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.
Love Train
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Join hands
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world
Join hands
Get on the love train, love train
The first stop that we'll make
Tell all the folks in Russia,
In China, too (get on board)
Don't you know
It's time to get on board
(it's time to get on board)
Let this train keep on ridin',
Ridin' on through
Ridin' on through
People all over the world
Join hands
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world
Join hands
Get on the love train, love train
All of you brothers
Over in Africa (come on now, people)
Tell all the folks in Egypt,
In Israel, too
Please don't miss this train
At the station
'Cause if you miss it,
I feel sorry, sorry for you
Sorry for you
People all over the world
Join hands
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world
Join hands
Get on the love train, love train
People all over the world
Join hands
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world
Join hands
Get on the love train, love train
People all over the world
[Repeat with following ad lib]
Start it up, start it up
Come on, people
We're gonna ride, ride
Sisters and brothers, come on
Start a love train
(repeat and fade with ad lib)
The lyrics of Hall & Oates's "Love Train" is a message of peace and unity that transcends borders and boundaries. The song calls on all the people of the world to join hands and hop on the "love train" - a metaphorical vehicle of love and harmony that travels across nations, spreading love and joy. The song's opening line, "People all over the world, join hands," sets the tone for the rest of the song, as it encourages people from all corners of the world to embrace one another and come together to promote peace, love, and understanding.
The reference to different countries in the lyrics of "Love Train" is especially poignant as it ties in the concept that love can conquer all. The first stop of the train is England, followed by mentions of Russia, China, Africa, Egypt, and Israel. The song urges individuals from these regions and beyond to board the love train, with the refrain of "get on the love train" repeated throughout the song. The message of the song is ultimately one of hope and optimism, as it encourages people to come together, united in love for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
People all over the world
Global love is what is needed right now.
Join hands
We need to unite as a human race.
Start a love train, love train
We need to move together towards common goals.
The first stop that we'll make
We have the power to move things in the right direction.
Will be England
We will begin our mission for love in this country.
Tell all the folks in Russia, In China, too (get on board)
Everyone across the world is invited to join us.
Don't you know
Can't you feel what we're trying to achieve?
It's time to get on board
Our time is now, we must take action and express love.
Let this train keep on ridin', Ridin' on through, Ridin' on through
We will continue spreading love throughout the world.
All of you brothers Over in Africa (come on now, people)
Calling out specifically to Africa to join in on this movement.
Tell all the folks in Egypt, In Israel, too
We are reaching out to everyone, regardless of their background.
Please don't miss this train
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this inspiring movement.
At the station
Here and now is where we can make a difference.
'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you, Sorry for you
Don't let this opportunity to spread love pass you by.
Start it up, start it up, Come on, people
Let's get this movement rolling and inspire others to join us.
We're gonna ride, ride
We will journey forward with courage, spreading love in our wake.
Sisters and brothers, come on, Start a love train
Calling out to people of all genders to help us spread love.
(repeat and fade with ad lib)
Let's keep the momentum going and spread our message of love across the world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mmjj2
hall and oates can sing any song in any format and make it there own, they are just the best!
@santamara
Beautiful! Thanks for posting! Outstanding talent on this stage! R.I.P. T Bone Wolk
@MrEmile73
pure excellence
@6K6R
Nice performance
@TheWiddaC
Lets actually start a love train lol Peace!!
@jamesrsmithIII
da shit