Hello: Tell Him Single (1974)

glamslam72
Sep 29, 1974
5 min read

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

A Glam-Pop Smash

Hello’s “Tell Him” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on August 30, 1974 on Bell Records (catalogue: BELL 1377). Written by B. Russell, this infectious glam-pop anthem about unrequited schoolboy love was the band’s breakthrough hit, entering the UK Singles Chart on November 3 - 9, 1974, at No. 43. It climbed to a peak of No. 6 and spent 12 weeks on the chart. The single propelled Hello from pub rock obscurity to Top of the Pops stardom.

Band Overview

The core members of Hello initially came together around 1969 under the name The Age. The band was formed by Bob Bradbury, formerly of The Flashback Berries, along with Keith Marshall, Vic Faulkner, and Jeff Allen (the brother of Chris Allen, also known as Chris Cross of Ultravox). For approximately a year, they supported singer Caroline Hall before changing their name to Hello in 1971. In 1972, the group recorded "You Move Me" and "C'mon," followed by "Another School Day" in 1973, all with Bell Records, but these songs did not become hits.

"Tell Him," originally titled "Tell Her," is a song from 1962 written and composed by Bert Berns, who used the pseudonym Bert Russell.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Tell Him” (3:06, B. Russell)

A bouncy glam-pop stomper with Jeff Allen’s youthful vocals, handclaps, and a catchy “Tell him, tell him” chorus. Produced by Mike Leander.

B-Side: “Lightning” (2:54, Allen, Bradbury, Marshall). Produced by Mike Leander.

Chart Performance:

UK AUS GER IRE

6 36 32 12

UK Release Details:

Label: Bell Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Formats:

7-Inch Vinyl (BELL 1377): “Tell Him” / “Lightning.” In a Bell company sleeve.

No cassette or CD formats in 1974.

HELLO: Tell Him (Bell). "Well lif I hadn't looked at the label, I could have sworn blind that this was the Glitter Band maybe G. G. and the Glitter Band. But no, It's Hello leaping about with this old Billie Davis song. Produced by Mike Leander rumour has it that he's linked with the Glitter Band and and it doesn't half come through! The record should stand a fair chance for chart success, but it's a pity the bands sound so similar."

Record Mirror (Sept 7, 1974)

"It began with their record producer, Mike Leander, suggesting the band re-released a previous Billie Davis hit. "Tell Him". But the single took nine weeks to reach the top fifty. Drummer Jeff Allen puts it down to the limited press coverage even though the record's air plays came fast and furiously. "Il always takes a long time," he says knowingly, but I'm sure it'll be a lot easier with our next release."

Record Mirror (Nov 30, 1974)

UK Variations:

Single 7" Vinyl Promotional (housed in a special Bell company label)

Label: Bell Records – BELL 1377

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo

A Tell Him

B Lightning

Record Company – Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

Produced For – David Blaylock Productions

Published By – Robert Mellin Ltd.

Published By – Your Music Ltd.

Pressed By – EMI Records

Producer – Mike Leander

Demo Record Not For Sale

℗ 1974

Made in Great Britain.

Trademark of Columbia Pictures Industries Inc.

Bell Records Division.

Produced for Blaylock Prodns.

A: Robert Mellin Ltd.

B: Your Mus. Ltd.

Matrix / Runout (A-side label): BELL 1377A 45

Matrix / Runout (B-side label): BELL 1377B 45

Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, stamped): BELL 1377 A-1U

Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, stamped): BELL 1377 B-1U

Single 7" Vinyl Commercial Four Prong Centre

Label: Bell Records – BELL 1377

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single

A Tell Him

B Lightning

Published By – Robert Mellin Ltd.

Published By – Your Music Ltd.

Produced For – Blaylock Productions

Pressed By – EMI Records

Producer – Mike Leander

[Side A] Robert Mellin Ltd.

[Side B] Your Mus. Ltd.

Produced by Mike Leander for Blaylock Prodns.

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): BELL 1377 A-1U AP 2

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BELL 1377 B-1U AT 1

Single 7" Vinyl Commercial Solid Centre

Label: Bell Records – BELL 1377

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Solid Centre

A Tell Him

B Lightning

Published By – Robert Mellin Ltd.

Published By – Your Music Ltd.

Produced For – Blaylock Productions

Pressed By – EMI Records

Producer – Mike Leander

[Side A] Robert Mellin Ltd.

[Side B] Your Mus. Ltd.

Produced by Mike Leander for Blaylock Prodns.

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): BELL 1377 A-1U AA 1

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): BELL 1377 B-1U AP 2

Single 7" Vinyl Commercial Four Prong Centre

(The two catalogue numbers s are printed in different fonts, Side A label is from Tell Him & Side B label from Tell Him.)

Label: Bell Records – BELL1377, Bell Records – BELL 1377

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single

A Tell Him

B Lightning

Record Company – Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

Produced For – Blaylock Productions

Published By – Robert Mellin Ltd.

Published By – Your Music Ltd.

Pressed By – EMI Records

Producer – Mike Leander

℗ 1974

Made in Great Britain.

Trademark of Columbia Pictures Industries Inc.

Bell Records Division.

Produced for Blaylock Prodns.

A: Robert Mellin Ltd.

B: Your Mus. Ltd.

Cat# on A-side label, BELL1377.

Cat# on B-side label, BELL 1377.

Matrix / Runout (A-side label): BELL 1377A

Matrix / Runout (B-side label): BELL 1377B

Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, stamped): BELL 1377 A-1U

Single 7" Vinyl Commercial Four Prong Centre

(This version has different font printed on the labels to this version: Tell Him)

Label: Bell Records – BELL1377

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single

A Tell Him

B Lightning

Record Company – Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

Produced For – Blaylock Productions

Published By – Robert Mellin Ltd.

Published By – Your Music Ltd.

Pressed By – EMI Records

Producer – Mike Leander

℗ 1974

Made in Great Britain.

Trademark of Columbia Pictures Industries Inc.

Bell Records Division.

Produced for Blaylock Prodns.

A: Robert Mellin Ltd.

B: Your Mus. Ltd.

Matrix / Runout (A-side label): BELL 1377A

Matrix / Runout (B-side label): BELL 1377B

Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, stamped): BELL 1377 A-1U

Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, stamped): BELL 1377 B-1U

The single was released in all the countries listed below (most in a picture sleeve; * denotes no picture sleeve).

Country Variations

Germany - Bell - 1974

Australia - Bell - 1974*

Belgium - Bell - 1974

France - Bell - 1974

Ireland - Bell - 1974*

Italy - Bell - 1974

Netherlands - Bell - 1974

New Zealand - Bell - 1974*

Spain - Bell - 1974

Yugoslavia - Bell - 1974

Argentina - Bell - 1975*

Netherlands - Bell - 1976

Japan - Arista - 1977

Production and Context

Recorded at Nova Sound Studios, London, 1974. Produced by Mike Leander, “Tell Him” was a Chinnichap creation, originally offered to Mud, but Hello’s youthful energy won out. Released amid the glam rock boom, it followed their three unsuccesful releases “You Move Me” (1972), "C'mon" (1972) and "Another School Day" (1973).