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.
Used to Be My Girl
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The girls got pretty good lovin'
Ask me how I know
And I'll tell you so.,
She used to be my girl
My Girl
I respect her
I used to neglect her
She wanted more than I could give
But as long as I live
She'll be my girl
She used to be my girl
She used to be my girl
She had a charming personality
The girl was so right for me
She's my girl
And If I had the chance
I'd take her back
As a matter a fact
Right away
Like today
Not only good-lookin
The girl was so smart
Can't beat her cooking
Ask me how I know
And I'll tell you so
She used to be my girl
She had a charming personality
The girl was so right for me
She's my girl
And If I had the chance
I'd take her back
As a matter a fact
Right a way
Like today
Sh-Sh-Should've
Good loving
The girls got pretty good lovin'
Ask me how I know
And I'll tell you so..
She used to be my girl
My Girl
The song "Used to Be My Girl" by Hall and Oates is a reflection of the singer's realization of the worth of his ex-girlfriend. The song begins with the singer praising the girl's good loving and charming personality, suggesting that he knows these qualities from personal experience. The refrain "she used to be my girl" reveals that she is no longer his, but he still has a deep respect for her. The singer acknowledges that he used to neglect her and was unable to give her what he needed, leading to their separation. However, he still recognizes her worth and vows to always cherish her in his heart as his girl.
The song goes on to highlight her smartness and cooking skills, indicating that she had the whole package. The singer reflects that if given a chance, he would take her back in a heartbeat, right away, and as a matter of fact, like today. The song ends with an upbeat rhythm and a final repetition of the refrain "she used to be my girl," cementing the notion that the girl will always hold a special corner in the singer's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Good loving
The girl provided satisfying companionship and intimacy.
The girls got pretty good lovin'
The girl was an expert in providing affectionate love.
Ask me how I know
Inquire about how I acquired this insight.
And I'll tell you so.
I will explain and elaborate on my feelings and opinions.
She used to be my girl
In the past, the girl was in a romantic relationship with me.
I respect her
I hold her in high regard and honor her as an individual.
When she was mine
During the period when she was my romantic partner.
I used to neglect her
In the past, I failed to give her adequate attention and care.
She wanted more than I could give
She desired a greater level of engagement and support than I was prepared to offer her.
But as long as I live
For the entire duration of my existence on earth.
She'll be my girl
She will always hold a significant place in my heart and memories.
She had a charming personality
She displayed an attractive and delightful character.
The girl was so right for me
She possessed all the qualities I was seeking in a partner.
And If I had the chance
If the opportunity arose.
I'd take her back
I would resume a romantic relationship with her.
As a matter of fact
In fact, it is true.
Right away
Immediately or without delay.
Like today
At this very moment or on this particular day.
Not only good-lookin'
In addition to her attractive physical appearance.
The girl was so smart
She possessed intelligence and wit.
Can't beat her cooking
Her culinary skills were unbeatable and exceptional.
Sh-Sh-Should've
Expressing regret or frustration over a missed opportunity or action.
My Girl
A term of endearment and affection for the girl I was once in a relationship with.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind