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.
Kiss On My List
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What can I say
I don't feel the need to give such secrets away
You think maybe I need help, no, I know I'm right, alright
I'm just better off not listening to friends' advice
When they insist on knowing my bliss
I tell them this
I only smile when I lie, then I tell them why
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss I can't resist
(Because your kiss) is what I miss when I turn out the lights
I go crazy wondering what there is to really see
Did the night just take up your time, 'cause it means more to me
Sometimes I forget what I'm doing
I don't forget what I want, what I want
Regret what I've done, regret you, I couldn't go on
But if you insist on knowing my bliss
I'll tell you this
If you want to know what the reason is
I only smile when I lie, then I'll tell you why
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss I can't resist
(Because your kiss) is what I miss when I turn out the lights
I really miss you babe
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss I can't resist
(Because your kiss) is what I miss when I turn out the lights
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss I can't resist
Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life
In "Kiss on My List," Hall & Oates sing about the power of a special someone's kiss. The lyrics reveal that the singer's friends don't understand why he is so fixated on this person, prompting him to dismiss their questions and protests. He emphasizes that the reason for his infatuation is selfish and personal, something that only he can understand and appreciate. The chorus of the song, "Your kiss is on my list of the best things in life," affirms the idea that this person's smooch is so important to him that it ranks among the greatest experiences he has ever had. The bridge also speaks to the depth of his longing for this person, confessing "I really miss you babe." Overall, the song celebrates the ecstasy and intimacy of a powerful kiss and the way it can consume one's thoughts and feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends wonder why I call you all the time
I have feelings for you and I like talking to you.
What can I say
I can't explain my feelings for you.
I don't feel the need to give such secrets away
I want to keep my feelings to myself and not share them with others.
You think maybe I need help, no, I know I'm right, alright
Others may think I'm obsessed, but I am confident about my feelings for you.
I'm just better off not listening to friends' advice
I don't want to hear anyone's opinion that may change the way I feel about you.
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
Your kiss is something I really want and desire.
Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life
Your kiss is one of the most precious things I want in my life.
(Because your kiss) your kiss I can't resist
I cannot control myself when it comes to your kiss.
(Because your kiss) is what I miss when I turn out the lights
I long for your kiss even when I am alone in the dark.
I go crazy wondering what there is to really see
I get lost thinking about the real meaning of love and life.
Did the night just take up your time, 'cause it means more to me
I am willing to sacrifice my time and stay up all night thinking about you.
Sometimes I forget what I'm doing
I get lost in my thoughts, thinking about you.
I don't forget what I want, what I want
I am clear about what I want, and that's your love and affection.
Regret what I've done, regret you, I couldn't go on
I would rather regret my actions than regret losing you, because I cannot imagine life without you.
I really miss you babe
I miss you and I want to be with you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daryl Hall, Janna M. Allen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind