Hello It's Me - Todd Rundgren | The Midnight Special

[@johnfeatherman4942]

I saw Todd Rundgren back in the day. It's worth being old now to have been young back then.

[@1969EType]

That is just so well said…so well said. I was born in 1971 and I am so thankful to have grown up and lived in the time where I did. The music is a big, big part of that.

[@andyjulia]

Love that!

[@db8658]

Well said.

[@NicolasDifroscia-jc8sn]

Say that again 😂

[@stlrockn]

Well said. Couldn't agree more

[@1969EType]

This song really defines a sense of time, a sense of place and a sense of an era. I have so many good memories of this song, driving home on a hot, summer night. Riding in the back seat with the entire car bathed in the gentle incandescent light of the instrument panel…and then drifting off to sleep. I also think of That 70’s Show with Eric and Donna sitting on the hood of the VistaCruiser. Just a great, great song that hits all the feels from a special time in my life.

[@ColleyatFlak]

Yep, it takes you straight back to the exact time, in my case, the late Fall of 1973.

[@DonaldWebber-o9v]

One of the most underrated talents in rock...that song is so timeless

[@Washington-Dreaming]

I think you’re right. He has a great combination of song writing, lyric writing, and vocal performance. There’s also an emotional element that causes the listener to feel a certain way. I think he’s terrific.

[@grokeffer6226]

There are many people who are less aware and appreciative of his music than they might ought to be.

[@jimsonjohnson3761]

Not any rock going on here

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Nothing “Underrated” about this song, at all. Nor is Todd Rundgren. Sheesh, you forgot to mention “critically”.

[@bigelile07]

People really need to stop saying artists are underrated when they're clearly not. He's in the R&R HOF...and on top of that, Hello It's Me, is from the double sided album, Something/Anything? which - (here is the copy and paste) "The album is divided into four sections focused on different stylistic themes; the first three parts were recorded in the studio with Rundgren playing all instruments and singing all vocals in addition to producing. The final quarter contained a number of tracks recorded live in the studio without any overdubs, save for a short snippet of archive recordings from the 1960s" - no one else has ever done.

[@AbbyNormal777]

Say a little prayer for Todd Rundgren. He's fighting cancer.

[@mytsrplx]

What? Ah crap. All the power, Todd

[@christinarasmobeymer]

No he doesn't. That post indicates the cancer he's referring to is "orange bad man" Todd suffers from TDS.

[@tammyfaries685]

😢

[@cascarrabias397]

My prays for Todd... Lord have mercy on him, please take care of him in your world.

[@tamikajohnson9356]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@ronchamberlain8392]

He's such an amazing songwriter. He and Carol King almost joined at the hip in that ability.

[@planomathandscience]

Man, the guy can sing.

[@wolfguardian8312]

Yeah Todd is a real special dude...

[@wolfguardian8312]

Hello, I'ts me....Remember.....

[@mr.majestic3851]

My Goodness I was only 12 at the time of this show , Too young to stay up on Friday Nights to watch it . Todd in the Glam look of the day , You don't realize how short life is until 50 years Zips by .

[@GothlindReiss]

Oh!! So very true!!!

[@kurtleinenkugel7725]

Amen to that!

[@12345682900]

Yep!

[@StephanieJeanne]

This is such a perfectly bittersweet song. Beyond the words, Todd's voice...I don’t know, just the right tone for this. He wrote a great song!😔💜

[@robmatlock7675]

I always felt like this song came from a place of genuine hurt, that it was written about an incident from his life, and he was sharing his heartbeat with us 😢

[@sejrec56]

I read he said this was the very first song he wrote.

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@sejrec56 Wow, that's really cool!

[@OGK_Show]

I’ve never heard a cover do it justice

[@sherylF5610]

A plaintive wail

[@miciabrown]

I love this performance to tears, this song is a 70's ultimate favorite!

[@j.j.upright4010]

This song originally came out in 1968 with Todd Rungrens band "The Nazz" P.S. Check it out on KZbin!

[@lisadausin22]

Meeeee toooo!! 😭😭😭

[@drummerbraves]

Todd's group Nazz had the original version of "Hello, It's Me" in 1968 which featured harmonies by the group but hands down Todd's solo version from 1973 is the ultimate one and a classic all the way.

[@gwugluud]

That album was the only time Todd R was worth half a damn.

[@RosemaryHerrera-uh6uf]

I lived this song. It is so real. Especially the part about something is wrong yet so right.

[@johnLA1961]

Hard to believe this song came out 50 years ago.

[@mariehoke5763]

Wow! I'm old as dirt!!! 😂 Seen him in AZ Arcosanti ❤

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

If this song didn’t strike a chord within you. You have never been in a meaningful relationship.

[@MStafford-lr9le]

Or maybe you just don’t appreciate bullshit music 😂

[@christianman73]

@@MStafford-lr9le You think this is "bullshit music"? The music is soulful, and the lyrics are meaningful. You're just trolling.

[@MrMwolf69]

I'm there.

[@JeraldGonzalez-vb7uh]

It don't matter what people think, but I grew up on this song and go back to a loving time that still haunts me

[@AnnMartin-t8c]

Love,this song,whatever relationship. Will mean something to everyone.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Such a great song. One of the classics from the 1970s. I saw Todd Rundgren live with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. Todd Rundgren is in my music collection too. What incredible artists and bands we had in the 1970s. Cheers! ✌️

[@StephanieJeanne]

It is a great song! I never get tired of it.

[@MrMegaFredZeppelin]

Hey Dwayne😃ROCK ON!!!!!!!🤘🏻🤙🏻✌🏻

[@dwaynewladyka577]

​@@MrMegaFredZeppelinHello Fred! Cheers, and ROCK ON! 👋✌️

[@steverichardson7272]

I love the song too, but whenever I've seen Todd in the last couple of decades he performs this song as if it's a big joke that he doesn't much like anymore.

[@audiojunkie1047]

Soooooooo true... nuf said. 😊

[@daviegriffin3539]

*The Isley Brothers made this wonderful piece of songwriting into an R&B Soul CLASSIC **_Thanks to Mr. Rundgren_** & Cheers from **#CancúnMéxico* 💙🤘🏽🇲🇽

[@FurtherReview]

What I especially love about this performance is that it's so obviously live and unaltered. No lip-synching, no autotune, no do-overs -- when they appeared on the Midnight Special, Todd and the artists of his day put themselves out there and walked the musical tightrope without a net.

[@daddygrace253]

I was born in 1955 and I graduated from high school in 1973 when this song came out. I had forgotten about this song until I heard it recently in the movie, Paul. I am here listening to Hello It's Me, January 4, 2025. HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish I had a Time Machine to travel back to the beginning on 1970 when I entered the 10th grade in the Fall of September 1970. I remember seeing this on a Friday night watching Midnight Special. I always watched The Midnight Special on NBC on Friday nights back in the early 70's. I truly miss those days and I will be 70 years old June 26, 2025.

[@kath6643]

I agree. 71 born in ‘53. I feel blessed to have lived my teens hearing the most amazing soundtrack of that era.

[@catherinemiller333]

Me too!!! I'll be 70 in February and your memories are mine. I was just remembering watchong the Midnight Special. Thanks for sharing your memories because I needed to take a break from reality and remember a much better time

[@TheKyPerson]

Great song and Todd Rundgren is one of the great producers in rock.

[@AntonioTorres-mo8bp]

One of the most underrated great artists of all times

[@joboiecruiser]

Who underrated him? Not you, not me, nobody I know.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@joboiecruiser Hehe, they forgot to mention “critically”, too.

[@catsofsherman1316]

This is what was happening on my fourth birthday. I wish I had been born 20 years earlier.

[@elmolewis9123]

This song still stands the test of time. What a wonderful performance from a remarkable talent.

[@ginafriend1690]

This song is one of the all time greats. It took me until now to actually see him look like this. I would have never thought. Surprised for some reason!

[@uno1087]

This song was popular when I broke up with my first real love. She wanted to get married and I wasn't quite ready to. It will always remind me of her.

[@ColleyatFlak]

Love that the date of telecast is shown.

