John William Oates (born April 7, 1948; New York City, New York) is an Amer… Read Full Bio ↴John William Oates (born April 7, 1948; New York City, New York) is an American rock guitarist, musician, songwriter, producer, and (for much of his career) moustache owner, best known as half of the rock and soul duo Hall & Oates (with founder/lead vocalist Daryl Hall).

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.

Miss the Mississippi and You
John Oates Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm growing tired of the big city lights
Tired of the glamor and tired of the sights
And in my dreams I'd been roaming once more
Far from my home on the old river shore

I am so sad and weary far away from home
I miss the Mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary everywhere I roam

I miss the Mississippi and you

Roaming the wide world over
Always alone and blue, so blue
Nothing seems to cheer me under heaven's dome
I miss the Mississippi and you

Roamin' the wide world over
Always alone and blue, so blue
Mockingbirds singin' 'round the cabin door
I miss the Mississippi and you

Longing for my homeland
But it won't show

I miss the Mississippi and you
Miss the Mississippi and you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to John Oates's song Miss the Mississippi and You evoke a feeling of homesickness and longing for one's roots. The singer of the song is tired of the flashy city life, the glamor, and the sights of the big city. In his dreams, he roams far away from his home on the old river shore. He is sad, weary, and misses the Mississippi and his loved ones. No matter where he goes, he feels lonely, blue, and nothing seems to cheer him up.

The song highlights the importance of one's roots, how one's homeland can have a deep emotional impact, and how the memories associated with it can make one feel nostalgic. The singer misses the Mississippi, a river that runs through several states in the southern part of the USA. The Mississippi has cultural and historical significance as it has played a central role in the development of blues, jazz, and rock and roll music. The lyrics also mention mockingbirds singing around the cabin door, which is a nod to the southern culture and lifestyle.

Overall, John Oates's Miss the Mississippi and You is a beautiful tribute to the singer's homeland, the river, and the people he misses.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm growing tired of the big city lights
I am becoming weary of the bright lights and noise of the urban environment

Tired of the glamor and tired of the sights
I am no longer interested in the glitz and attractions of this city

And in my dreams I'd been roaming once more
In my mind, I have been traveling to other places

Far from my home on the old river shore
I have been picturing myself far away from my house on the riverside

I am so sad and weary far away from home
I am feeling unhappy and exhausted being far from my home

I miss the Mississippi and you
I long for the Mississippi river and for you

Days are dark and dreary everywhere I roam
Every place I visit is dull and gloomy

Roaming the wide world over
I have traveled to many different places

Always alone and blue, so blue
I am always by myself and deeply sad

Nothing seems to cheer me under heaven's dome
There is nothing that can make me happy under the sky