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.
Realove
Daryl Hall & John Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One child so blind with the stars in her eyes
So why do you think that could be right
She tries but there ain't no way to buy second sight
Oh those Eastern ways on Western nites
I want to be the heart of your desire
ReaLove is a passion play
You mean to make him take it your way
I know his mind is in the shadows
He'll take you all the way through midnite
So sad you can't run but you can't fight
Oh those Eastern ways on Western nites
I want to be the heart of your desire
ReaLove is a passion play
ReaLove is a passion play
The lyrics of Realove by Daryl Hall and John Oates speak of a person's quest for true love, and the different beliefs and approaches towards it. It starts with one man's advice to look towards heaven for true love, but the child with "stars in her eyes" expresses confusion and doubt about this. The lyrics then suggest that the singer tries to find love "his way," but recognizes that there is no shortcut to gaining insight into the other person's mind and heart.
The song also touches upon the differences between Eastern and Western perspectives on love and relationships. The lines "Oh those Eastern ways on Western nites" suggest a fascination and perhaps a struggle with reconciling the two. Finally, the lyrics convey a sense of resignation to fate and the pain of being unable to run away from love, even when it feels difficult or wrong.
Overall, the song reflects on the complexities of love and the human experience, presented through poetic and evocative lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
One man says, "Look to heaven for true love"
A man suggests that true love can be found by looking towards the heavens.
One child so blind with the stars in her eyes
A child is so enamored with her dreams that she cannot see clearly.
So why do you think that could be right
The singer questions why the man's advice would lead to true love.
She tries but there ain't no way to buy second sight
Despite her efforts, she cannot purchase the gift of foresight which would help her see the truth.
Oh those Eastern ways on Western nites
The contrast between Eastern and Western cultures is highlighted.
I want to be the heart of your desire
The singer desires to be at the center of their partner's passion.
ReaLove is a passion play
True love is a performance of intense emotions and desires.
You mean to make him take it your way
The singer accuses their partner of trying to manipulate the man into fulfilling their desires.
I know his mind is in the shadows
The man's thoughts and intentions are unclear and uncertain.
He'll take you all the way through midnite
The man will take the woman on a journey that lasts until midnight.
So sad you can't run but you can't fight
The situation is regrettable since the woman feels trapped and unable to change her circumstances.
Oh those Eastern ways on Western nites
The difference between Eastern and Western customs is once again highlighted.
I want to be the heart of your desire
The singer restates their desire to be the central focus of their partner's passion.
ReaLove is a passion play
The importance of intense feelings and desires in true love is emphasized once more.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN OATES, DARYL HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind