About the song
Ricky Nelson, a popular American rock ‘n’ roll singer and actor, penned “Hello Mary Lou” as a catchy and upbeat love song. This classic track, released in 1957, became a hit single and a defining song for Nelson’s early career.
With his distinctive voice and energetic delivery, Nelson explores the theme of young love and the excitement of a first romance. Through playful lyrics and Nelson’s youthful enthusiasm, listeners are invited to relive the thrill of teenage romance.
The opening lines, “Hello Mary Lou, hello Mary Lou, hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart,” immediately establish the song’s subject and set a playful tone. Nelson describes the excitement of seeing his love interest and the thrill of their budding romance. The song’s refrain, “Hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart,” conveys a sense of both joy and longing.
Throughout the song, Nelson uses vivid imagery and relatable anecdotes to illustrate the intensity of his feelings. He references the “cherry red lipstick” on her lips and the “blue jeans” she’s wearing. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing for a simpler time, while also celebrating the joy and excitement of young love.
“Hello Mary Lou” is more than just a catchy love song; it is a timeless piece of rock ‘n’ roll history. Nelson’s energetic performance and the song’s infectious melody have made it a beloved classic for generations. The song’s playful and youthful spirit continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, serving as a reminder of the joy and excitement of first love.
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Lyrics
Hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou
I’m so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou
We’d never part
So hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
You passed me by one sunny day
Flashed those big brown eyes my way
And ooh I wanted you forever more
Now I’m not one that gets around
I swear my feet stuck to the ground
And though I never did meet you before
I said “Hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou
I’m so in love with you”
I knew Mary Lou
We’d never part
So hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
I saw your lips I heard your voice
Believe me I just had no choice
Wild horses couldn’t make me stay away
I thought about a moonlit night
Arms around you, good and tight
All I had to see for me to say
“Hey hey hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou
I’m so in love with you”
I knew Mary Lou
We’d never part
So, hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
So, hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
Yes, hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart