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.
One on One
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems I don`t get time out anymore
What a change if we set the pace face to face
No one even trying to score
Oh oh I can feel the magic of your touch
And when you move in close a little bit means so much
Ooh yeah, you`ve got to understand baby
Time out is what I`m here for
One on one I want to play that game tonight
One on one I know I want to play that
One on one I want to play that game tonight
One on one so slow
You can`t tell me you don`t miss me girl
I think I might know you too well
Wonder what you`d say if you knew that I was coming tonight
Want to? I want you can`t you tell
One on one I want to play that game tonight
One on one I know I want to play that
One on one I want to play that game tonight
One on one so slow
That`s all you need to know now
`Cause if it`s really right there`s nothing else
One on one I want to play that game tonight...
The lyrics to Hall & Oates's song One on One are about a person who is tired of playing on a team and not getting enough time out. This person wants to play the game of love rather than the game of sports. The lyrics suggest that the person wants to be more intimate and have a one-on-one relationship with their partner. The lyrics describe the magic of being close to someone and how much it means to them. The person wants to play a game of love and not just have a physical relationship. They want to get to know their partner better and not just play the field.
The lyrics suggest that the person is deeply infatuated with their partner and wants to be with them alone. They don't want to keep playing games with other people and just want to focus on one person. The lyrics imply that this person believes that there is magic in their touch and that they want to be closer to them. There is a strong sense of yearning and longing in the lyrics that suggest that the person is deeply in love with their partner.
Overall, Hall & Oates's song One on One is a love ballad about a person who wants to play the game of love with their partner. The lyrics suggest that the person is deeply infatuated with their partner and wants to be closer to them. The song is a classic love ballad that captures the emotions and feelings of someone who is deeply in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tired of playing on the team
I am bored of playing in a group or working together with others.
It seems I don't get time out anymore
I'm not getting any breaks or rest.
What a change if we set the pace face to face
It would be great if we compete directly, just the two of us.
No one even trying to score
We don't have to focus on winning or losing, we just have to enjoy the game.
Oh oh I can feel the magic of your touch
I feel a special connection when I am near you.
And when you move in close a little bit means so much
Even a small gesture or action from you can mean a lot to me.
Ooh yeah, you've got to understand baby
I need you to comprehend and acknowledge what I am saying.
Time out is what I'm here for
I need to take a break from my busy life and spend time with you.
One on one I want to play that game tonight
I only want to compete with you directly.
One on one I know I want to play that
It's crystal clear that I crave the thrill of one-on-one competition.
One on one so slow
We can take our time and enjoy the game because it's just the two of us.
You can't tell me you don't miss me girl
I am certain that you feel the same way I do and miss me as much as I miss you.
I think I might know you too well
I am very familiar with your personality and tendencies.
Wonder what you'd say if you knew that I was coming tonight
I am curious about your reaction when you find out that I am coming over tonight.
Want to? I want you can't you tell
I want to spend time with you and I hope you feel the same way.
That's all you need to know now
I have said everything I need to for now.
'Cause if it's really right there's nothing else
There is nothing else that matters if we are meant to be together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daryl Hall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind