Some say the song was inspired by the songwriting of Laura Nyro. Some say it was Carole King. Personally, I hear more King in "Hello, It's Me" than Nyro. (Although, I'm probably a little biased because I strongly prefer King's music to Nyro's. King never had to try to be soulful, whereas Nyro's music always tried a little too hard and sounded jittery--spastic even. Really, what the hell is a "stoned soul picnic," and why would anyone "surry down" to it unless forced by court order?)
Anyway, the first time I heard "Hello, It's Me" was on a crappy battery-powered radio during an ice storm. Our power had gone out, and my family and I were huddled around the fireplace in our den, eating cheese crackers and listening to Mike Harvey's Super Gold oldies show by firelight. Even with the radio's awful reception and single speaker, that tasty bassline and funky, in-the-pocket beat cut through, loud and clear. I couldn't really make out Rundgren's lyrics too well, but they came across as a guy calling his girlfriend because he just wanted to say "hi." Whatever he was singing, it seemed really soulful and sincere, especially with the jazzy horns and female vocals backing him up.
I didn't realize until some years later that it's a breakup song: he calls his girl to tell her that, although he's thought a lot about their relationship, he thinks they should end it. But he offers to come see her and even bow-chicka-wow-wow every so often--but only if she is down with it.
In anyone else's hands, the song might have been complete teen pop fluff. But it's that sincerity in the delivery and songcraft that makes it work.
Likewise, listening to the song within the context of the entire album, you realize that Rundgren could/can do anything--write, perform, produce--in pretty much any damn genre he wants to tackle. And the fact that he did it all well is the big red cherry on top of the sundae.
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