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.
Halfway There
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then we've felt the sadness
That comes when it's thru
Do we walk our own way in a world turned blue
Oh it's true that I can't see rhyme or reason
And when feeling's out of season
What can I do
Except try to walk away with you
[Chorus]
You and I are halfway there
On some road to somewhere
Can I be the one
You and I are halfway there
Can't we go all the way
We were born in the brave new world
Taught to be modern little boys and girls
Then they tried to take our imagination away
When the guns are firing somewhere
And there's evil in the air
What can be do
Except try to say what's true
You know what's true?
This is true girl
[Chorus]
Oh we must go on
Oh girl, we can't turn back
We can't retreat
We've gotta attack
Be here right now
I'll be here for you
My love won't die
We've gotta break
Break on through
In "Halfway There," Hall & Oates sing about the difficulties of being in a relationship in a world that can often be cold and unforgiving. The lyrics describe the ups and downs of a relationship, from the joy of coming together to the sadness of parting ways. Despite the challenges, the song encourages the couple to keep moving forward, even if they're only "halfway there" on their journey.
The song's opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, as the singer describes the rollercoaster of emotions that come with being in a relationship. As they try to navigate the difficulties of life and love, they wonder whether it's possible to strike a balance between their own desires and the realities of the world around them. The chorus offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the couple is at least making progress on their journey.
The second verse focuses on the social and political contexts that shape our lives. The song critiques the conformist and often oppressive nature of modern society, arguing that we must fight to preserve our individuality and imagination. Even as violence and despair threaten to overwhelm us, we must hold on to the truth and stand up for what's right.
Overall, "Halfway There" is a hopeful and optimistic song that encourages us to keep going despite the challenges we face. Whether we're struggling in our relationships, in our personal lives, or in the world at large, the song suggests that we can make progress if we keep moving forward and stay true to ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl we've come together
We've been in a relationship, but it has seen its fair share of challenges.
And then we've felt the sadness
We've experienced the low points together.
That comes when it's thru
This refers to the end of a relationship, and the sadness that follows.
Do we walk our own way in a world turned blue
In the midst of the sadness, we need to find our own way and navigate the difficulties of the world.
Oh it's true that I can't see rhyme or reason
Sometimes it’s hard to understand why things happen.
And when feeling's out of season
We may be going through hard times when we least expect them.
What can I do
It’s hard to know what action to take when we're lost.
Except try to walk away with you
But we will try and face it together.
You and I are halfway there
We've been through a lot of struggles but seem to be on the right track.
On some road to somewhere
It’s not clear where the relationship is heading, but we’re in it together.
Can I be the one
Asks whether he can be there for his partner through the rest of the journey.
Can't we go all the way
Asks if they can see the relationship through to the end.
We were born in the brave new world
Both partners were born in a time where everything seemed possible.
Taught to be modern little boys and girls
They were brought up to be independent and forward-thinking.
Then they tried to take our imagination away
But somewhere along the way, they lost their sense of wonder.
When the guns are firing somewhere
Refers to the chaos and violence in the world around us.
And there's evil in the air
And the sense of something threatening looms over us.
What can be do
We feel helpless and lost in the face of such difficulties.
Except try to say what's true
But being honest and true to oneself is one thing we can do to help.
You know what's true?
And the truth is that love can overcome even the worst of situations.
This is true girl
Their love for each other is real and will endure.
Oh we must go on
Despite the challenges, we must keep moving forward.
Oh girl, we can't turn back
We cannot let our past mistakes and challenges hold us back.
We can't retreat
Running away is not the answer either.
We've gotta attack
They must be brave and take action to overcome their difficulties.
Be here right now
They must live in the present and focus on what they can do now.
I'll be here for you
They are committed to each other and will support one another.
My love won't die
Their love will endure.
We've gotta break
They must break through the difficulties they face.
Break on through
This is the only way to move forward and find happiness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DARYL DAVID HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind