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.
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there's no tenderness like before in your finger tips
You're trying hard not to show it (baby)
But baby, baby I know it
You've lost that lovin' feeling
Oh, that lovin' feeling
You've lost that lovin' feeling
There's no welcome look in your eyes when I reach for you
And girl you're starting to criticize little things I do
Ooh, it makes me just feel like crying (baby)
'Cause baby something beautiful's dying
You've lost that lovin' feeling
Oh, that lovin' feeling
You've lost that lovin' feeling
Not it's gone gone gone, oh oh oh
Baby baby I get down on my knees for you
(Get down on my knees)
If you would only love me like you used to
(If you would only love me love me)
We had a love, a love that you don't find everyday
(A love you don't find)
So don't don't don't let it slip away (away)
I said baby
Baby
Baby
Baby
(I'm beggin' you please) I'm begging you please
I need your love (I need your love)
I need your love
So bring it on back (bring it on back)
Now bring it on back
Now bring it on back
You've got to bring back that lovin' feeling
Oh, that lovin' feeling
Bring back that lovin' feeling 'cause it's gone gone gone
And I can't go on, oh oh oh
Bring back that lovin' feeling
Oh, that lovin' feeling
Bring back that lovin' feeling 'cause it's gone gone gone
Bring back that lovin' feeling
Oh, that lovin' feeling
Bring back that lovin' feeling 'cause it's gone gone gone
Bring back that lovin' feeling
Oh that lovin' feeling
Bring back that lovin' feeling
Hall & Oates's song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" describes a fading relationship where one partner feels that the passion, tenderness, and intimacy they once shared with their lover is waning. The song's lyrics talk about how the other person has changed their behavior, becoming less affectionate and more critical. The singer knows that something has changed and is begging their partner to bring back the love they once shared. The chorus repeats the phrase "You've lost that lovin' feeling," which is a desire from the singer to bring back the passion and attention that used to exist in their relationship.
The song was originally written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil and was performed by The Righteous Brothers in 1964. Hall & Oates covered the song 15 years later, and it became a hit on the charts. The song's lyrics are simple but are relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain of a fading relationship. The song's emotional delivery conveys a strong message of love and loss that resonated with audiences and made it widely popular.
In many ways, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" was a quintessential song for the 1980s, as it was a time when popular music was transitioning from disco to pop to rock. It was a crossover song that helped bridge the gap between the genres and connected with audiences from diverse backgrounds. The song remains a classic to this day, as its universal message and catchy melody continue to resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips
You show no passion or excitement when I kiss you like you used to.
And there's no tenderness like before in your finger tips
Your touch lacks the gentleness and affection it once had.
You're trying hard not to show it (baby)
You're attempting to conceal your change of heart.
But baby, baby I know it
But, baby, I perceive that you're no longer in love with me.
You've lost that lovin' feeling
You've lost the love and passion we used to share.
Oh, that lovin' feeling
Oh, that irresistible sensation of being in love.
Now it's gone gone gone, oh oh oh
Now that feeling is completely gone and lost, oh oh oh.
There's no welcome look in your eyes when I reach for you
When I approach you, there's no longer that warm and inviting gaze in your eyes.
And girl you're starting to criticize little things I do
And now, you're beginning to nitpick and find fault in even the smallest of things I do.
Ooh, it makes me just feel like crying (baby)
It's causing me so much emotional pain and disappointment that I feel like crying.
'Cause baby something beautiful's dying
Because, baby, something truly wonderful and special between us is slipping away.
Baby baby I get down on my knees for you
My love for you is so strong that I'm willing to beg and plead for your affection.
(Get down on my knees)
(Literally, I'll get down on my knees and humiliate myself for you.)
If you would only love me like you used to
If only you would return to the way you used to love me.
(If you would only love me love me)
(If you would only be as passionate and affectionate as before.)
We had a love, a love that you don't find everyday
Our love was special and rare, not easily found in everyday life.
(A love you don't find)
(A love that is not easy to come by.)
So don't don't don't let it slip away (away)
So, please, please, please, don't let our love disappear forever.
I said baby
I'm speaking directly to you, babe.
(I'm beggin' you please) I'm begging you please
(I'm literally begging and pleading with you to save our love.)
I need your love (I need your love)
I desperately need your love.
So bring it on back (bring it on back)
So bring back that love and passion we had before.
Now bring it on back
I'm telling you to bring it all back now.
You've got to bring back that lovin' feeling
You must bring back that love and passion we had before.
And I can't go on, oh oh oh
Because without that love, I can't go on, oh oh oh.
Bring back that lovin' feeling
Bring back that irresistible sensation of being in love.
Bring back that lovin' feeling 'cause it's gone gone gone
Return that love and passion we had before because it has completely disappeared.
Bring back that lovin' feeling
Bring back that irresistible sensation of being in love.
Oh, that lovin' feeling
Oh, that feeling of love and passion that has gone missing.
Bring back that lovin' feeling 'cause it's gone gone gone
Bring back that love and passion we once shared because it has completely disappeared.
Bring back that lovin' feeling
Bring back that feeling of love and passion.
Oh that lovin' feeling
Oh, that sensation of being completely in love.
Bring back that lovin' feeling 'cause it's gone gone gone
Bring back that love and passion because it has disappeared completely.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Philip Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexandersmith5429
You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips
And there's no tenderness like before in your fingertips
You're trying hard not to show it
(Baby)
But baby, baby I know it
You've lost that lovin' feelin'
Oh that lovin' feelin'
You've lost that lovin' feelin'
Now it's gone, gone, gone, oh, oh, oh
There's no welcome look in your eyes when I reach for you
And girl you're starting to criticize little things I do
Ooh, it makes me just feel like cryin'
(Baby)
'Cause baby something beautiful's dyin'
You've lost that lovin' feelin'
Oh that lovin' feelin'
You've lost that lovin' feelin'
Not it's gone, gone, gone, oh, oh, oh
Baby, baby, I get down on my knees for you
(Get down on my knees)
If you would only love me like you used to do
(If you would only love me, love me)
We had a love, a love, a love you don't find everyday
(A love you don't find)
So don't, don't, don't let it slip away
(Away)
I said, "Baby"
(Baby)
Baby
(Baby)
(I'm beggin' you please)
I'm beggin' you please
I need your love
(I need your love)
I need your love
So bring it on back
(Bring it on back)
Now bring it on back
(Now bring it on back)
You've got to bring back that lovin' feelin'
Oh that lovin' feelin'
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
'Cause it's gone, gone, gone
And I can't go on, oh, oh, oh
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
Oh that lovin' feelin'
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
'Cause it's gone, gone, gone
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
Oh that lovin' feelin'
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
'Cause it's gone, gone, gone
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
Oh that lovin' feelin'
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
@appleiiee
In light of recent events: I dedicate this song to Hall and Oates in the hopes they become friends again. Peace to you both. ☮💜🙂
@gmhitsrecord
Amen.🙏🏼
@SnowDog0
It so upsetting to hear this news. They are literally performing a Righteous Brother song. I know there is more to the lawsuit but at the very least John should be able to perform songs solo and Daryl should be able to get financial credit. Hard to choose sides.
@relaxingandsoothing4374
I hear that. Can you imagine they work things out and perform this song and She's Gone live? Of course there are many other hits. Push every disagreement aside, clean slate.
@cindymorin6449
@@SnowDog0 The song part is not in the lawsuit. It's part of the restraining order that came from the judge after Hall filed his claim. John tried selling his share of their joint venture to a 3rd party. So, because of that, both of them had to sit down with an arbitrator to agree on which songs each one can or can't sing on his own. Due to the lawsuit and royalties that come from their songs, until it's settled, there's a freeze on some of the songs and everything else that involved the Hall & Oats logo.
I don't think they'll ever come back together because they haven't been in years. Plus, believe it or not, they were never friends. They were/are business partners and nothing more. Hall even said that they hardly do anything outside of business and only come together when they go on stage.
@cindymorin6449
I seriously doubt they'll ever will be friends because they never were nor do I see them singing together ever again. Hall said that all they ever did was share a stage. They never did much of anything together on a personal level. It was all business with them. In Hall's eyes, according to the lawsuit, John went behind his back and tried to sell off his share of their joint venture business which he cannot do as per the contract they have with each other in regards to this.
It's sad...Hall feels betrayed as a business partner of over 50 years together. It doesn't look good for John who's claiming he didn't do anything wrong. Let's see what happens. There's obviously enough evidence there since a judge approved a restraining order which makes it impossible for either one to sell or really do anything at this point that involves around their music until this is completely settled.
It'll soon come to light and if what Darryl is accusing John of doing is true, then I'll have no respect left for John for doing this after being together for over 59 years!
@topnotch4564
I Never knew they Rocked this Classic.
@user-sd5xe5dz2t
Fantastic cover of a classic
@mcorsaro75
John has a great voice
@dacevillen7093
Me and my son would sing the shit out of this song but only in the work truck, he was about 5 at the time and those were the best of times. waiting on a grand child now to sing the shit out of this song AGAIN