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.
Heavy Rain
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heavy rain, lightning too
Heavy rain, when I'm with you
Seems like a thousand years
Since we both felt free
We've seen a million faces
All staring at you and me
But just like Humphrey Bogart said
Here's looking at you kid
And the rocky road ahead
Heavy rain, lightning too
Heavy rain when I'm with you
You know the thunder comes like a lion's roar
But it leaves me now
When you walk out the door
Listen to that northern wind
It's singing a sad old song
A melody so sick and tired
Been blowing much too long
Ain't it time to feel the weather change
You know it's overdue
Love is gone, we can't go on
Pretending old is new
[Chorus]
Rain down
[Chorus]
And the daylight comes
As a sweet surprise
Heavy rain
Filling up my eyes
Heavy rain
The song "Heavy Rain" by Hall & Oates is a love song that focuses on the various struggles of a relationship. The chorus of the song is quite simple, and it talks about how the singer feels when they are with their partner. They compare the feeling to heavy rain and lightning, which conveys a sense of intensity and passion. The lyrics reveal that it has been a long time since both partners felt free, as they have been the center of attention for a long time.
The second verse of the song continues to convey a sense of sadness and melancholy. The singer talks about the thunder that comes like a lion's roar, but it all disappears when their partner walks away. They refer to a northern wind that's singing a sad old song, highlighting the sadness and weariness that comes with a long relationship. The lines "Love is gone, we can't go on/Pretending old is new" indicates a sense of resolution and finality. The relationship has reached its end, and the only thing left to do is move on.
Overall, "Heavy Rain" is a poignant and powerful love ballad that conveys the complex nature of relationships. It talks about the highs and lows, the intense passion, and the ultimate sadness of a love affair. The song takes the listener on a journey, making them feel the emotions that come with love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Heavy rain, lightning too
The rain is intense and accompanied by lightning, setting the stage for a tumultuous time.
Heavy rain, when I'm with you
Being with you feels like a storm - exciting, unpredictable, and intense.
Seems like a thousand years
Time moves so slowly when I'm without you - every second feels like an eternity.
Since we both felt free
We've been trapped in our own minds, unable to let go and feel alive.
We've seen a million faces
Everywhere we turn, people are watching us - judging, staring, and scrutinizing our every move.
All staring at you and me
It feels like the whole world is watching us, waiting for us to slip up or fail.
But just like Humphrey Bogart said
Sometimes the best we can do is remember the words of those who have gone before us.
Before he passed out on his bed
Even the strongest and most iconic among us have moments of weakness and vulnerability.
Here's looking at you kid
No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you - looking out for you and loving you.
And the rocky road ahead
Our future is uncertain and full of challenges, but we'll face them together.
You know the thunder comes like a lion's roar
The sound of thunder is powerful and intimidating, just like the challenges we face.
But it leaves me now
The storm is passing, and the danger is receding - but only for now.
When you walk out the door
Leaving is always a risk, and every goodbye could be our last.
Listen to that northern wind
The wind carries a message - a reminder of distant places and former selves.
It's singing a sad old song
The past is calling us back, reminding us of happier times and lost loves.
A melody so sick and tired
The sound of the past is worn out and exhausted, but we can't help being drawn to it.
Been blowing much too long
The winds of change have been stagnant for too long - it's time for something new.
Ain't it time to feel the weather change
We've been stuck in this rut for too long - it's time to embrace a new season.
You know it's overdue
We've been putting off this change for too long - it's time to face it head-on.
Love is gone, we can't go on
Our love is over, and we can't keep pretending that everything is okay.
Pretending old is new
We can't keep holding onto the past and hoping it will magically fix everything.
Rain down
The rain keeps pouring down, relentless and unforgiving.
And the daylight comes
Eventually, the darkness gives way to light - a new day full of promise and opportunity.
As a sweet surprise
Sometimes, the best things in life come when we least expect them - a sweet surprise indeed.
Heavy rain
The rain continues to fall, but we're ready to face whatever comes our way - together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ALLAN STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind