Hildebrand and Jackson were attending Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas in 1962 when a local DJ asked listeners to come to the studio and sing their songs to help the American Cancer Society. The duo sang a song called "Hey Paula," which Hildebrand wrote, and were encouraged by everyone in town to make a record of it.
Shelby Singleton of Mercury Records eventually signed them, but not before changing their professional name (Singleton reasoned that a pair named Ray and Jill singing about "Hey, hey Paula" and "Hey, hey Paul" didn't quite make sense). The pairing of Paul & Paula was credited with inspiring other famous male/female pairings down the line, mostly from record companies that had originally turned the duo down in 1962: Jerry Butler was quickly paired with Betty Everett, and Marvin Gaye was paired with a number of female partners before Motown finally settled on Tammi Terrell.
The duo put out two regular albums and a Christmas-themed album after the success of "Hey Paula", which sold over two million copies in early 1963, charting to N1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the entire month of February. Their follow-up, "Young Lovers," reached N6 on the Billboard charts later in 1963.
In 1965, Hildebrand left the act to complete his college education, having decided that a future in show business was not for him. He made this decision in the middle of a Dick Clark Caravan of Stars road trip, and Clark had to fill in at the last minute.
Jackson went on with a solo career and Hildebrand returned to singing in the 1980s in the Christian duo Land & Hildebrand.
Subsequently, the duo got together from time-to-time to sing as "Paul and Paula" for special events.
Hey Paula
Paul & Paula Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to marry you
Hey, hey, Paula
No one else could ever do
I've waited so long for school to be through
Paula, I can't wait no more for you
My love, my love
I've been waiting for you
Hey, hey, hey, Paul
I want to marry you too
If you love me true
If you love me still
Our love will always be real
My love, my love
True love means planning a life for two
Being together the whole day through
True love means waiting and hoping that soon
Wishes we've made will come true
My love, my love
Hey, hey, Paula
I've been waiting for you
Hey, hey, hey, Paul
I want to marry you too
True love means planning a life for two
Being together the whole day through
True love means waiting and hoping that soon
Wishes we've made will come true
My love, my love
The song "Hey Paula" by Paul and Paula is a nostalgic love song about two young lovers who are deeply in love with each other. In the song, the male lead, Paul, professes his love and his desire to marry Paula, and asks for her hand in marriage. Paula responds in kind, saying that she has been waiting for him as well and that she too wants to get married to him. The song is a beautiful expression of first love and the longing to be with one's significant other forever.
The lyrics of the song also touch upon the idea of true love and what it means to be in a committed relationship. The singers emphasize that true love requires patience, planning, and a willingness to wait for things to happen. The repeated refrain of "My love, my love" adds to the sentimentality of the song and reinforces the theme of enduring love.
Overall, "Hey Paula" is a classic love song that has stood the test of time. It captures the feelings of young love and the desire to be with one's soulmate. The melody and lyrics of the song continue to be beloved by audiences and serve as a reminder of the power of love.
Some interesting facts about "Hey Paula" are:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, Paula
Greetings Paula.
I want to marry you
I desire to have you as my lawfully wedded wife.
No one else could ever do
No other person can take your place as my companion.
I've waited so long for school to be through
I had to endure waiting for my education to be completed.
Paula, I can't wait no more for you
I am impatient and can no longer bear my anticipation for you.
My love, my love
You are the person I cherish the most.
Hey, Paul
Greetings Paul.
I've been waiting for you
I have waited for your response.
I want to marry you too
I also desire to be united with you in matrimony.
If you love me true
If you truly love me.
If you love me still
If your affections for me are still present.
Our love will always be real
Our love for each other will always be genuine.
True love means planning a life for two
Real love entails arranging a life for two individuals.
Being together the whole day through
Spending the entire day in each other's company.
True love means waiting and hoping that soon
Genuine love requires patience and optimism.
Wishes we've made will come true
Our desires and aspirations will come to fruition.
My love, my love
You are the person I hold dearest in my heart.
Hey, hey, Paula
Greetings Paula.
I've been waiting for you
I have been anticipating your arrival.
Hey, hey, hey, Paul
Greetings Paul.
I want to marry you too
I also wish to be joined with you in marriage.
True love means planning a life for two
Real affection entails coordinating a life for two individuals.
Being together the whole day through
Spending the entire day in each other's company.
True love means waiting and hoping that soon
Genuine love requires patience and optimism.
Wishes we've made will come true
Our desires and aspirations will come to fruition.
My love, my love
You are the person I adore above all others.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Hildebrand
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brett Smith
Hey, hey Paula, I wanna marry you
Hey, hey Paula, no one else could ever do
I've waited so long for school to be through
Paula, I can't wait no more for you
My love, my love
Hey Paul, I've been waiting for you
Hey, hey, hey Paul, I want to marry you too
If you love me true, if you love me still, our love will always be real
My love, my love
True love means planning a life for two
Being together the whole day through
True love means waiting and hoping that soon, wishes we've made will come true
My love, my love
Hey, hey Paula, I've been waiting for you
Hey, hey Paul, I want to marry you too
True love means planning a life for two
Being together the whole day through
True love means waiting and hoping that soon, wishes we've made will come true
My love, my love
Songwriters: Hildebrand Raymond Glenn
Soul Train
time goes by so quickly and songs like this brings back memories
Rangga Aji Baskara
my grandfather really likes this song. He always sang this with my mother. Such good old days
Paula Browning
One of my favorite love songs from that era. I guess I'm a little biased since my name is Paula. They have beautiful voices:)
BIGLOVE4TRUTH
Hey hey Paula..
billy smith
Hey Paula i was born in 1952. went to school Valatie NY
David Ross
Loved this song; Singers and songs at their best.
paula brown
Rest in Peace Ray Hildebrand. Had a few fellows sing this to me as my name is Paula.
Pesok
wow its been 60years this year - remember watching all guests dance and fall in love with this new song at the 40th wedding anniversary - how time flies
765kvline
Great song and well written. Many memories. Ray will be missed.
martin sadl
Whilst at college in 1963, I worked as a waiter at functions in a large London Hotel. Paul and Paula were the star act at the cabaret one evening. They passed me in a corridor as they made their way to sing. My first brush with fame! 😆