“You Should Hear How She Talks About You”: A Bittersweet Melody of Unspoken Affection
Ah, the early 1980s. A time when the airwaves were a delightful tapestry of emerging sounds, a bridge between the sophisticated balladry of the ’70s and the synth-driven pop of the new decade. And then, there was Melissa Manchester, a voice as familiar and comforting as an old friend, who, in 1982, gave us a truly unexpected gem: “You Should Hear How She Talks About You.” This wasn’t just another song; it was a phenomenon that captured hearts and topped charts, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 on the Cash Box Top 100, No. 10 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, and even No. 8 on Billboard’s Disco/Dance chart. It was a massive success, the highest-charting single of her illustrious career, and it even earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1983, an impressive feat considering her competition included powerhouse vocalists like Laura Branigan, Juice Newton, Olivia Newton-John, and Linda Ronstadt.
Now, for those of us who remember, Melissa Manchester was already a respected figure in the music world. She had graced us with heartfelt ballads like “Midnight Blue” and “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” her rich, emotive voice perfectly suited for tales of tender emotions and introspective reflections. But “You Should Hear How She Talks About You” was a delightful curveball. Released from her album “Hey Ricky,” this track was a departure, a vibrant, synth-infused dance-pop confection that practically dared you not to tap your feet. It’s said that even Melissa herself had to be “dragged kicking and screaming” into the studio to record it, a testament to its unexpected nature for an artist known for her more classic, troubadour style. Yet, producer Arif Mardin saw the potential, recognizing that “music is music. You can’t turn your back on new formats or styles.” And how right he was.
The story behind this song, penned by the talented duo Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow, is as charming as the melody itself. Pitchford revealed that the lyrical concept drew inspiration from a classic: The Beatles’ “She Loves You.” The idea was to capture the essence of someone relaying second-hand news of adoration – “the idea of somebody reporting to somebody else on hearing this girl’s in love with you, or this boy’s in love with you.” Snow had the musical framework, and Pitchford brought the iconic hook, initially “You should hear the way she talks about you,” which Snow wisely tweaked to the more conversational and catchy “You Should Hear How She Talks About You.”
And what does it all mean? At its heart, “You Should Hear How She Talks About You” is a joyful whisper, a friend or confidante excitedly sharing delightful gossip about a secret admirer. It’s the delightful revelation that someone you might have feelings for, or perhaps someone you haven’t even considered in that light, is absolutely smitten with you. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this unseen admirer’s effusive praise: “She says she would be lost without you / She’s half out of her head… She just can’t get enough / She is really in love.” It’s a song of potential, of validation, and of the sweet thrill of discovering you’re cherished. It’s the moment when the pieces click, and you realize that all those subtle glances and lingering conversations had a deeper meaning. For many of us, it evokes memories of those early crushes, the nervous excitement, and the sheer elation of hearing through the grapevine that your feelings might just be reciprocated. It’s a universal sentiment, wrapped in an undeniably infectious beat, reminding us that sometimes, the most profound declarations of love are heard through someone else’s loving words. It’s a testament to how a song, initially perceived as a stylistic shift, could resonate so deeply by tapping into a feeling as old as time itself.