Daryl Hall began performing professionally while he was a student at Temple University. In 1966, he recorded a single with Kenny Gamble and the Romeos; the group featured Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, who would all become the architects of Philly soul. During this time, Hall frequently appeared on sessions for Gamble and Huff. In 1967, Hall met John Oates, a fellow Temple University student. Oates was leading his own soul band at the time. The two students realized they had similar tastes and began performing together in an array of R&B and doo wop groups. By 1968, the duo had parted ways, as Oates transferred schools and Hall formed the soft rock band Gulliver; the group released one album on Elektra in the late '60s before disbanding.
After Gulliver's breakup, Hall concentrated on session work again, appearing as a backup vocalist for The Stylistics, The Delfonics, and The Intruders, among others. Oates returned to Philadelphia in 1969, and he and Hall began writing folk-oriented songs and performing together. Eventually they came to the attention of Tommy Mottola, who quickly became their manager, securing the duo a contract with Atlantic Records. On their first records — Whole Oates (1972), Abandoned Luncheonette (1973), War Babies (1974) — the duo were establishing their sound, working with producers like Arif Mardin and Todd Rundgren and removing much of their folk influences. At the beginning of 1974, the duo relocated from Philadelphia to New York. During this period, they only managed one hit — the number 60 "She's Gone" in the spring of 1974.
After they moved to RCA in 1975, the duo landed on its successful mixture of soul, pop, and rock, scoring a Top Ten single with "Sara Smile." The success of "Sara Smile" prompted the re-release of "She's Gone," which rocketed into the Top Ten as well. Released in the summer of 1976, Bigger than the Both of Us was only moderately successful upon its release. The record took off in early 1977, when "Rich Girl" became the duo's first number one single.
Although they had several minor hits between 1977 and 1980, the albums Hall & Oates released at the end of the decade were not as successful as their mid-'70s records. Nevertheless, they were more adventurous, incorporating more rock elements into their blue-eyed soul. The combination would finally pay off in late 1980, when the duo released the self-produced Voices, the album that marked the beginning of Hall & Oates' greatest commercial and artistic success. The first single from Voices, a cover of Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," reached number 12, yet it was the second single, "Kiss on My List" that confirmed their commercial potential by becoming the duo's second number one single; its follow-up, "You Make My Dreams" hit number five. They quickly released Private Eyes in the summer of 1981; the record featured two number one hits, "Private Eyes" and "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)," as well as the Top Ten hit "Did It in a Minute." "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" also spent a week at the top of the R&B charts — a rare accomplishment for a white act. H20 followed in 1982 and it proved more successful than their two previous albums, selling over two million copies and launching their biggest hit single, "Maneater," as well as the Top Ten hits "One on One" and "Family Man." The following year, the duo released a greatest-hits compilation, Rock 'N Soul, Pt. 1, that featured two new Top Ten hits — the number two "Say It Isn't So" and "Adult Education."
In April of 1984, the Recording Industry Association of America announced that Hall & Oates had surpassed Everly Brothers as the most successful duo in rock history, earning a total of 19 gold and platinum awards. Released in October of 1984, Big Bam Boom expanded their number of gold and platinum awards, selling over two million copies and launching four Top 40 singles, including the number one "Out of Touch." Following their contract-fulfilling gold album Live at the Apollo with David Ruffin & Eddie Kendrick, Hall & Oates went on hiatus. After the lukewarm reception for Daryl Hall's 1986 solo album, Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine, the duo regrouped to release 1988's Ooh Yeah!, their first record for Arista. The first single, "Everything Your Heart Desires," went to number three and helped propel the album to platinum status.
However, none of the album's other singles broke the Top 20, indicating that the era of chart dominance had ended. Change of Season, released in 1990, confirmed that fact. Although the record went gold, it only featured one Top 40 hit — the number 11 single, "So Close." The duo mounted a comeback in 1997 with Marigold Sky, but it was only partially successful; far better was 2003's Do It for Love and the following year soul covers record Our Kind of Soul.
Do What You Want Be What You Are
Daryl Hall & John Oates Lyrics
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There ain't no right or wrong way
Just a play from the heart
It ain't a sign of weakness to give yourself away
Because the strong give up and move on
While the weak, the weak give up and stay
So do what you wanna do
What you wanna do
What you wanna do
But be what you are
Be what you are
Do what you wanna do
What you wanna do
What you wanna do
What you wanna do
But be what you are
Be what you are
Do you believe in hot cars
Leather bars, or movie stars
Is that what's real?
