Bill Withers... always his own man... See documentary from around 2007 called STILL BILL... Netflix has it. His reflections on fame, on being from a 'different' South (coal country, Slab Fork, W. Va.), and on growing up un-cool (a stutterer, and asthmatic), and seeing him as a father, all make it a terrific film. Not to mention the music.
he is so awesome and humble not playing that fame game..I respect this man soooo much every song he played he wrote while working on airplane toilets installing cameras in the bathrooms haha in all kind of major aircarft a lot of Boeing and Lockheed aircaft he coulda cared less about what people thought of him what a great guy Just hitting 70.... maybe he and his daughter will record some come on Bill you stil got it !!!!!pray he does write again !!!!!!
he is so awesome and humble not playing that fame game..I respect this man soooo much every song he played he wrote while workingon airplane tolets installing cameramas in alot of boeing and lockheed aircaft he coulda cared less about what people thought of him what a great guy jsut hitting 70 maybe he and his daughter will record some !!!!!!!!! pray he does write again !!!!!!
I love this song and Bill Withers lyrics to all of his songs. I usually don't care to much for a song that is covered by another artist, but I would have to say that Jon Lucien did an excellent version of this song as well. Check it out, it's posted.
whenever i ask someone if they've heard of Bill Withers they say no, then i start to list some of his hits like Lean on me, Use me, Lovely Day, Aint no Sunshine when she's gone, Just the two of us, Who is he and what is he to you,and Grandma's hands, then they say " Oh, i know all of those songs. I didn't know he sung them" so when i think of Bill Withers i think of the only artist whos songs are more famous than his name!!!
This song is not only beautiful=, but haunting, especially if you lost a love and loved to see that person again. Hello Like Before brings tears to my eyes for I understand now what Bill was singing about years ago.
Once in a great while..we witness something great. thanks Bill and thank you for posting both this and Jon Luciens' version....this is going on my setlist!
I love this Song, but I just love hearing Bill Withers Sing! It do take me back to when I was little, and my Mother had so many of his LP's and 45's, and she would be jam. Now that I am Grown, I have grown to Love and appreciate how good this Music really was.... They just don't make Music like this No More!!!!!
Ooh la laaaaaaa indescribable ( the feeling I get ) @ 1974stargazer he truly is underrated, I was just listening to I wanna spend the night on CD then I decided to come here and listen to Hello like before what good childhood memories his voice brings back.............
@master4444t Feelin it yessir! I love vinyl - got old NatKingCole, Ella Fitzgerald, RoseRoyce, Earth Wind&Fire etc..... on vinyl - the smell that hits you when you take the lid of the box is pure nostalgia for me - reminds me of being little, begging Dad to put the turntable on - all his old motown - ALL his old records, I hope he's gona leave it me in his will! x*x
Hadn't heard this before until I heard the version that Nancy Wilson did on a CD about a decade ago and then I read the credits and saw Bill Withers wrote it. She did a wonderful version as well.
This song is my favorite by him. It is ridiculously beautiful. The instruments, the soft ooohs of the background singers and Bill Wither's voice just makes me cry as a student of music. the composition is PERFECT! Someone said that they wished he sung a couple of more stanzas, but it is perfect the way it is. Bill is a genius and a very appreciated musician and if lil ol me 19 can appreciate his talent, then he did his job. This song reminds me of a situation I'm going through
documentary about him, I wondered how long ago he died. The answer is, he still lives and survives as a happy man. "Still Bill" is about a man who topped the charts, walked away from it all in 1985 and is pleased that he did. He didn't burn out. He hasn't burned out. He was free of the demons of drink and drugs. He is still happily married to his first wife."
i didn't hear about this song until I saw this old movie in the 90's, I forgot the name of the movie but that's where I first heard this song and thought wow, what a beautiful song.
My goodness, this makes me sad and wistful. I loved Bill back then and I love him still. I saw him on 20/20 or some show recently. He looks the same, just a bit more gray. He sounded good too. I just want to know, where did the time go? I'll bet Bill could take that statement and make it a song!
I believe that my steps are ordered by God, but I didn't always listen to His wisdom. I have always loved Him, but I didn't always love myself. I am thankful to Him that He was patient
Theres not to many new songs today that that give u chills the first time u hear them, this is the first time ive heard this, and it did, the classics never let u down. So simple, but REAL. Im 30, but im an old soul at heart....thanks for posting this song.
i remember buying the `cassette` of his greatest hits around 1982 basically for the tracks `lovely day` and `just the 2 of us` but when i heard this track , this sounded so right for my time of life,19single, no worries, seeing a pretty girl, driving my dads car, and not a care in the world, but i can`t complain, married to a smashing woman, 3 fantastic kids, 2 of which are in university, nice house,etc, etc ,but where have all the years gone!!!!!
I'm with you he is vastly underrated - me too get chills - this is one of my faves - and Grandma's Hands and I Wanna Spend The Night and Soul Shadows and Who Is He And What Is He To You, er, I think I just love everything he did - I haven't got a favourite, yes I have, no I haven't arggghhhh it's agony!!
You all sound so negative and pessimistic. As long as there are people such as yourselves who still like this music, there will be someone who is moved to recreate it. Listen to Jill Scott (my favorite!), India.Arie, John Legend, John Mayer. Listen to them and they may change your minds.
Nothing happened to this music, something happened to us. Everyone had an ax to grind wanting to talk about the ghetto life, society, cop killerz, the man whatever. We took this beautiful music and cast it aside in favor of angry hip hop rappers who can't sing a note in hell. Dam it pisses me off just thinking about it. Old school music is like that one fabulous lady that you somehow let get away. It's never coming back!
pennridgeboy: your comment forced me to look into future...as long as there are record companies that place quantity before quality...we are destined never again to hear real instruments and the angelic voices of decades past in R&B...makes me think of the euthanasia scene in the movie "Soylent Green" where Edward G. Robinson is showing Charleton Heston how beautiful the world used to be before famine set in....in today' age, we are musically starving...
Could not have put it better myself. Music is all about death murder sex and all that shit now. Songs such as this or songs of love are no more.....will it ever come back....thank god for Jack Johnson and people like him that keep this sort of ballad alive.
To colindlynch: Thanks for the positive enforcement. I was concerned that my brothers and sisters might find my comments too bitter a pill to swallow. Bill Withers somehow managed to write and sing this beautiful music just after our cities were torched and much anger existed in black society. We have had 30 years of unprecidented social and economic progress but all the music today is about a very dark side of life that I don't care to explore. It is indeed a tragedy.
Pennridgeboy, I agree with you 100% yur comment was the best I have read so far, but we dont have to let it get away or forget what great music sounds like, thats why we are on YOUTUBE!!! lol
To soulfulady53: Thanks very much. You tube is a great way to catch up on music never played on the radio today. It was so much a part of my early life and it's good to know that there are folks out there that share the same feelings.
Here's another example of the music industry, while trying to control and steal this man's career, let a true genius get away from us. Bill Wither's is one of the greatest introspective writers on par with Stevie Wonder,Oscar and Hammerstein, or anyone you can think of. A national treasure....if you didn't know, you better ask somebody.
Nancy Wilson covers this song on one of her 80's releases and kills it. Love Bill's version always, but I swear he wrote it for Nancy and just didn't know it....
That's sayng a lot...I know Nancy's bad, but I've never heard anyone cover Bill's songs better than he does. I'll make a point of checking out Nancy's version. Thanks for the tip.
Bill has one of the best voices in the business and his talents are underated compared to other artist. There are few singers who can sing with the clarity and soul without the help of the recording studio. Bill Withers sound is pure, rugged and just right.. The arrangements on Hello Like Before is outstanding a little Jazz, great orchestra and that mellow voice of Bill Whithers, makes this song a must for anyone looking to unwind after a long hard day at work,
Do you ever wonder what happened to the good lyrics and music? Ever ask yourself where did it all go? Well it never left. It's right here and all you have to do is replay it. Now that's nice.
i used to listen to this song by myself in the dark after i broke up with my last girlfriend, but then i tried to kill myself by drinking spoiled milk, i threw up big time and now I cant hear Bill Withers without spewing everywhere
Y'all ever run into an old girlfriend and all the awkward thoughts and feelings that rush into your head. Wondering if you can manage to say something gracious, wondering if you should apologize for all the dumb things that were said and done to ruin a relationship and wondering if your lives would have been different had you managed to stay together.
If you ever truly f#ck'd up a relationship (or a number of them), especially in your 20s; this song is the TRUTH!
this is the kind of music you hear , on a cruise ship on the deck , late in the night , when you are drunk with a bottle of wine or so in your hands , and almost falling asleep , thinking about your girl that dumped you or what so ever ..
This is good music. Reminds me when I'm in New Orleans. If you have never visit New Orleans, this is the kind of music they play there. Hello like before
I remember this song so many moons ago. This is the type of song you want to dance with that special lady. Oh sweet memories. Thank you for posting this song.
Great guitar, great strings, great brass. great voice. For me: One of the best songs ever!
KentCCarpenter 1 week ago
I FEEL YA BILL. BUT THEN AGAIN, LET'S KISS AND TELL!
Blkkgb 2 weeks ago
Marvelous
feliciamari 1 month ago
How could ANYONE dislike this recording. They must be DEAF!!!!!
Tony7840 2 months ago
MAGNIFICENT!!!! One for the records....
Tony7840 2 months ago
MAGNIFICENT!!! One for the records.
Tony7840 2 months ago
that nig can sure sing
420Jaemillz 2 months ago
@420Jaemillz Consider your remark, very degoratory. Take offense of anyone using the "N" word.
Tony7840 2 months ago
Personal Favourite!!! Thank U
TRIPLEZEDOFFICIAL 2 months ago
Oh no there's two folk whose lugholes need washing out now.
argaretbea 2 months ago
2 people never been told Hello before!
quepasa87 2 months ago
fresh everytime...thrills
dixieohdixie 3 months ago
Positively beautiful...... emotion and gut wrenching.........bitterly sweet............
SusanBusch0130 4 months ago
@SusanBusch0130 so very true..very true,,,,
UBZUKI 4 months ago in playlist PURE QUALITY
lol This shit is cold blooded!!!!!
DoomCity202 4 months ago
@DoomCity202 LMAO!! YES!
paintandillustrate 4 months ago
Ahhhhhhhh breath taking.......
LoveChiinaDoll 4 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Bill Withers
totally brilliant.
tomrvo 5 months ago
so soothing, and near godly
MsJalter 5 months ago
Great Song by a Great Artist
jmlobo1122 5 months ago 2
wow the strings are beautiful
ufunkybastard 10 months ago
Bill is the real deal. Check out his set performed in Africa in the "When We Were Kings" movie. The cat can cast a spell!
justbeamensch 11 months ago
If anybody out there thinks they can bring this kind of music now but isn't sure of themselves...please try.
robertobetoroboto 11 months ago
Bill Withers... always his own man... See documentary from around 2007 called STILL BILL... Netflix has it. His reflections on fame, on being from a 'different' South (coal country, Slab Fork, W. Va.), and on growing up un-cool (a stutterer, and asthmatic), and seeing him as a father, all make it a terrific film. Not to mention the music.
yvesami 11 months ago
AMAZING MAN
LDUVA1 11 months ago
he is so awesome and humble not playing that fame game..I respect this man soooo much every song he played he wrote while working on airplane toilets installing cameras in the bathrooms haha in all kind of major aircarft a lot of Boeing and Lockheed aircaft he coulda cared less about what people thought of him what a great guy Just hitting 70.... maybe he and his daughter will record some come on Bill you stil got it !!!!!pray he does write again !!!!!!
LDUVA1 11 months ago
he is so awesome and humble not playing that fame game..I respect this man soooo much every song he played he wrote while workingon airplane tolets installing cameramas in alot of boeing and lockheed aircaft he coulda cared less about what people thought of him what a great guy jsut hitting 70 maybe he and his daughter will record some !!!!!!!!! pray he does write again !!!!!!
