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.
Tell Me What You Want
Hall & Oates Lyrics
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Music: daryl hall
When I look in your eyes I can see there's more than passion there
Something ugly and lovely is tuning in just behind your stare
Yeah, I've seen it before and I think that I'd know it anywhere
So tell me girl what you want
I know you know
Grin and bare it, no no I like what you're wearing
You gotta leave it on all night
As above so below so they say so can we do the magick [sic] right
Kiss and tell, when I know you so well there's no need to be polite
That's right
So tell me girl what you want
I know you know
Take a position 'cause you know I'm gonna listen to you
Tell me
Ain't no conditions, no there isn't baby ya don't have to sell me
'cause I love you and I want you tonight
So tell me girl what you want
I know you know.
The song "Tell Me What You Want" by Hall & Oates is a catchy tune that delves into the dynamic of a relationship between two people who are comfortable enough with each other that there is no need for them to keep up any pretences. In this respect, the lyrics encapsulate the idea of honesty and vulnerability without any fear of judgment or criticism. The opening lines, "When I look in your eyes, I can see there's more than passion there, something ugly and lovely is tuning in just behind your stare" sets the tone for the song, where there is an unspoken understanding between the two individuals. It is not about hiding behind a façade but revealing one's true self, including the parts that may not be as pretty or perfect. Instead, there is a level of acceptance and understanding that makes their connection stronger.
The lyrics suggest that there is a deeper connection beyond just physical attraction. The phrase "something ugly and lovely" implies that there is more to the person than meets the eye. It could also mean that there are parts of the person that they may consider ugly or imperfect, but the other person sees it as lovely. The line "grin, and bear it. No, no, I like what you're wearing. You gotta leave it on all night" further reinforces this notion. The song is about being comfortable with one another, embracing each other's quirks and imperfections, and enjoying each other's company without trying to change one another.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look in your eyes I can see there's more than passion there
I can sense a mix of good and bad emotions and experiences beyond just desire when I look into your eyes
Something ugly and lovely is tuning in just behind your stare
I can observe a combination of beautiful and challenging aspects of your personality and emotions revealed through your gaze
Yeah, I've seen it before and I think that I'd know it anywhere
I have noticed similar emotional depth and complexity in others, and can recognize it in you no matter where we are or what we're doing
So tell me girl what you want
Please share with me your desires and needs
I know you know
I believe you already have a clear idea of what you want to share with me
Grin and bare it, no no I like what you're wearing
Don't worry about trying to impress me or conform to expectations, I appreciate you just the way you are
You gotta leave it on all night
Don't feel like you have to change or hide any part of yourself, show me your true self all evening
As above so below so they say so can we do the magick [sic] right
There is a phrase suggesting that the spiritual world is connected to the physical world, and I wonder if we can make tonight magical by embracing that connection
Kiss and tell, when I know you so well there's no need to be polite
Don't be afraid to speak honestly about your feelings and experiences, even if they may be considered impolite, as we are close and familiar with each other
That's right
I support and encourage open communication and honesty
Take a position 'cause you know I'm gonna listen to you
Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings with me, as I'm eager to listen and understand
Tell me
Please share your thoughts and feelings with me
Ain't no conditions, no there isn't baby ya don't have to sell me
Don't worry about meeting any expectations or conditions to gain my approval, as I already love and accept you just the way you are
'cause I love you and I want you tonight
I have strong feelings for you and desire to be close to you this evening
So tell me girl what you want
Please share your desires and needs with me again
I know you know.
I believe you already know what you want and I am eager to listen
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DARYL HALL, SARA ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind