Though he was a primary guitarist, he also co-wrote eight Billboard Number One songs such as: "Sara Smile" (with Daryl Hall) , "You Make My Dreams" (with Sara Allen & Daryl Hall), "She's Gone" (with Daryl Hall), "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" (with Sara Allen & Daryl Hall), "Maneater" (with Sara Allen & Daryl Hall), "Out of Touch" (with Daryl Hall), "Everytime You Go Away" (with Daryl Hall - as covered by Paul Young) and "Adult Education" (with Daryl Hall & Sara Allen).
He also sang lead vocals and has written or co-written a few less popular singles that did not make it to the Billboard's Top 10 such as: "How Does It Feel to Be Back", "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" and "Possession Obsession" (with Sara Allen & Daryl Hall). In addition to his work with Hall, Oates co-wrote and sang back-up on the song "Electric Blue" by the band Icehouse which was a Billboard Top Ten hit.
Complete BIO From JohnOates.com
John Oates was destined to be a musician. Singing from the time he could talk and playing the guitar since the age of five, his calling in life was never in question. Born in New York City, his family moved to a small town outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania in the early 50′s…. a move that would change the course of his life. Like most kids at that time, the impact of the early days of rock left an lasting impression on John. At the age of four he witnessed his first live concert: Bill Haley and the Comets playing their classic rockabilly hits at a local amusement park. Then there were the records…
He began to collect 45 rpm singles …treasures from Little Richard, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, Gary U.S. Bonds and of course, Elvis. He spent countless hours twisting the dial on his AM transistor radio trying to tune in the local R&B stations and listening to DJs like Jerry Blavat spinning obscure Doo Wop records and B sides.
When it came to influences John was open to more than just the top 40 hits…his friends’ older brother turned him on to the nascent folk music scene that began to sweep the country in the early 60′s. John’s interest in traditional American music began and he immersed himself in the Child’s Ballads, Joan Baez, Rev. Gary Davis, Dave Von Ronk and all the rediscovered bluesmen who began to make appearances at the Newport and Philadelphia folk festivals. Absorbing it all developed a kind of musical split personality. One night he might be wearing a shark skin suit playing everything from Doo Wop covers to the big R&B hits of the day with his band and the next night he would be playing his acoustic guitar in a local coffee house singing Appalachian folk ballads…to this day the very same roots and influences still can be heard in John’s original playing and singing style.
In the late 60′s John moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University and check out the city’s music scene. In 1966 he wrote and recorded his first single “I Need Your Love” which was released on the label owned by a local music store called the Record Museum. The song was arranged by Bobby Martin who at the time was producing and arranging for Gamble and Huff. The single received airplay on Philly’s R&B radio stations and John began to divide his time between being a student and a professional musician.
Around the same time he met an influential guitar player/ teacher named Jerry Ricks who had spent time on the road with Mississippi John Hurt and Son House. Jerry took John under his wing and introduced him to many of the newly rediscover folk performers, such as Doc Watson, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee and Mississippi John for whom Philadelphia’s folk venues, like the Second Fret and Main Point, were frequent stops in their concert schedules.
John had the unique opportunity to play alongside some of these seminal musicians learning first hand, their finger picking and flat picking styles.
When John first met Daryl Hall it was their mutual love for urban rhythm and blues blended with the more rural roots of American music that created their unique sound.
Since the formation of their partnership in the early 70′s Hall & Oates have gone on to record 21 albums which have sold over 80 million units making them the most successful duo in rock history. They have scored 10 number one records, over 20 top 40 hits and have toured the world for decades. Their involvement in the original “Live Aid” concert and the ground breaking “We Are The World” charity recording have further established them as legendary artists who have personally and through their music, stood the test of time. Their influence on modern pop music has been cited by numerous contemporary bands, like the Gym Class Heroes and the Killers, who have credited and acknowledged H&O’s considerable contribution to American music.
In addition to their numerous American Music and MTV awards, in 2005 they were inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame and in May of 2008 will were presented the prestigious BMI Icon Award for their outstanding career achievement in song writing.
John continues to support many national and local charities. He has recorded three solo albums, the most recent entitled “Mississippi Mile”, in Nashville featuring an amazing collection of some of the world’s top musicians.
In 2009, in association with the Historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen Colorado, John created a singer/songwriter series entitled: The Stories Behind the Songs”. Performing with Patty Griffin, Tift Merritt, Jimmy Wayne and other well known songwriters in an acoustic setting. The series was such an overwhelming success that it has been expanded into an annual event.
7908 THE ASPEN SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
The festival, now in its third year, takes place in Aspen Colorado and has featured songwriters such as: Keb Mo, Shawn Colvin, Allen Toussaint, Matt Nathenson, Jim Lauderdale, Kenny Loggins, Gary Burr and many others.
