The Bottom Line
Every once in a while a love song rises to the top of the pop music world that strikes a perfect chord with a wide spectrum of pop music fans. "Hey There Delilah" expresses young love irresistibly. The song is a goldmine for the band Plain White T's, but it also raises a very high bar for the success of future singles.
Listen to "Hey There Delilah."
Pros
- Pitch perfect expression of young love
- Wistful tone from the strings
- Words that encourage singing along
Cons
- Vocals are somewhat lifeless
Description
- Strummed acoustic guitar intro
- Slightly raspy vocals
- Simple chord changes augmented by slightly mournful strings
Guide Review - Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah
If you are a rock music fan, the near-perfect instrumental arrangement of "Hey There Delilah" chooses a wistful tone to avoid any overly saccharine notes. If your tastes lean toward adult contemporary, the gentle ballad will remind you of the vast world of treasured 70's soft rock. For pop fans that fall somewhere in between, the song is an example of a love ballad that just works...it's an instant connection.
The success of the song presents a problem for Plain White T's. "Hey There Delilah" is a left-field tune for the band. Most of their work tends toward the louder pop punk realm, so it may be difficult to satisfy many of the fans of this song. The advantage is that a very large group of music fans are likely to indulge in at least one more song by the group.
If you are like most pop music fans, you'll feel an instant connection with Delilah and her suitor. Go ahead, indulge, and let the wistful spirit wash over you. Enjoy the emotion as it flows. This is exactly how simple, straightforward love songs are supposed to make you feel.