LDUVA1 11 months ago
You have not seen each other for years it was not a good breakup and bam they walk in the door what do you feel
bigboi1953 11 months ago 2
such good music. Music today can't touch classic like this
chergirl421 11 months ago
Mr. Bill -- a master tunesmith!
leesterg 1 year ago
I love this song and Bill Withers lyrics to all of his songs. I usually don't care to much for a song that is covered by another artist, but I would have to say that Jon Lucien did an excellent version of this song as well. Check it out, it's posted.
frmoak2atl 1 year ago
Nancy Wilson covered this song on her If I Had My Way Cd ..... and OMG she is outstanding. But gotta love Bill as well. He's a wonderful singer.
carterboy66 1 year ago
whenever i ask someone if they've heard of Bill Withers they say no, then i start to list some of his hits like Lean on me, Use me, Lovely Day, Aint no Sunshine when she's gone, Just the two of us, Who is he and what is he to you,and Grandma's hands, then they say " Oh, i know all of those songs. I didn't know he sung them" so when i think of Bill Withers i think of the only artist whos songs are more famous than his name!!!
jaybuddah 1 year ago
Anyone have Bills Tune " Dedicated To You" ?
BigNice001 1 year ago
My grandmother was playing this song one day. I fell in love with it. Haven't heard it in like eight years. Love it!
tkatinpdx 1 year ago
Hotvision: Bill is vastly underrated. " I'm telling you!
diptidue 1 year ago
As an Brazilian and just listening Bill Withers for the first time, was a great surprise to hear a bossa nova base in this wonderfull song of him.
laerciocampos 1 year ago
1 person is fucking deaf
campingoncampus 1 year ago 5
@campingoncampus LMAO.
BlackMirinda 1 year ago
@campingoncampus make it 2 people now...idiots
tatiNaNa330 2 months ago
This song is not only beautiful=, but haunting, especially if you lost a love and loved to see that person again. Hello Like Before brings tears to my eyes for I understand now what Bill was singing about years ago.
jrlillian 1 year ago 2
Penis.
jwilla11 1 year ago
hello like before great song
live2tell 1 year ago
I sang this once at kareoke...and won... but it might have been the tears in my eyes...
a57moon 1 year ago 2
love, love love this song
fostermom2010 1 year ago
Nancy Wilson does a killer verson of this.
mcpm4 1 year ago
Sometimes it may be best to "Walk-on-By" and not stop and say "hello!" again...
theoriginalsweetlucy 1 year ago 2
@theoriginalsweetlucy You are so right. I said "hello again" to an ex love and went right in to the same hell all over again.
OldMrMemories 1 year ago
this song is for you enrico! Hope you are happy now, where ever you are!.......still missing you........robby
seawoolf33 1 year ago
@ JDERGN52
No way is it better than this one. This one has more soul.
sheltonlabitue 1 year ago
Still Bill got the best of me. I've been crying. Unusual song.
sly821 1 year ago
Great song so smooth!
sheltonlabitue 1 year ago
you need to check out the original done by Jon Lucien...blows this one away
JDEDRGN52 1 year ago
@JDEDRGN52 Yeah but I think Bill wrote the song. Correct me if I am wrong.
memfisman 1 year ago
What a voice. Damn , if you're in love and you hear this, that's it.
UBZUKI 1 year ago
MYYYYY SH!!!!!TTTTT. Mighta been a couple decades late but 05-06, this song was a regular to my headphones
drumma2011 1 year ago
awesome better than viagara.
rubvigorously 1 year ago
Real smooth and mellow...very slick....there is no substitute for pure talent...and Bill and his whole band is just that
ITSFERGIEBABY 1 year ago
I agree 100% gcalixto!!! Fav of all time, a true Classic!
cptmccoy 1 year ago
cool cat...
martinatherese 1 year ago
I absolutely love this song! It's so relaxing and soothing, and the start of it just sounds so magical!
80sfordman 1 year ago 2
this guy is frigging amazing!
nickleus1977 1 year ago
Great singer ,You should listen to Dawn.
mmorgan42 1 year ago 2
@mmorgan42 ...i have 'dawn' on an album...been looking for someone to post it on the tube....
RXmusic4YOU 1 year ago
Brings me totally in the mood
lizpastora 1 year ago 2
This just brought me to tears. BW is a hero.
crescentridge 1 year ago 2
Once in a great while..we witness something great. thanks Bill and thank you for posting both this and Jon Luciens' version....this is going on my setlist!
wy2blessed 1 year ago
I love this Song, but I just love hearing Bill Withers Sing! It do take me back to when I was little, and my Mother had so many of his LP's and 45's, and she would be jam. Now that I am Grown, I have grown to Love and appreciate how good this Music really was.... They just don't make Music like this No More!!!!!
DetroitSlim654 1 year ago
Ooh la laaaaaaa indescribable ( the feeling I get ) @ 1974stargazer he truly is underrated, I was just listening to I wanna spend the night on CD then I decided to come here and listen to Hello like before what good childhood memories his voice brings back.............
LASTTRY2NITE 1 year ago
Beautiful. Nancy Wilson recorded this, which of course is also beautiful.
divaenvy 1 year ago
how beautiful is this song?
icon200 1 year ago
@icon200 pretty darn beautiful
snowman98166 1 year ago
Fantastic...we love him!!!
EL6969 1 year ago
Absolutely Beautiful !!!! I still have it on vinyl.
master4444t 1 year ago
@master4444t Feelin it yessir! I love vinyl - got old NatKingCole, Ella Fitzgerald, RoseRoyce, Earth Wind&Fire etc..... on vinyl - the smell that hits you when you take the lid of the box is pure nostalgia for me - reminds me of being little, begging Dad to put the turntable on - all his old motown - ALL his old records, I hope he's gona leave it me in his will! x*x
1974stargazer 1 year ago
Great song for a quiet afternoon.
reneecalling 1 year ago
...and any other time of day :)
master4444t 1 year ago
Hadn't heard this before until I heard the version that Nancy Wilson did on a CD about a decade ago and then I read the credits and saw Bill Withers wrote it. She did a wonderful version as well.
mcpm4 1 year ago
This song is my favorite by him. It is ridiculously beautiful. The instruments, the soft ooohs of the background singers and Bill Wither's voice just makes me cry as a student of music. the composition is PERFECT! Someone said that they wished he sung a couple of more stanzas, but it is perfect the way it is. Bill is a genius and a very appreciated musician and if lil ol me 19 can appreciate his talent, then he did his job. This song reminds me of a situation I'm going through
babymck09 1 year ago 7
I see what your saying ; ) This song is perfect, to bump into the only true love we have ever had again....perfect!!!!
birdmanbenjibeat 1 year ago 2
babymck09 : As you stated "PERFECT"
I love ballads and this is as good as it gets ! The lyrics (as all else that you mentioned ) are outstanding ! Kinda puts a tear in ones eye.
master4444t 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
documentary about him, I wondered how long ago he died. The answer is, he still lives and survives as a happy man. "Still Bill" is about a man who topped the charts, walked away from it all in 1985 and is pleased that he did. He didn't burn out. He hasn't burned out. He was free of the demons of drink and drugs. He is still happily married to his first wife."
pboiler07 1 year ago
my cd has so much scratches because I have listen to this album so many time
MrGoonerforlife 2 years ago 4
Incredibly romantic.
applesomething 2 years ago 3
@applesomething this guy is a pantie, i have him in my mix. ;)
dr0d84 1 year ago
i didn't hear about this song until I saw this old movie in the 90's, I forgot the name of the movie but that's where I first heard this song and thought wow, what a beautiful song.
tiana1017 2 years ago
My goodness, this makes me sad and wistful. I loved Bill back then and I love him still. I saw him on 20/20 or some show recently. He looks the same, just a bit more gray. He sounded good too. I just want to know, where did the time go? I'll bet Bill could take that statement and make it a song!
oldbiddie 2 years ago 5
I believe that my steps are ordered by God, but I didn't always listen to His wisdom. I have always loved Him, but I didn't always love myself. I am thankful to Him that He was patient
oldbiddie 2 years ago 2
Theres not to many new songs today that that give u chills the first time u hear them, this is the first time ive heard this, and it did, the classics never let u down. So simple, but REAL. Im 30, but im an old soul at heart....thanks for posting this song.
sawyer5four 2 years ago 4
Música maravilhosa a voz deste cantor espetacular. Nada poderia ser mais perfeito!
