Daryl Hall and John Oates are the most successful duo in the history of music. They have sold millions upon millions of records, have had countless number one smashes, and have been the voice of a generation (and are working on the next generation, too). Their sound is one so cool, so smooth, so timeless, that if angels truly exist they must sound like this. Here are my 10 favorite Hall & Oates songs of all-time.
10) Don’t Hold Back Your Love. From the 1990 album Change of Season, this lesser known gem is a band favorite that deserved a better fate. Arriving towards the end of their initial run of popularity, it was shuffled away more quickly than other songs that weren’t as good. If you haven’t heard this song you need to check it out.
9) Family Man. A cover of a 1982 song by Mike Oldfield, Hall & Oates’ version, was also released in 1982 on the H2O album. On this track, Daryl’s voice has that powerful haunt that he does oh so well. Thematically speaking, this song which is about a woman trying to seduce a married man, is a bit different from what you’d typically expect from Hall & Oates, but leave to the dynamic duo to tackle a touchy subject with complete class and dignity.
8) Rich Girl. This little beauty from 1976’s Bigger Than Both Of Us album was a bit risque for its time. Sometimes instead of saying ‘Rich Girl’ they say something that rhymes with rich. That was taboo in 1976. Rumored to be about one Daryl’s ex-girlfriend’s ex-boyfriends, they changed the lyrics to be about a rich girl, to make it more appropriate for two guys to sing back in the late 1970s. Great song.
7) She’s Gone. Originally on the 1973 album Abandoned Luncheonette, this song showcases Daryl Hall’s vocal range better than almost any other song he’s sung. The heartfelt emotion with which he sings makes you feel for him as if the song was about your own life.
6) Jingle Bell Rock. Here is a rarity – a Christmas song that is as good as, or better than, many of the other huge hits done by the artist singing it. Usually holiday songs are just done for easy sales or quick money but this song can stand side-by-side with almost any other Hall & Oates song.
5) Private Eyes. This track, from the 1981 album of the same name, reached number one 30 years ago. Has it been that long? It still sounds as fresh as it did back in the days of dinosaurs and Ronald Reagan. With a catchy chorus, above average vocals, and the as-usual great musical accompaniment, perhaps the most famous thing about the song is the hand clap. Best hand clap in music history!
4) Kiss On My List. This song, off 1980s Voices album, was another one of their six number one hit singles. It is also one of those rare famous lines/quotes that are often misquoted. Much like ‘life is like a box of chocolates’ was never said (he said ‘life was…’), the title is not Kiss Is On My List, as is sung throughout. It is Kiss On My List. Just one of those little idiosyncrasies that make life fun.
3) Out Of Touch. From the 1984 Big Bam Boom album, this song was quite well known for its interesting music video. Perhaps none of their songs have grown in popularity as much as this one has over time. For those who think that John Oates was just a mustache, he is the one who penned the lines “You’re out of touch, I’m out of time, but I’m out of my head when you’re not around.” Thank you Mr. ‘Stache.
2) Adult Education. Another of the more overlooked songs, this smash was one of two new songs from the 1983 greatest hits album Rock ‘N Soul Part 1. This song, an accurate take of life in an American high school, is as great as anything they’ve recorded. The music, especially the guitars found near the end of the track perfectly compliment the vocals and arrangement. If you ever get a chance to see the original video you are in for a treat. Imagine CBS’ Survivor if it were set in prehistoric outer space. Weird.
1) Maneater. The bass line intro, the sax solos, the eerily creepy tone, the keyboards, the lyrics, the images that spring forth to the mind every time you hear this song, it all just adds up to make Maneater not only the definitive Hall & Oates song but one of the most popular songs of the entire 1980s decade. This is perfection in motion. No wonder this song, from 1982’s H2O album, spent a full month at the top of the charts. Music doesn’t get much better than this.
