In total, the duo had 34 singles chart hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, seven RIAA platinum albums, and six RIAA gold albums. Because of that chart success, Billboard Magazine named them the most successful duo of the rock era, surpassing even The Everly Brothers. In 2003, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They were also placed #15 on the Billboard Magazine list of the 100 greatest artists of all time and the #1 duo, while VH1 placed the duo as #99 on their list of the 100 greatest artists of all time.
From their first hit in 1974 onwards, Daryl Hall and John Oates' smooth, catchy take on Philly soul brought them commercial success— including six number one singles and six platinum albums as referred to before. Hall & Oates' music was well-constructed and produced; at their best, their songs were filled with strong hooks and melodies that adhered to soul traditions without being a slave to them by incorporating elements of arena rock and new wave.
Daryl Hall, born on October 11, 1946, 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.
Don't Hold Back Your Love
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left alone with your simple dreams
But even dreams are fading fast
No one to turn to when you can't sleep at night
Waking up to another day that will soon be over
And if you think that time has forgotten you
Well just look into my eyes
Don't hold back your love
I know it's here
I want to see it come to life before my eyes
Don't hold back your love
Show me your heart
'Cause I will always be here by your side
Don't be mistaken there's still some work to do
Gotta get up every single day
Face the judge and jury
No one will notice they've got their own lives
We've got something they all want
It'll be their surprise
And if you think there is no place to run
Just hold onto my hand
And face whatever comes
One more chance to find the higher ground
One more chance before the curtain's down
One more night to turn your life around again
So Close
The lyrics of Hall & Oates's song Don't Hold Back Your Love describe a person who feels forgotten, left alone with their simple dreams, and fading hopes. However, the singer of the song extends a hand to that person, promising to stand by them, urging them not to hold back their love, and to show their heart. The lyrics express that there is still work to do and that life may present challenges, but with someone by your side, you can face whatever comes. The song encourages you to find the higher ground, to have one more chance to turn your life around and to never give up on love.
The song reflects the theme of love and hope in the face of despair. The lyrics emphasize the importance of having someone to rely on, to give love to, and to receive love from. The song encourages us to keep going, to never lose hope, and to never give up on finding love. It also suggests that no matter how difficult life may seem, there is always a chance for redemption, for turning things around, for being happy, and for finding love.
Line by Line Meaning
I know what it's like to be forgotten
I understand the feeling of being overlooked and ignored by others.
Left alone with your simple dreams
Feeling isolated in your desires, with no one to share or support them.
But even dreams are fading fast
The hope and aspirations within you are slowly disappearing.
No one to turn to when you can't sleep at night
Having no one to confide in during difficult moments, and feeling distressed and anxious.
Waking up to another day that will soon be over
Feeling as if the days go by so quickly, without purpose or meaning.
And if you think that time has forgotten you
Feeling as if time has passed you by, and that your goals and dreams are impossible to achieve.
Well just look into my eyes
Take comfort in knowing that I am here for you, ready to support you through your struggles.
And know the times we'll change
Believing that the future holds better things, and that positive changes will take place.
Don't hold back your love
Don't keep your emotions and feelings bottled up, express yourself and let love flow freely.
I know it's here
I am aware of your capacity to love, and that you are capable of giving and receiving love.
I want to see it come to life before my eyes
I desire to see your love become a reality, and to witness the positive changes it brings.
Show me your heart
Reveal your deepest thoughts and feelings to me, so that I may understand you better.
'Cause I will always be here by your side
Promising to stay by your side through thick and thin, and to support you no matter what.
Don't be mistaken there's still some work to do
Although love is powerful, it requires effort and work to make it thrive.
Gotta get up every single day
Every day presents a new opportunity to work towards your goals and aspirations.
Face the judge and jury
Confronting challenges and criticisms from others, and standing up for your beliefs.
No one will notice they've got their own lives
Other people are too preoccupied with their own lives and problems to pass judgment on yours.
We've got something they all want
Having something unique and valuable that others desire and aspire towards.
It'll be their surprise
Others will be surprised by how well you succeed, despite their doubts and criticisms.
And if you think there is no place to run
Feeling as if there is no escape from your worries and fears.
Just hold onto my hand
Taking comfort in the presence of someone who will support and guide you through difficulties.
And face whatever comes
Confronting the challenges and obstacles that come your way with strength and determination.
One more chance to find the higher ground
Every day presents an opportunity to move beyond your past mistakes and achieve greater success.
One more chance before the curtain's down
Every moment is precious, and there is no time to waste in pursuing your dreams.
One more night to turn your life around again
There is always a chance to make positive changes in your life, even if you feel you have failed in the past.
So Close
Feeling on the verge of achieving something great, and not wanting to give up before reaching your goal.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BECK HANSEN, FELIX CAVALIERE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bambushanhai
I know what it's like to be forgotten
Left alone with your simple dreams
But even dreams are fading fast
No one to turn to when you can't sleep at night
Waking up to another day that will soon be over
And if you think that time has forgotten you
Well just look into my eyes
And know the times we'll change
Don't hold back your love
I know it's here
I wanna see it come to life before my eyes
Don't hold back your love
Show me your heart
Cause I will always be here by your side
Don't be mistaken there's still some work to do
Gotta get up every single day
Face the judge and jury
No one will notice they've got their own lives
We've got something they all want
It'll be their surprise
And if you think there is no place to run
Just hold onto my hand
And face whatever comes
Don't hold back your love
I know it's here
I wanna see it come to life before my eyes
Don't hold back your love
Show me your heart
Cause I will always be here by your side
One more chance to find the higher ground
One more chance before the curtain's down
One more night to turn your life around again
Don't hold back your love
I know it's here
I wanna see it come to life before my eyes
Don't hold back your love
Show me your heart
Cause I will always be here by your side
@robynmatheson7687
This is my favorite Hall and Oates song. The lyrics are so beautiful, and I find that people just don’t remember this one.
@acsoj4375
I just recently discovered Hall & Oates and have been listening to them nonstop for the last few weeks. Best musical discovery I’ve ever made.
@paulbergman2984
Yes, one of the best duo’s of all time. Many, many, great songs by these two.
@thomasfafalios1034
They are the most talented music artists in the history of music! Nobody had all this!
@garycarr3857
@@paulbergman2984 Daryl Hall & John Oates Don't Hold Back Your Love 1990
@garycarr3857
@@thomasfafalios1034 1990
@lisagraydon356
Congrats on your amazing discovery!
@adityakumardsv
This has to be one of the best songs by Darryl Hall and John Oates. It is overwhelming to have lived through some of the greatest years of music the 70's and 80's. Thank you for uploading this classic and keeping good music alive.
@joanncurrier1415
adityakumardsv it is the best song I agree
@marybennett4160
The very Top for sure. ♥️🌹🎶