Eu me emociono cada vez que ouço...Só Freud explica...Ou nem mesmo ele.
mjacira 2 years ago
this song is probably the most relevant song i've heard in regards to me personally. i loved when artists made music that i could understand and FEEL
WriteMoment 2 years ago 2
Cool...
thomascaderao 2 years ago
i remember buying the `cassette` of his greatest hits around 1982 basically for the tracks `lovely day` and `just the 2 of us` but when i heard this track , this sounded so right for my time of life,19single, no worries, seeing a pretty girl, driving my dads car, and not a care in the world, but i can`t complain, married to a smashing woman, 3 fantastic kids, 2 of which are in university, nice house,etc, etc ,but where have all the years gone!!!!!
nobbletwist 2 years ago 2
While driving along Biscayne Blvd one late evening I discovered this song and since then has become one of my favorites.
I wish Bill Withers could have sung a few more stanza's and prolong the song as I feel unsatisfied with this recorded version.
It takes me back to around 1972 when I was 22 and everything was beautiful and good.
Today I stand on my doorway looking at those past memories and wish I could go back to the same place and time and start over again.
penta15786 2 years ago 3
Well said Penta.
If there's a bus going back there, I'll join you and take a one way ticket. The world was a very different place back then.
elcastillian 2 years ago
amen, but then if I did, I wouldn't have my kids,because trust me, I would have made different choices if I knew then what I know now!
oldbiddie 2 years ago
oldbiddie - I became a believer in 'Kismet' when I see my life and where I started from and where I am today.
Yes I submit to God's will and agree that we are vessels that ring and all the praise is for him.
A beautiful face, a little baby, an intelligent young man or woman or anything that shows the beauty that is around us is uplifting.
The issue sometimes is those lost moments that can never be recovered. Not that I would change anything today.
penta15786 2 years ago 2
wonderful song thank you :))
TooDarnSoulful 2 years ago 3
Another Bill Withers classic.
MsBlackJap09 2 years ago 6
bill is vastly underrated. This song gives me chills
hotvision 2 years ago 48
I'm with you he is vastly underrated - me too get chills - this is one of my faves - and Grandma's Hands and I Wanna Spend The Night and Soul Shadows and Who Is He And What Is He To You, er, I think I just love everything he did - I haven't got a favourite, yes I have, no I haven't arggghhhh it's agony!!
1974stargazer 2 years ago 32
I Feel Ya ! I Feel Ya !
master4444t 1 year ago
@hotvision How is he underrated? I never heard anyone hate on him.
NeuroTheory 1 year ago
This song, the voice of the Bill Withers AND ITS INTERPRETATION IS A MORE PERFECT COMBINATION.
I remember the first time I heard with him: IN HI-FI SHOW IN SÃO PAULO.
Cry ... emotion
mjacira 2 years ago 6
You all sound so negative and pessimistic. As long as there are people such as yourselves who still like this music, there will be someone who is moved to recreate it. Listen to Jill Scott (my favorite!), India.Arie, John Legend, John Mayer. Listen to them and they may change your minds.
Ivebntherednthat 2 years ago 3
Thanks for the lift but these people are a small oasis in the middle of an abyss of hip hop and rap music.
pennridgeboy 2 years ago 4
i know wat you mean but hip hop and rap are a bit different....
j dilla vs 50 pence...no contest xx
nickolash187 2 years ago
This song, the voice of the Bill Withers AND ITS INTERPRETATION IS A MORE PERFECT COMBINATION.
I remember the first time I heard with him: IN HI-FI SHOW IN SÃO PAULO.
Cry ... emotion
mjacira 2 years ago
amo este tema genial¡¡¡¡********* ES DE UNA BELLEZA SUBLIME
SOULMUSICFX 2 years ago 2
Totalmente de acuerco contigo! gracias.
SmoothMusicMexico 2 years ago
oh my
womanruntings 2 years ago
Nothing happened to this music, something happened to us. Everyone had an ax to grind wanting to talk about the ghetto life, society, cop killerz, the man whatever. We took this beautiful music and cast it aside in favor of angry hip hop rappers who can't sing a note in hell. Dam it pisses me off just thinking about it. Old school music is like that one fabulous lady that you somehow let get away. It's never coming back!
pennridgeboy 2 years ago 8
pennridgeboy: your comment forced me to look into future...as long as there are record companies that place quantity before quality...we are destined never again to hear real instruments and the angelic voices of decades past in R&B...makes me think of the euthanasia scene in the movie "Soylent Green" where Edward G. Robinson is showing Charleton Heston how beautiful the world used to be before famine set in....in today' age, we are musically starving...
