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.
Only Love
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guess I'm just that kind of man
Looking for an answer to why I'm in this place I'm in
Walking through a door that's closing
While another slams in your face
Neighbors say that you're imposing
When you walk in an open space
Tell me who, tell me why
[Chorus]
Only love can make me happy
Only love can make me cry
Only love can sanctify me
If you can doubt it can you tell me why
Try to find my tears within me
Try to be a logical man
Tryin' to help the world around me
But I'm so lonely I don't know if I can
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Hall & Oates's song "Only Love" is a contemplation on the human search for happiness and meaning in life. The singer is grappling with the question of why he's in the place he is, and why he feels such intense emotions. He is a man who wonders why he is falling, and what it is that he's searching for. Despite his rational attempts to understand the world around him, he is confused and lonely.
The singer reflects on the power of love and how it is the only thing that can both make him happy and make him cry. In a way, love is the only thing that can bring sanctity to his life. The singer acknowledges the value of trying to help others and making the world a better place, but he admits that he struggles with finding happiness and meaning.
Overall, the song is a reminder that love is the most powerful force in the world, and that it is what ultimately gives meaning to our lives. It emphasizes that even though we may try to be logical and understand the world around us, we can only find true happiness and peace through love.
Line by Line Meaning
Wonder why I'm falling
Curious about what's causing this emotional descent
Guess I'm just that kind of man
Perhaps my natural state is one of heartbreak and sorrow
Looking for an answer to why I'm in this place I'm in
Searching for an explanation for the current emotional state I find myself in
Walking through a door that's closing
Navigating a situation that's coming to an end
While another slams in your face
Simultaneously encountering a new challenge or obstacle
Neighbors say that you're imposing
Receiving criticism or judgment for being present and taking up space
When you walk in an open space
Existing and moving about in the world publicly and without restriction
Tell me who, tell me why
Asking for someone to provide answers or explanations for these experiences
Only love can make me happy
Suggesting that happiness is only possible through the experience of love
Only love can make me cry
Likewise, implying that sorrow or emotional release is only attainable through love
Only love can sanctify me
Here, love is presented as an agent of purification or catharsis
If you can doubt it can you tell me why
Asking for an explanation from anyone who may question the transformative power of love
Try to find my tears within me
Attempting to locate and access the ability to express emotion
Try to be a logical man
Struggling to reconcile the emotional and rational aspects of oneself
Tryin' to help the world around me
Working towards making a positive impact on others and the environment
But I'm so lonely I don't know if I can
Despite this, feelings of isolation or lack of connection may make it difficult to maintain motivation or continue helping others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JOSEPH CANG, JOHN OATES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind