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.
Everywhere I Look
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We have an understanding but that can't carry soul far enough
Green flag is rising and baby green means go
New world on the horizon
And who deserves the love more than you
More than me
Both of us
Can't you see
Everywhere I look I see people waking up
So why are we still sleeping
Everywhere I look I see people shaking off all the old ways
So why can't we follow through
What we believe has got to be more than the words of our friends
Honey I love the life but I'd fight for our world not to end
Green flag is rising and baby green means go
There's something on the horizon
And who deserves to know more than you
More than me
All of us
Can't you see
Everywhere I look I see people waking up
So why are we still sleeping
Everywhere I look I see people shaking off all the old ways
So why can't we follow through
The lyrics to Hall & Oates's song "Everywhere I Look" touch on the theme of change, hope, and the need for action. The opening lines suggest that while people try to be honest and understanding, sometimes being serious gets in the way of true connection. The reference to the "green flag" rising suggests a signal for change and the "new world on the horizon" hints at a brighter future. The lines, "who deserves the love more than you, more than me, both of us, can't you see," highlight the importance of unity and cooperation in creating a better world.
The next verse speaks of the need to go beyond words and to take action in preserving the planet. "I'd fight for our world not to end" shows a sense of urgency and responsibility for the environment. The repeated chorus emphasizes the idea that change is already happening and that people need to wake up and shake off old ways. The final lines, "so why can't we follow through," suggest that although change is possible, more effort is required to make it a reality.
Line by Line Meaning
We always try to be so honest but we're so serious
We strive for authenticity, but our approach may be too somber and lacking in vitality.
We have an understanding but that can't carry soul far enough
We may have a mutual agreement, but it is not sufficient to fulfill our emotional needs.
Green flag is rising and baby green means go
An opportunity is emerging and it's time to take action.
New world on the horizon
A better future is possible and within sight.
And who deserves the love more than you
You are worthy of love and affection.
More than me
As much as myself, if not more.
Both of us
Each of us equally.
Can't you see
Don't you understand?
Everywhere I look I see people waking up
I observe a global awakening to consciousness and awareness.
So why are we still sleeping
Why have we not joined the rest of the world in becoming more aware?
Everywhere I look I see people shaking off all the old ways
I see people rejecting outdated beliefs, behaviors, and systems.
So why can't we follow through
Why can't we also make progress and leave behind what no longer serves us?
What we believe has got to be more than the words of our friends
Our beliefs must be more than just echoing what others say or think.
Honey I love the life but I'd fight for our world not to end
I appreciate our life together, but I am willing to take action to preserve our planet and future.
There's something on the horizon
Something important is coming or about to happen.
And who deserves to know more than you
You have the right and the need to be informed.
All of us
Every person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DARYL DAVID HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind