"Hey There" is a show tune from the musical play The Pajama Game, written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. It was published in 1954. It was introduced by John Raitt in the original production. In the show, Sid sings it to a recording device, telling himself that he's foolish to continue his advances to Babe. He plays the tape back, and after responding to his own comments, sings a duet with himself.

"Hey There"
Song by John Raitt
Published1954
Composer(s)Jerry Ross
Lyricist(s)Richard Adler

1954 recordings edit

It was subsequently recorded by a number of artists:

The song (counting all recorded versions) also reached No. 1 on the Cash Box chart in 1954.[4]

Popular culture edit

  • A popular edit of the single is in BBC One's Only Fools and Horses, in the episode "Tea for Three", when Uncle Albert (played by Buster Merryfield) sings the song (replacing "Hey There" with "Ada", the name of his wife) in the talent contest at their local pub, the Nags Head. He later tells Rodney that he won the talent contest, much to his horror.
  • In episode 15 of season 9, The Days of Wine and Neuroses, of the American sitcom Cheers, Frasier Crane (played by Kelsey Grammer) becomes obsessed with a karaoke machine at the titular bar and includes "Hey There" in his repertoire. When asked to stop singing, he objects, "In the middle of my salute to Adler and Ross? I think not!"

Recorded versions edit

References edit

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 36. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  2. ^ https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#h
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 121. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  4. ^ "Cash Box Top Singles 1954". The Cash Box. Retrieved 2022-01-23. September 25 - Hey There - Rosemary Clooney / Sammy Davis, Jr.
  5. ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  6. ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  7. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 451. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.