2025InSongs #155 Hello – Martin Solveig & Dragonette

INTRODUCTION

Released on September 6, 2010, “Hello” is the electrifying lead single from Martin Solveig’s fifth studio album, Smash (2011). Featuring vocals from Canadian synth-pop band Dragonette, the track was co-written by Martin Solveig and Martina Sorbara (Dragonette’s lead singer), and produced solely by Solveig himself.

The song became a worldwide hit, topping charts in:

• Austria
• Belgium (Flanders)
• Czech Republic
• The Netherlands

It also reached:

• #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs (US)
• #13 on the UK Singles Chart
• #46 on the US Billboard Hot 100

“Hello” was certified Platinum in the US, UK, Italy, and several other countries, selling over 1 million units in America alone. It’s Solveig’s most successful single to date and marked Dragonette’s first major international breakthrough.

HISTORY OF THE ARTISTS: Martin Solveig & Dragonette

Martin Solveig, born in Paris in 1976, is a DJ, producer, and singer known for blending electro house, funk, and pop. He began his career in the late ’90s and gained recognition with tracks like “Madan” (with Salif Keita) and “Rocking Music.” His albums Hedonist and C’est La Vie showcased his eclectic style, but it was Smash that catapulted him into global stardom.

Dragonette, formed in Toronto, Canada, in 2005, is a synth-pop band led by Martina Sorbara (vocals), Dan Kurtz (bass/production), and Joel Stouffer (drums). Known for their edgy lyrics and danceable beats, Dragonette had already built a cult following before collaborating with Solveig. Their chemistry on “Hello” was undeniable, leading to further collaborations like “Boys & Girls.”

Together, Solveig and Dragonette created a sound that was both club-ready and radio-friendly, bridging the gap between underground dance and mainstream pop.

ON THE VIDEOCLIP: Tennis, DJs, and a Love Story

The official music video for “Hello” is a cinematic spectacle set at the Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris. It’s part of a larger visual series called Smash, directed by Martin Solveig himself and featuring:

• 🎬 Director: Martin Solveig
• 🎭 Cast:
  • Martin Solveig as himself
  • Bob Sinclar as his tennis rival
  • DJ Grégory Darsa as Lafaille (coach/manager)
  • Flo Lafaye as Solveig’s love interest
  • Novak Djokovic and Gaël Monfils in cameo roles
  • Mathilde Johansson as the lineswoman

The video unfolds like a sports drama: Solveig is losing a tennis match against Sinclar when he spots his crush in the crowd. Motivated to impress her, he stages a comeback—only to be heartbroken when Monfils kisses her in the stands. The video ends with Solveig throwing in the towel, literally.

There are two versions:

• Long version: Includes dialogue, backstory, and “to be continued” ending
• Short version (above): Focuses on the match and musical performance

The video’s quirky storytelling and celebrity cameos helped “Hello” go viral, with over 35 million views on YouTube.

TALK NERDY TO ME

“Hello” is a dance-pop track with electro house elements and a minimalist structure that makes it instantly catchy:

• 🎼 Key: E♭ Major
• ⏱️ Tempo: ~128 BPM
• 🎶 Chord Progression: E♭ – A♭ – B♭ (I–IV–V), a classic pop progression
• 🔁 Structure: Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

Chord-Melody Tension: 75/100 Chord Complexity: 2/100 Melodic Complexity: 11/100

The song’s simplicity is deceptive. The staccato vocal delivery, looped synths, and layered beats create a hypnotic groove. Martina Sorbara’s vocals are playful and flirtatious, turning the word “Hello” into a rhythmic hook.

Solveig uses sidechain compression and filter sweeps to build tension and release, a hallmark of French house production. The track’s breakdown section strips away the beat, creating space before the final chorus explodes back in.

SAMPLES & REMIXES: Who Borrowed and Who Inspired?

“Hello” has been:

• ✅ Sampled by:
  • Selena Gomez in “Nobody Does It Like You” (2013)
  • MC Mayara in “Ai Como Eu Tô Bandida” (2012)
  • NEAKO in “Hello” (2011)
• 🎧 Remixed by:
  • Bassjackers
  • Michael Woods
  • Sidney Samson
  • Dada Life
  • Dead Battery
  • Ken Loi
  • Caveat
• 🎤 Covered by:
  • The Baseballs (rockabilly version)
  • The Chipettes (for Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked)
  • Miranda! (live version on Luna Magistral)

The song’s infectious hook and universal theme made it a favorite for remixes, commercials, and TV shows—including Gossip Girl, 90210, The Vampire Diaries, and Ted Lasso.

MORE FROM MARTIN SOLVEIG

If “Hello” got you dancing, here are more tracks from Martin Solveig to explore:

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