peace & light
btinsley1 2 years ago 6
Could not have put it better myself. Music is all about death murder sex and all that shit now. Songs such as this or songs of love are no more.....will it ever come back....thank god for Jack Johnson and people like him that keep this sort of ballad alive.
colindlynch 2 years ago 2
To colindlynch: Thanks for the positive enforcement. I was concerned that my brothers and sisters might find my comments too bitter a pill to swallow. Bill Withers somehow managed to write and sing this beautiful music just after our cities were torched and much anger existed in black society. We have had 30 years of unprecidented social and economic progress but all the music today is about a very dark side of life that I don't care to explore. It is indeed a tragedy.
pennridgeboy 2 years ago 4
Pennridgeboy, I agree with you 100% yur comment was the best I have read so far, but we dont have to let it get away or forget what great music sounds like, thats why we are on YOUTUBE!!! lol
soulfulady53 2 years ago 3
To soulfulady53: Thanks very much. You tube is a great way to catch up on music never played on the radio today. It was so much a part of my early life and it's good to know that there are folks out there that share the same feelings.
pennridgeboy 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This man lived next door to me. He beat this wife and broke both her arms. She divorced him......He is talented in more ways than one. LOL
lede39571 2 years ago
Which man? Mr. Withers?
sedecim 2 years ago
Bill Withers lived next door to you? I guess I'm going to call bullshit on that one.
Ddubya77 2 years ago
google it. wife was denise nicholas. this probably occurred prior to you being born. sorry.
lede39571 2 years ago 2
What a gifted man. This is pure genius. Music for the ages.
am3155 2 years ago
don't u wish those imaginary conversations with the ones who got away went like this? mature, sweet and heartfelt. just plain beautiful.
lookingoutpfunk 2 years ago 4
i already loved and respected his work.. but when i heard this for the first time..i wanted to hear everything that he had done....
discoAL 2 years ago 4
Here's another example of the music industry, while trying to control and steal this man's career, let a true genius get away from us. Bill Wither's is one of the greatest introspective writers on par with Stevie Wonder,Oscar and Hammerstein, or anyone you can think of. A national treasure....if you didn't know, you better ask somebody.
mumbleora 2 years ago 2
nice....very nice
accordianman5264 2 years ago
per simy000
mozzo72 2 years ago
Was commenting that Withers was a factory worker after he got out the navy.
kjgarvin 2 years ago
Nancy Wilson covers this song on one of her 80's releases and kills it. Love Bill's version always, but I swear he wrote it for Nancy and just didn't know it....
solaidback21 2 years ago
That's sayng a lot...I know Nancy's bad, but I've never heard anyone cover Bill's songs better than he does. I'll make a point of checking out Nancy's version. Thanks for the tip.
layoutzz 2 years ago
Bill has one of the best voices in the business and his talents are underated compared to other artist. There are few singers who can sing with the clarity and soul without the help of the recording studio. Bill Withers sound is pure, rugged and just right.. The arrangements on Hello Like Before is outstanding a little Jazz, great orchestra and that mellow voice of Bill Whithers, makes this song a must for anyone looking to unwind after a long hard day at work,
zoolights 2 years ago 3
Do you ever wonder what happened to the good lyrics and music? Ever ask yourself where did it all go? Well it never left. It's right here and all you have to do is replay it. Now that's nice.
calvindavis007 2 years ago
thank you bill
jimipurple123 2 years ago 4
i used to listen to this song by myself in the dark after i broke up with my last girlfriend, but then i tried to kill myself by drinking spoiled milk, i threw up big time and now I cant hear Bill Withers without spewing everywhere
gnibdnaem 3 years ago
Wow! You need to stay by yourself if breaking up makes you do that.
Parashooter24 3 years ago 3
im sorry but that has to be the dumbest suicide attempt ever
imageetoo420 2 years ago
Comment removed
gourounishasa 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
can't stop laughing!
spoiled milk!
"got milk?"
wouhou! I have to breath!
gourounishasa 2 years ago
If I were you I would probably keep that little story to myself.. But just for the gutsy way you put your self out there I'll give you a thumbs up.
calvindavis007 2 years ago
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Stickyglasgowbud 2 years ago
Sweet memories from 1975.
LosAngeleno1959 3 years ago 2
Pretty words, pretty music, inspirational meaning. What in the hell happened y'all? Where did it all go?
strongrj 3 years ago 3
Thats for the memories to all you 50t listners out there, THIS IS THE JAM OF ALL JAMS!
soulfulady53 3 years ago 3
Reunited with my first love after 35yrs. I am 52YRS. OLD AND CAN FINALLY APPRECIATE THE LYRICS OF THIS SONG. MEMORIES.....I HEAR YOU GIRLFRIEND!!!
HAPPY VALENTINE DAY!!!
mwtcat7375 3 years ago
Y'all ever run into an old girlfriend and all the awkward thoughts and feelings that rush into your head. Wondering if you can manage to say something gracious, wondering if you should apologize for all the dumb things that were said and done to ruin a relationship and wondering if your lives would have been different had you managed to stay together.
If you ever truly f#ck'd up a relationship (or a number of them), especially in your 20s; this song is the TRUTH!
ATS68 3 years ago 5
this is the kind of music you hear , on a cruise ship on the deck , late in the night , when you are drunk with a bottle of wine or so in your hands , and almost falling asleep , thinking about your girl that dumped you or what so ever ..
or is it just me ? :D haha
greyonednb 3 years ago 7
no its not just you
Borikos 3 years ago
There was a brother by name of Jon Lucien that covers this perfectly as well,,, Billy is the man!
albabyluv7 3 years ago
Oh so S M O O T H, as Bill does it, thanks for posting it!!!
LadyMamaAlive 3 years ago 5
beautiful song,and bill does it justice.nancy wilson also does this,can't seem to find it. if someone has it ,please post it. thank you
CAPSLOCK63 3 years ago
How honest us this?
mrclsims 3 years ago
my fav from Bill Withers
passjay 3 years ago
This is good music. Reminds me when I'm in New Orleans. If you have never visit New Orleans, this is the kind of music they play there. Hello like before
lamargry 3 years ago 3
Ahhhh...Smooth Bill Withers can sing to me anytime.
spirituallyrich4life 3 years ago 3
Bill was so laid back he must have hit his head on the floor everytime he walked.
Is it true he was a plumber before he started recording?
eamcas67 3 years ago 2
No,he was in the Navy.
MrRodriguez27 3 years ago
and a factory worker.
kjgarvin 2 years ago
oh my, this is fantastic, thank you for posting. this is the kind of music that i really appreciate. I love it!!!
mjayne51 3 years ago 3
Someone please post "She's Lonely" my all time favorite. My old crying time music.
"She's a special kind of lady and the books she reads are good".
Please somebody help this sister out!
VTERRELL 3 years ago
I remember this song so many moons ago. This is the type of song you want to dance with that special lady. Oh sweet memories. Thank you for posting this song.
redwalls76 3 years ago 3
reminds me of my first love, beautiful song !
eatonds 3 years ago
A nice relaxing song
kjgarvin 3 years ago
the black eyed peas sampled this on the track bridging the gap!
Category9fa03 3 years ago
this song makes me feeling so good...such a sunny beautiful day...thank you so much to share this smooth melody with us...
Broownie77 3 years ago 2
..it's a combination of the french horn and strings...they synth solo makes you want to dance and dance and dance...
philburrell 3 years ago
Been there, done this one, wanted to kiss her again, but......
philburrell 3 years ago
can't get much better than this--wish i could sing like this! bill is still the man!
sambear1964 3 years ago
Nobody sings like this anymore !!!
okiefilm 3 years ago
@okiefilm So True.
gjeno4u 1 year ago
I love this song! His album got me through my first deployment in Iraq.
Parashooter24 3 years ago
Glad you made it back, Parashooter24!!!
HighlandKnight 3 years ago
Ditto!
philburrell 3 years ago
One of my favorites, as well. Such a mellow tune.
Brock213 3 years ago 2
One of my favorites, the title itself has such a subtle strength to it... I love this style of lyric writing.
GaylaRR 3 years ago
A beautiful track - puts hairs on the back of my neck ....!
stevemfmartin 3 years ago