[@felipelizana7502]

A timeless master piece!

[@photodube]

Really great chord progression, great song writing.

[@fullmetta2764]

1973 was one of music's greatest years.

[@that70sgirl90]

I love this song! ❤ Makes me think of the ones we loved and left behind on this journey we call life. I hope we have grown and learned from our experiences. I hope good things have come our way even though we have gone completely different ways in our lives. Happy Wednesday... thank you for sharing! 💖

[@joseh3564]

Beautiful song, beautiful voice. ❤ Real music classes teaching classical music theory, instrumental, etc, must be brought back to the schools. It shows that it's sorely missing in our culture.

[@bobcumbers4316]

My favorite version, midnight special, remember tryin to stay up late to watch in grade school in 70s

[@pocopico7409]

This song brings back so many memories. Namely, me going off to my first year of college in 1972. The whole album that this song was on was fantastic. It was called “Something/Anything“. On 3/4ths of the album, he played every instrument and sang every part on the record. Unforgettable.

[@markhernden9472]

Yes indeed. "Hello It's Me", "I Saw The Light", "Couldn't I Just Tell You" and "Black Maria" are just four of the great songs on "Something/Anything".

[@RobertGrubb-z1d]

He's from Upper Darby PA. My cousin was from there but was killed in Vietnam.

[@HeatherS__]

My best friend knew Todd when they were kids. My friend grew up in Broomall, and his cousin went to school with Todd. They all used to hang out together sometimes. My friend said Todd was kinda weird even then, but kinda cool too. :) Such an amazing talent, we're lucky to have existed on this planet at the same time as musicians like Todd Rundgren.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@HeatherS__ Yep, & David Bowie.

[@harleybk3]

Al Bundy: Hey, kids! We’re going down to the lobby to shake hands with the man who met Andy Griffith!

[@6ftsweet]

I'm sorry you got cheated out of those years with your cousin😢. May his memory be a blessing. 🙏🏾

[@mikeburke1993]

In 2024 still awesome. Written from personal experience. Heartbroken

[@P51]

this guy is SO talented.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Fantastic song from the genius that is Todd Rundgren, I love him, he’s so gorgeous!

[@lisadausin22]

YESSSSSS!!😍😍😍

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@lisadausin22 Oooh yeah, I’ve always had a “thing” for Todd, too!!! 😮‍💨😻

[@tompowers9296]

Such a beautiful and sad song.

[@chrisclay5004]

Remember the song from when I was kid. Songs meant something back then. Made you think about being good or not. Miss those days.

[@tomswanson7446]

This guy is something special

[@ApplePie..]

Except those teeth. 🎃

[@joniheisenberg]

@@ApplePie..Why are you comfortable & confident leaving such a superficial comment?

[@WesleyGravolet]

​@@joniheisenbergunfortunately this is what people are fixated on these days..

[@OpalineAndTheBean]

He’s just so hauntingly beautiful here.. ❤

[@JohnLazzaro-p2u]

There has never been music that transcends and moves my very soul . Time and space minutes days weeks years and decades . It gets down to my very core . As many artists of the era . Music is state of mind . The world may be different if it wasn’t for this music . Some get it some don’t feel it . Peace people be good to one another

[@vickuligoski837]

“Or seeing anything as much as I do you” just hits different in this version with his vocal inflection 🥹

[@charleswilliams8248]

Wonderful song writing ✍🏿.

[@DavidHaggas]

I am 55 & I've Loved this song the first day I got to see him sing it on TV.

[@universalhead]

Cool costume , great song , really interesting to watch him sing it.

[@beefheart67]

I hated that look 😂

[@rebeccawagner4167]

Kudos to the Midnight Special for hosting this great artist and his awesome and amazing music 🎶 🎵

[@bennyadler5882]

I came home early that night just to catch this performance years ago.

[@charlesmartinez947]

This Song Made Me A Song Writer/Musician. Genius At The Highest Level

[@ricthornton2958]

I first saw him in concert in August of 1978 at the World Series of Rock in Cleveland. Fleetwood Mac, Todd with Utopia, Bob Welch, Eddie Money and the Cars. That was a damned fine time!