Payin' dues, in earth shoes, Chicago blues
Is that how you feel?
You can change
You can change
You can change
You can change
But you can't conceal
What's deep inside you
It's your game, it's your deal
It's your game, it's your deal
Do what you wanna do
What you wanna do
What you wanna do
What you wanna do
But be what you are
Be what you are
Do what you wanna do
What you wanna do
What you wanna do
What you wanna do
But be what you are
Be what you are
Do what you want to, girl
You can be what you wanna
You can do what you wanna
You can do, you can be
You could do, you could be
You can
You can change
You can change
You can change
You can change
Woo, you can be what you wanna, girl
Ooh, girl
You can, you can be, you can be, you can be
Oh, ooh, girl
You can be what you wanna, girl
Oh, girl
You can be what you want
You can do, you can do
You can change
You can change
You can change
You can change
Baby girl
Don't worry, girl
Don't worry, girl
You can do
You can do
You can do
Ooh, you can be what you wanna
Woo
You can do it
You can do it
You can do it
You can change
You can change
You can change
You can change
You can change
You can be what you wanna
The song "Do What You Want Be What You Are" by Daryl Hall & John Oates is about being true to oneself and embracing one's individuality. The lyrics encourage the listener to do what makes them happy and be who they truly are without trying to live up to anyone else's expectations. The first verse states that there are no right or wrong ways to live life and that one should follow their heart. It also suggests that vulnerability can be a strength, as those who are strong can give up and move on while those who are weak can give up and stay stuck.
The chorus repeats the phrase "do what you wanna do, but be what you are" to reinforce the idea that the listener should pursue their dreams and passions but not compromise their true selves in the process. The second verse questions the listener's beliefs and preferences and asks whether they are authentic or just a facade. The bridge states that while one can change on the surface, they cannot conceal what is truly inside of them. The song ends with a repeated encouragement to "be what you wanna be" and "do what you wanna do."
Overall, "Do What You Want Be What You Are" is a powerful reminder to be true to oneself and embrace who we are without fear of judgement or rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
Do what you want girl, but be what you are
You have the freedom to do whatever you want in life, but always stay true to who you are and your beliefs.
There ain't no right or wrong way
There is no set path that one should take in life as everyone is different and should follow their own unique journey.
Just a play from the heart
People should follow their hearts and do what fulfills them emotionally as that will lead to true happiness.
It ain't a sign of weakness to give yourself away
Being vulnerable and sharing your true self with others is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength and courage.
Because the strong give up and move on
Strong individuals recognize when it's time to let go of things that no longer serve them and move on to new challenges.
While the weak, the weak give up and stay
Weak people give up too easily and tend to remain stagnant in their lives.
Do what you wanna do
Do things that excite you and fulfill your passions.
But be what you are
Always stay true to who you are as a person and what you believe in.
Do you believe in hot cars
Are material possessions such as expensive cars important to you?
Leather bars, or movie stars
Do you place importance on things such as nightlife and celebrities?
Is that what's real?
Are these superficial things what you consider to be reality?
Payin' dues, in earth shoes, Chicago blues
Do you value hard work and appreciate certain cultural experiences such as musical genres?
Is that how you feel?
Do these things align with your personal values and beliefs?
You can change
It's always possible to change or improve oneself if desired.
But you can't conceal
However, one can't hide who they truly are, as their true self will eventually shine through.
What's deep inside you
One's true self is what's inside, such as their values and beliefs.
It's your game, it's your deal
Life is a game that you have control over, and it's up to you to make the deals that benefit you and align with your values.
Do what you want to, girl
Reinforcing the message that you have the power to do what you want in life.
You can be what you wanna
You have the power to be whoever you want to be and pursue any goals you set for yourself.
You can do what you wanna
You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.
Don't worry, girl
Don't stress too much about life, as you have the power to shape it into what you want it to be.
You can do
You have the power to take action and make progress towards your goals.
You can change
Change is always possible and within your control.
Woo, you can be what you wanna, girl
Reiterating the message that you have the power to be whoever you want to be and pursue any goals you set for yourself.
You can do it
Reinforcing the idea that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daryl Hall, John Oates
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind