Hello, Goodbye is a 1967 pop single by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released as a non‑album single on 24 November 1967 in the UK (backed with I Am the Walrus) and on 27 November 1967 in the US, following the death of their manager Brian Epstein. The song features a bright pop melody in C major with a studio improvised 45‑second coda, and its lyrics toy with dualities by using opposite pairs such as hello and goodbye. Although John Lennon preferred I Am the Walrus as the A side, McCartney and producer George Martin chose Hello, Goodbye for its commercial appeal. It topped charts around the world, including seven weeks at number one in the UK and three weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, and it later appeared on the American Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack and on compilation albums such as 1967–1970 and 1. The Beatles made three promotional films for the song, directed by McCartney, and the release is noted for its UK lip‑sync ban on television and the famous improvised coda sometimes called a Maori finale. McCartney has performed Hello, Goodbye on many tours since 2002, and the tune has been covered by artists including James Last, Bud Shank, Allen Toussaint, The Cure with James McCartney, and the Glee cast.
Key facts:
- Original artist: The Beatles
- Writer: Paul McCartney (credited Lennon–McCartney)
- Year of release: 1967
- UK single release date: 24 November 1967; US release date: 27 November 1967
- A‑side / B‑side: Hello, Goodbye / I Am the Walrus
- Album association: non‑album single; later on Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack (US) and on compilations 1967–1970 and 1
- Genre: Pop, psychedelic pop
- Key and tempo: C major, 4/4
- Length: 3:27
- Producer: George Martin
- Promotional films: three clips directed by Paul McCartney
- Notable musical feature: a studio created 45‑second coda after a false ending
- Chart highlights: UK number one for seven weeks; US number one for three weeks
- Notable live and cover history: frequently performed by McCartney; covered by several artists and featured in Glee and other projects