[@william-uc2oy]

A legend and a piano. No backup. No playback. No auto tune. No iphones. Just people in the moment. I well remember these days. Saw: ELO Frampton’s Camel Jethro Tull. T Rex David Bowie Donna Summers YES Genesis Cat Steven’s All like this back in the early and mid 70s. None cost more than $20.

[@samjohnstone1866]

Hiya no disrespect meant but Todd Rundgren famously used playback in the 70s, in fact he is using it in this performance. No dig at you just letting you know!

[@comfortablynumbly]

@@samjohnstone1866 Your correct but , He's actually singing & playing that piano LIVE!

[@TheAzmountaineer]

@@comfortablynumbly I watched this way back then. He turned a tape machine on while explaining all those people were scattered around the world, before going to the piano.

[@dianekoralja2154]

My sister always loved Todd Rundgren, and I always will love my sister. ❤️❤️💖

[@brandondickie3456]

As a 23 year old, this music is something I’d dance to and lounge out to. Where did they usually play songs like this back then?

[@deborahcomisac484]

Love Love Love this song and Todd. Takes me back to a peaceful simple time of life. Timeless!❤️

[@StephenBryant]

I remember seeing this in commercials for song compilations. It was late 70's or early 80's and I was confused for a long time with the costume as you could not look anything up and the style of music was not easily available for a kid unless your parents were in the music scene. My step father called him a "whack job". I have yet to look it up. Still a great memory for me. Thanks for releasing it and for having this channel.

[@RonaldPetrin]

One of the most artful heartful love songs ever written. Still think Carole harmonized with him in the original. My Todd fave.

[@dwayneard5997]

Todd "Ziggy Stardust"Rundgren.... just kidding... what an Awesomely amazing performance!!Mr Dilly.. Approved !!👍🎸😎❤️

[@Washington-Dreaming]

Todd has what I’d call a “beautiful voice.” I’m no singer but I’m guessing it’s difficult to start a song so high in your register. I think that’s what voice coaches might say. But he hits it on key and he’s off to the races from there. But of course there’s an emotional element to his lyrics as well. (At 0:50 I think he’s strays from the studio version but I like it. I’d have to go back and listen to the original again though. But I think he maybe jumps into his falsetto here. He definitely does at 1:34. But I think it must be really difficult for a male singer to stay in key so high in a falsetto. He’s right on track here. At 2:48 it sounds like a key change maybe? Perhaps a half-step? I’m lousy at reading sheet music nowadays though. And at 3:25 I think he pounds the keys a little harder on the live version.)

[@robertrider99]

A musician of many talents. I love this song

[@skeezix8156]

He got dumped by a girl and wrote the song from the perspective of the dumper. It takes a bit of genius to contort the world this way

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Yes, I believe it was her dad who sprayed Todd with a water hose when he dropped her off at home. All because of his long haired look, poor Todd,,,😿,,,I’m sure it was heartbreakingly painful for him, ❤ What a fab tune! ❤

[@mr.majestic3851]

She must wear a badge , I dumped Todd Rundren before he was Todd Rundren .

[@sandluggerslim6474]

This was the No.1 hit of 1972

[@1129watarigarasu]

GREAT！！！

[@KevinMeehan-z7p]

Oh my god he was way ahead of his time I faintly remember this back in '73 he was way ahead of his time

[@MrDallman]

Genius is an overused compliment but not in this case. This man is the epitome of the word.

[@kings-bay-2902]

Great Post!

[@travelinben1966]

One incredibly talented artist.Love ya Todd!👌👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@redbarchetta8782]

Got to finally see Todd with Ringo's All Star Band. He's still as good as back when this was recorded. :)

[@jasonjaxxson]

Hearing this song on the way to the Drive-in Saturday night..😢

[@billcain9249]

A Wizard a True Star

[@sarpix1640]

What a beautiful song. Reminds me of my dad everytime. He has the absolute best music taste and a very similar voice.

