Hello, I Love You

Infobox Single
Name = Hello, I Love You


Artist = The Doors
from Album = Waiting for the Sun
B-side = Love Street
Released = June 1968
Format =
Recorded = February–May 1968
Genre = Psychedelic rock
Length = 2:22
Label = Elektra
Writer = Jim Morrison
Robby Krieger
Ray Manzarek
John Densmore
Producer = Paul Rothchild
Certification =
Chart position = * #1 (U.S. Hot 100)
* #15 (U.K. Singles)
Last single = "The Unknown Soldier"
(1968)
This single = "Hello, I Love You"
(1968)
Next single = "Touch Me"
(1968)

"Hello, I Love You" is a song by The Doors from their 1968 album "Waiting for the Sun". It was released as a single that same year, reaching #1 in the United States, and selling over a million copies in the U.S. alone. This song (along with the album to a lesser extent) were considered more commercial and radio-friendly than the Doors' previous efforts, leading manywho to believe that the band had sold out. A demo for the song was recorded in 1965, and can be found on the "Essential Rarities" album.

Allegations of plagiarism

In the liner notes to The Doors Box set, Robbie Krieger has denied the allegations that the song's musical structure was stolen from Ray Davies, where a riff similar to it is featured in the song "All Day and All of the Night". Instead, he said the song's vibe was taken from Cream's song "Sunshine of Your Love". Krieger's involvement in the song's writing process is debatable, much due to the fact the song was first recorded in mid-1965, prior to Krieger joining the band.

Real life influences

The last verse was written by Jim Morrison, three years prior to the album recordings, while he was observing an attractive African-American woman at Venice Beach.

"Sidewalk crouches at her feet,
like a dog that begs for something sweet,
do you hope to make her see you, fool,
do you hope to pluck this dusky jewel"

Cover versions

The song has been covered by Alex Naumik, Buddy Rich, Missing Persons, The Cure (on the compilation "Rubáiyát", 1990), Eurythmics, Simple Minds, Anal Cunt, Adam Ant, Adam Freeland, Program the Dead, and Siouxsie Sioux.