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.
United State
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To preserve the state of our union
Stop believing what you say to me
There's a tragic gap in credibility
When the light is gone from your eyes
And re-entry may be denied
Do I want to expatriate
Inflationary insecurity
'Cause a love ain't worth as much as it used to be
Clean break, running away
Should I work it out some way
When the light is gone from your eyes
And re-entry may be denied
Do I want to expatriate
Or I, I live in the United State
Watch the tress in the wind when it's starting to blow
Is the reason to leave, is it treason to go
Just appeasing you is the wrong thing, I know
Break away
When the light is gone from your eyes
And re-entry may be denied
Do I want to expatriate
Or I, I live in the United State
When the light is gone from your eyes
(United State)
When the light is gone from your eyes
When the light is gone from your eyes
And re-entry may be denied
Do I want to expatriate
I live in the United State
I want live, live, live, live, live, live, live live in the
I can't live in the United State
United State can't live, can't live, live live in the
I can't live in the United State
Can't live in the United State
I can't live in the United State
I can't live in the United State
I can't live in the United State
United State
Can't live, can't live, can't live, can't live
I can't live in the United State
United State
Can't live in the United State
United State
Can't live in the United State
The lyrics of "United State" are about the dilemma between love for one's country and the feeling of dissatisfaction caused by the social and political circumstances. The singer questions whether to stay in America or leave it. The lyrics suggest that there is an increasing lack of faith in the government and the country's internal affairs. The singer suggests that an amendment to the constitution is necessary to remedy these issues and preserve the state of the union. However, this change would require people to stop blindly believing what they are told, as there is a significant gap in credibility. The chorus repeats, "Do I want to expatriate, or I, I live in the United State," highlighting the singer's struggle to decide whether to leave or stay.
The lyrics describe how the dissatisfaction is caused by rising inflation and a lack of security in matters of the heart. The cost of love is lower than in the past, and the singer is considering a "clean break" or running away. Throughout the lyrics, there is a sense of confusion brought on by conflicting ideas. The singer also uses imagery, such as "tress in the wind," which suggests that the singer is trying to find reasons to stay or leave. Furthermore, "United State" fails to provide solutions; it highlights the singer's dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and is expressing doubts about staying in America.
Line by Line Meaning
Make an amendment to the constitution
Suggesting a change to the national laws and principles to adapt to current situations.
To preserve the state of our union
In order to maintain the unity of our country.
Stop believing what you say to me
Expressing a lack of trust in the words someone is telling them.
There's a tragic gap in credibility
Implying that the artist cannot rely on what the other person is saying due to their previous behavior.
When the light is gone from your eyes
When someone has lost their spark, passion, or motivation.
And re-entry may be denied
It may be difficult or impossible to return to the previous state of being.
Do I want to expatriate
Considering the possibility of leaving their country or relinquishing their citizenship.
Or I, I live in the United State
Making a decision about whether the positive aspects of living in the United States outweigh the negative aspects.
Inflationary insecurity
Feeling financial uncertainty due to rising prices and fluctuating markets.
'Cause a love ain't worth as much as it used to be
Love is no longer valued as highly as it once was.
Clean break, running away
Considering ending a relationship or situation abruptly and starting anew.
Should I work it out some way
Considering the possibility of resolving issues without leaving or breaking things off completely.
Watch the trees in the wind when it's starting to blow
Taking notice of the signs that a situation is about to change or become unstable.
Is the reason to leave, is it treason to go
Questioning whether leaving a situation or relationship is justified, or if it is a betrayal of loyalty to stay.
Just appeasing you is the wrong thing, I know
Recognizing that trying to make someone else happy at the cost of one's own well-being is not sustainable or healthy.
When the light is gone from your eyes
Repeating the previous sentiment, emphasizing the loss of passion or motivation.
(United State)
Can't live in the United State
Deciding that the negative aspects of living in the United States outweigh the positive aspects.
I can't live in the United State
Reiterating the previous sentiment for emphasis and clarity.
Can't live, can't live, can't live, can't live
Expressing the strength of the artist's conviction that they cannot continue living in the United States.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DARYL HALL, JOHN OATES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind