright Notice

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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