"Ariel" is a hit single written and performed by Dean Friedman, released in April, 1977. It was the first of two hits from Friedman's eponymous debut LP, Friedman. "Ariel," however, was his only hit in North America. It reached number 26 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 17 on the Cash Box Top 100, and number 19 in Canada. The song spent 22 weeks on the Billboard chart and 24 weeks on Cash Box. Chicago radio superstation WLS, which gave the song much airplay, ranked "Ariel" as the 60th most popular hit of 1977.It reached as high as number four on their survey of August 20, 1977.