This melancholy classic spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard R&B singles chart and went to #3 on that publication’s pop music chart in 1963. The backup singers on the recording are The Dells.
[Verse 1]
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop)
Hello stranger
(Ooh) It seems so good to see you back again
How long has it been?
(Ooh it seems like a mighty long time)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Ooh) It seems like a mighty long time
[Verse 2]
Ohh, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm I'm so glad
(Ooh) You stopped by to say hello to me
Remember that's the way it used to be
Ooh, it seems like a mighty long time
Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby
Ooh, it seems like a mighty long time
[Chorus]
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) Ohh ...
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) Ahh yes I'm so glad
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) You're here again
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
[Verse 3]
Ohh, If you're not gonna stay
(Ooh) Please don't tease me
Like you did before
Because I still love you so
(Ooh) Although
It seems like a mighty long time
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Ooh) It seems like a mighty long time
[Outro]
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) Ohh
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) Ohh my my my my
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) I'm so happy
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) That you're here at last
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) Ohh
Hello Stranger was written by Barbara Lewis.
Hello Stranger was produced by Ollie McLaughlin.
I got the title “Hello Stranger” because my dad would be on the tractor, talking to the neighbour: ‘Hey stranger, how you doin’?‘ That’s where the whole story of “Hello Stranger” came from. Of course, people think it was a love song, so that’s fine.
— The Complete Atlantic Singles liner notes, 2012