When, not touring with his solo show or with Daryl Hall, he divides his time between Nashville and his ranch in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, with his wife and son along with 3 dogs, a flock of Emus, Llamas and Alpacas. In his free time he enjoys driving his tractor, riding his mountain bike, hiking the backcountry and telemark skiing.
All Shook Up
John Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm itching like a man on a fuzzy tree
My friends say I'm acting wild as a bug
Ooh, I'm in love, I'm all shook up
I said my hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I can't seem to stand on my own two feet
Who do you thank when you have such luck?
Now, please don't ask me what's on my mind
I'm a little mixed up but I'm feeling fine
When I'm near that girl that I love best
My heart beats so, you know it scares me to death
When she touched my hand what a chill I got
Her lips are like a volcano that's hot
I'm proud to say that she's my buttercup
I'm in love, I'm all shook up, yeah
My tongue gets tied when I try to speak
My inside's shaking like a leaf on a tree
There's only one cure for this body of mine
To have the girl that I love so fine
Hey, hey, I'm all shook up
I bless my soul
I'm all shook up
I bless my soul
I'm all shook up
You know I'm all shook up
I bless my soul
I'm all shook up
I bless my soul
The lyrics to John Oates's song All Shook Up can be seen as a description of the physical and emotional sensations of being in love. The singer of the song is experiencing a range of symptoms that seem to be caused by his feelings for the woman he loves. He describes feeling itchy and wild, and having shaky hands and weak knees. The chorus repeats the famous phrase "I'm all shook up," emphasizing the idea that love can have a powerful physical impact on a person.
The lyrics also highlight the singer's nervousness and apparent lack of control over his own body when he is around the woman he loves. He is "a little mixed up," and his tongue gets tied when he tries to speak. When she touches his hand, he feels a chill, and her lips are compared to a hot volcano. However, despite his apparent discomfort, he is proud to call her his "buttercup," and he seems to be willing to endure these physical and emotional symptoms as long as he has her.
Overall, the lyrics of All Shook Up capture the intense and sometimes overwhelming feelings of being in love. The song speaks to anyone who has ever felt the physical and emotional impact of being drawn to another person.
Line by Line Meaning
A-well, I bless my soul, what's wrong with me?
What's happening to me? I'm feeling a strange sense of excitement that I can't explain.
I'm itching like a man on a fuzzy tree
I'm feeling so restless and eager that I can't keep still.
My friends say I'm acting wild as a bug
My friends think I'm behaving in a crazy and unusual way.
Ooh, I'm in love, I'm all shook up
I've fallen in love and it's making me feel nervous and excited at the same time.
I said my hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I'm feeling physically weak and unstable because of the intensity of my emotions.
I can't seem to stand on my own two feet
I'm finding it difficult to maintain my balance and composure.
Who do you thank when you have such luck?
I feel fortunate to have found love, but I'm not sure who deserves the credit for it.
Oh, I'm in love, I'm all shook up
I'm still feeling nervous and excited because of my feelings for this person.
Now, please don't ask me what's on my mind
I don't know how to put my feelings into words, so please don't ask me to explain them.
I'm a little mixed up but I'm feeling fine
I'm confused about my feelings, but overall I'm happy and content.
When I'm near that girl that I love best
Being close to the person I love the most makes me feel happy and complete.
My heart beats so, you know it scares me to death
The intensity of my emotions is overwhelming and makes me feel scared and vulnerable.
When she touched my hand what a chill I got
Her touch made me feel a sudden rush of excitement and pleasure.
Her lips are like a volcano that's hot
Her kisses are passionate and intense, like a volcano erupting.
I'm proud to say that she's my buttercup
I feel lucky and fortunate to be in a relationship with this person.
I'm in love, I'm all shook up, yeah
My feelings of love and excitement are still very intense.
My tongue gets tied when I try to speak
I find it difficult to express my feelings verbally because of their intensity.
My inside's shaking like a leaf on a tree
My emotions are so powerful that I feel like my insides are shaking and trembling.
There's only one cure for this body of mine
The only thing that can calm my intense emotions is being with the person I love.
To have the girl that I love so fine
Being with the person I love is the only thing that can make me feel complete.
Hey, hey, I'm all shook up
I'm still feeling nervous and excited about my intense feelings of love.
I bless my soul
I'm grateful for my feelings of love and the joy they bring.
You know I'm all shook up
My intense emotions are still impacting my physical and mental state.
Contributed by Ian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SummerLuvr7
Love his voice!
NGdetroit
Thanks My Friends!!! I Love Johns Voice Too! " VERY SEXY!! "
anitadavideduo
YEAH!!!