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.
Talking to You
Daryl Hall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But every day itβs like it was a first night
Sweet dreams
Your dreaming doesnβt matter
When youβre wide awake
All the patterns scatter
If you run away and donβt listen to me
Youβre only hurting on your own
Talking to you is like talking to myself
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Talking to you is like talking to myself
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Youβre sleeping in while thereβs a riot rollinβ down
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Canβt you understand we got a good thing goinβ on
Good thing goinβ
Iβm saying thereβs too much noise around
You live behind a wall of unrelated sound
Are you hearing me? Cause I couldnβt tell
Is it βOoo yeahβ or is it just βOh wellβ
Talking to you is like talking to myself
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Talking to you is like talking to myself
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Youβre sleeping in while thereβs a riot rollinβ down
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Canβt you understand we got a good thing goinβ on
Good thing goinβ on
Shine on prove to me
Something real someone can see
Is it sand or gold dust in my hand?
Talking to you is like talking to myself
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Talking to you is like talking to myself
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Youβre sleeping in while thereβs a riot rollinβ down
(Talking to you is like talking to myself)
Canβt you understand we got a good thing goinβ on
Canβt you hear me? Canβt you hear me?
Talking to you is like talking to myself
The lyrics to Daryl Hall's song "Talking To You" speak to the frustration one can feel when trying to communicate with someone who seems unreachable. The singer is trying his best to make a relationship work, but it seems like he is talking to himself. Every day is like a first night, and although he dreams of a successful outcome, reality doesn't align with those expectations. The person he is talking to appears oblivious to the trouble around them and is unwilling to hear out the singer, instead choosing to live "behind a wall of unrelated sound."
The chorus repeats the phrase "talking to you is like talking to myself," emphasizing the singer's sense of helplessness and futility. The person he is addressing is sleeping in while a riot is rolling down, displaying a lack of awareness and urgency towards what is happening around them. The singer tries to emphasize that they have a "good thing goin' on" but also acknowledges that there is "too much noise around" and questions whether his words are even being heard. The final line of the song repeats the frustration felt throughout, as the singer pleads, "can't you hear me?"
Overall, "Talking To You" is a relatable song for anyone who has experienced a communication breakdown in a relationship. The song highlights the importance of active listening and paying attention to what is happening around us, rather than getting lost in our own dreams and illusions.
Line by Line Meaning
I try, try to make it right
I put effort in to fix things between us
But every day it's like it was a first night
Our relationship feels fresh and new every day
Sweet dreams
I wish you well in your sleep
Your dreaming doesn't matter
Your dreams don't affect reality
When you're wide awake
Real life can be unpredictable
All the patterns scatter
Things don't always go as expected
If you run away and don't listen to me
Leaving without communicating will only hurt you
You're only hurting on your own
You'll suffer the consequences alone
Talking to you is like talking to myself
You're not listening to me or understanding my point of view
You're sleeping in while there's a riot rollin' down
You're ignoring the chaos around us
Can't you understand we got a good thing goin' on
We have a strong relationship worth preserving
I'm saying there's too much noise around
There are too many distractions in our lives
You live behind a wall of unrelated sound
You're surrounded by noise that doesn't matter
Are you hearing me? Cause I couldn't tell
I'm not sure if you're listening to me
Is it 'Ooo yeah' or is it just 'Oh well'
Are you enthusiastic about our relationship or indifferent?
Shine on prove to me
Show me that you're committed and reliable
Something real someone can see
Demonstrate your love in tangible ways
Is it sand or gold dust in my hand?
Is our relationship valuable or just fleeting?
Can't you hear me? Can't you hear me?
Please listen to me and understand my perspective
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JOE JONES, REGINALD HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
gitarzan1
Such an incredibly good song...I can't believe this doesn't get massive airplay but I am hearing it more than I did. Rock on Daryl!
John Hancock
Now at 72 years of age he still sounds like he did when he was in his 30's.
Christian Stewart
I think he is even better π
Anja G Semmler
Daryl's talent is legendary in my heart & soul anyway. Inspiration to me.
Brigitte Preuss
I love the voice of Dayrl Hall, watching his career since Maneater was released in Germany 1982 ππππ
Gloria Busana
Anch'io amo lui e la sua voce dal 1982β€β€β€β€β€β€β€β€πππ
Soapstef S
Love, love, love! Daryl's voice is still 100% soulful and amazing.
Gotyerulez
Ah Daryl, you never disappoint man. Guy is in his early 60's and blowsaway the young bucks.
richmeister22
Been a huge Hall and Oates fan since my teen yrs in the 80's. Didn't find this song till this morning. OMG great tune.
Tony Sharples
Snap! Always been a fan and I only found it a week ago. Addicted