"Hey Girl" is a song written and composed by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It first became a popular Top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1963 when recorded by Freddie Scott. Donny Osmond took the song back to the Billboard top ten chart with his cover in 1971. Billy Joel recorded a version of the song for his 1997 album Greatest Hits Volume III.
Chart performance Scott's version peaked at number ten on both the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles and R&B charts.
Chart (1963)PeakpositionCanada (CHUM Hit Parade)CHUM Hit Parade, September 9, 196320U.S. Billboard Hot 10010U.S. Billboard R&B Singles10U.S. Cash Box Top 10010
Donny Osmond version
Background Donny Osmond released a version of this song on November 6, 1971. It reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 15, 1972. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 28, 1972.
Chart performance Chart (1971–72)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)82Canada RPM Top Singles4U.S. Billboard Hot 1009U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary21U.S. Cash Box Top 1009
Certifications
Chart performance Chart (1997)PeakpositionU.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary13
Billy Joel version In 1997, "Hey Girl" was one of three cover songs Billy Joel included on his album Greatest Hits Volume III. In an interview for Billboard, Joel said of the song, "I recorded that song a few years ago. I had split up with Christie [Brinkley] and my daughter was going to live far away, and I was very sad. When I sang that song, that's who I was singing it to, my little girl."
References
External links Nichelle Nichols's 1967 cover as "Hey Boy" provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment.