His mother played songs by Frank Sinatra to him as a child, and he later became a fan of Motown and other R&B/soul music. He took piano lessons as a child, but he did not like them. He would skip the lessons and ride his bicycle across the bridge from his grandfather's farm over to the heart of the black "Chicken Hill" ghetto, where he could just listen and absorb the music.
In the 1960s, Hall attended Temple University, but did not graduate, preferring instead to spend his time singing on the street corners and play with various musicians and groups. At that time, Daryl Hohl (as he was called then) sang backup for different bands. He eventually changed his last name to Hall. Daryl Hall idolized the Temptations and began to perform session work as a singer. He first met John Oates at a band competition.
After John transferred to a different school, Daryl joined the band Gulliver, which released one eponymous album in 1969 before being dropped from their label.
Daryl is the host of the wildly popular online show entitled "Live From Daryl's House", where Daryl and the band collaborate with artists from various musical genres on the 15th of each month. The first episode aired in 2007, and it's still going strong. Best of all, it's free to watch.
Sacred Songs
Daryl Hall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like to read and I like to write
But you could persuade me to put the book down tonight
Just please don't ask to be a song heroine
It's not that easy just to stick you in, stick you in
Oh babe, I know you're right
But there's no time and it's not the night
Although you know I'd like to stick you in, stick you in
They're all sacred songs
They're not easily won
You know the words just seem to live on
The thoughts are sacred
Though the sound is profane
But this and that you know they're
One and the same
One and the same
One and the one and the same
You never know how you're gonna end
I start out hard and I end up thin
You waste your time but you occasionally score
But you can't tell from what went down before, down before
Oh babe, do you see my point?
There's just no time and it's not the night
I'd have to face you again and again
Although you know I'd like to stick it in, stick it in
They're all sacred songs
They're not easily won
You know the words just seem to live on
The thoughts are sacred
Though the sound is profane
But this and that you know they're
One and the same
One and the same
One and the one and the same
Daryl Hall's "Sacred Songs" tells the story of a writer who struggles to balance his desire for artistic expression with his personal life. The opening verses describe the writer's inability to focus on his writing due to the presence of a romantic interest. He acknowledges their compatibility, yet ultimately cannot prioritize their relationship over his art. Throughout the song, Hall emphasizes the value of the songwriter's work as "sacred songs," despite their often-profanity-laced content. The lyrics capture the tension between the sacred nature of creative expression and the perceived immorality of certain artistic choices.
The chorus repeats the phrase "They're all sacred songs" as a reflection of the writer's belief that no matter the content, there is something fundamentally valuable and revered about the creative process. The bridge uses the phrase "you never know how you're gonna end" to reflect the uncertainty of the creative process and the inevitability of self-doubt. Despite the challenges presented, the writer acknowledges that he cannot resist the pull of his artistic passions.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the complexities and contradictions of creative expression, as well as a celebration of its enduring significance.
Line by Line Meaning
I like to read and I like to write
I enjoy both reading and writing
But you could persuade me to put the book down tonight
You have the power to convince me to stop reading and spend time with you tonight
Just please don't ask to be a song heroine
Please don't request to be a central character in one of my songs
It's not that easy just to stick you in, stick you in
It's not simple to just include you in a song
Oh babe, I know you're right
I understand that you are correct
But there's no time and it's not the night
Unfortunately, there is not enough time tonight to address this issue
I'd have to face you again and again
If I were to include you in a song, I would constantly have to confront you
Although you know I'd like to stick you in, stick you in
Despite my hesitation, I am still attracted to the idea of including you in a song
They're all sacred songs
My songs are all important and meaningful
They're not easily won
Writing a good song is not a simple task
You know the words just seem to live on
My songs have a lasting impact and continue to be meaningful to people
The thoughts are sacred
The concepts expressed in my songs are important and meaningful
Though the sound is profane
Despite the sometimes vulgar language, the themes in my songs are still important
But this and that you know they're
Despite their differences, both the musical and lyrical aspects of my songs are important
One and the same
Overall, my songs are a harmonious combination of musical and lyrical elements
You never know how you're gonna end
It's impossible to predict how things will turn out
I start out hard and I end up thin
My initial enthusiasm often fades and I struggle to complete things
You waste your time but you occasionally score
You can spend a lot of time working towards something, but sometimes you achieve success
But you can't tell from what went down before, down before
It's difficult to predict future success based on past experiences
Oh babe, do you see my point?
Do you understand what I am trying to say?
There's just no time and it's not the night
I don't have the time or energy to discuss this further tonight
Although you know I'd like to stick it in, stick it in
Even though I am interested, now is not the right time to address this
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DARYL HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Harold Chernofsky
on Rich Girl - Remastered 2003
amazing group