[@darrylbailey3279]

D. Antonio Bailey. Todd Rundgren the musical genius. I am a black man of the inner city. I just discovered this gem and others by Todd. ❤

[@alanskinner8550]

One of the greatest songs ever recorded

[@junofluke]

This song is perfect. ... This song is magic.

[@thomasshircel9256]

Great song!! 🎹

[@MichaelOBrien-z8i]

AN OLD CLASSIC, DONE WELL!! M.O'B

[@Rob-m9s]

I still love this song as much as I always did. Strong memories and emotions . . . Cruising in the '68 Fury with 2 pairs of Mindblowers in the back deck with a Lear Jet A85A 8-track player in the dash. Loudest stereo around back then. Toss a case in the back seat . . .

[@glennowsianny7091]

When music was music. Brilliant!

[@lovepeaceandsoulfullrighto9053]

I truly love this song! Always will, since I was 8, and I’m 51 now! But this is the first time I’ve ever seen this! I knew he was glam rock, and I have seen him many times, BUT when I saw this performance I freaked out 😂 As old as I am, it gave me the creeps 😅

[@glennowsianny7091]

@@lovepeaceandsoulfullrighto9053 If you haven't seen it, check out Rundgren with Daryl Hall at Hall's home in Hawaii. Great rendition of "I saw the light".

[@deniseandmarkfirestine7443]

One of the greatest musicians and songwriters and singers of the ages!!

[@JenniferSmith-c2x]

My song for an off and on fling. Still to this day wonder if I did the right thing. That's a lot for me.

[@cottonplant100]

Fall of 1973. Riding around on a Friday or Saturday night with high school friend or friends listening to WLS Chicago. When AM radio reached from Chicago all the way to southern Missouri. Probably saw this live on The Midnight Special. Must watch TV for a high school kid in1973.

[@shirleygonzales4993]

I love his voice.

[@marilynsnider8183]

Classic, very classic. Gotta love the song.

[@tommygreist9560]

Omg!!!! Amazing...I always wondered the person...I used to weld to thos beautiful song❤😮❤

[@MrTom1401]

noch niemals zuvor ein so emotionales Lied in den 70 gern gehört ! Und gewagt ist dieser Auftritt auf jeden Fall ! KLASSE

[@sandrahawes-lx7gj]

Great song Love this...

[@timguzz8844]

Way ahead of his time especially with the coloured hair!

[@luispadilla6070]

Just great song by Todd, and most importantly to me my place in time and my girlfriend at that time. TIMELESS!

[@thomascarpenter7415]

Back when this hit the radio waves , I’d stop to truly listen to this poetry… the golden age

[@tyegable]

9 years old when this song came out, 60 in 3 days and STILL love it

[@BarbaraPineda-v9p]

Mr.todd rundgren, its... so created, and also, so uniqueness, too very- talented,

[@echomanechoman78]

I was in first grade when this song was everywhere on the radio. I still remember hearing it.

[@Sealust50]

I ran the grids off of this record back in 1976 after I fell into the deepest love and infatuation with my first love, Joe Matthews. Rest in Peace, my darling, Joe. ❤🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️

[@logicalnotes5007]

He is resting John 11:11

[@paulcook7888]

This is an amazing song

[@charlesanderson32]

One of my Favorite Rockers!

[@Andla_2806]

From 0:22 just LOOOOOOOVE the way he looks at the camera.

[@grokeffer6226]

This is one of my favorite songs. 💌💝💖

[@magdasanchez89]

I was young those days. I was in love with this song, and still am in love now with Todd and the song now.

[@louisekowitch5743]

Amazing how many registers he can sing through. Chest, falsetto, head. My God what a voice,

[@sejrec56]

Todd had written some very cool songs, this is a beautiful song in its own right

[@gr91861]

Heard this song and loved it through out my life early 70s in Puerto Rico. Listened to a lot of English music growing up lots of memories

[@KevinLightner_kev82668]

Todd Rundgren is soooo awesome, great singer/songwriter!

[@LunaFernx66]

Had to play this.. today is my 58th birthday. Love this song. 🙏🌻💜

[@planomathandscience]

Aired on my 8th birthday!!

[@dougfreeman7641]

Takes ya'll back to another place and time. Sure enough miss that world