The album was Simon's last for Warner Bros. (and for what became the Warner Music Group, having also spent time with Elektra Records), as it was a commercial
The album title refers to the reply that Simon's mother, Andrea Simon, gave to her father, Richard Simon, when they first met. He said "hello little woman", and she replied "hello big man".
Don Grolnick – electric piano (1, 6), synthesizers (2), steel drums (2), acoustic piano (3), organ (4, 10)
Rick Marotta – drums (1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10), cymbals (5), tom tom (5)
Jimmy Bralower – LinnDrum (1, 5, 9)
Sly Dunbar – drums (4, 7)
Errol "Crusher" Bennett – percussion (4, 7, 10)
Mike Mainieri – synthesizers (1, 5), chimes (2), marimba (2), acoustic piano (5), bass (5), additional synthesizers (8)
Tony Levin – bass (1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10)
Robbie Shakespeare – bass (4, 7), backing vocals (7)
Marcus Miller – backing vocals (1, 4), bass (8)
Carly Simon – lead vocals, backing vocals (1–4, 7, 8, 9), acoustic guitar (3, 6), electric guitar (9)
Hugh McCracken – acoustic guitar (1, 6, 8), electric guitar (2, 3, 8, 10)
Andy Summers – electric guitar (1)
Elliott Randall – electric guitar solo (1)
Eric Gale – electric guitar (4, 7)
Jimmy Ryan – acoustic guitar (5)
Dean Parks – electric guitar (6)
Sid McGinnis – electric guitar (7)
Peter Wood – Memorymoog (1, 6, 8, 10), acoustic piano (2, 8)
Tawatha Agee – backing vocals (1, 4)
Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals (1, 4)
Hugh Taylor – backing vocals (2, 3)
Kate Taylor – backing vocals (2, 3)
Lynn Goldsmith – backing vocals (2)
Lucy Simon – backing vocals (2)
Julie Levine – backing vocals (2)
Ben Taylor – backing vocals (2)
Sally Taylor – backing vocals (2)
Elizabeth Witham – backing vocals (2)
Rachel Zabar – backing vocals (2)
Larry Williams – synth flutes (1)
Rob Mounsey – Fairlight programming (2), BGV arrangements (2)
Marty Paich – string arrangements (3, 6)
Leon Pendarvis – horn arrangements (4)
Lou Marini – alto saxophone (4)
Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone (4)
Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone (4)
Jon Faddis – trumpet (4)
Alan Rubin – trumpet (4)
David Sanborn – alto saxophone (8)
Producer – Mike Mainieri
Production Coordination – Christine Martin
Engineers – Neil Dorfsman and Scott Litt
Additional Recording – James Farber, Jeff Hendrickson, Gary Starr and John Wright.
Assistant Recording – Moira Marquis, Bill Miranda and John Wright.
Technical Support – Bob Schwall
Mixed by Frank Filipetti at Right Track Recording (New York, NY).
Art Direction and Design – Paula Greif
Cover Photography – Lynn Kohlman
Inner Sleeve Photography – Peter Simon
Management – Arlyne Rothberg
