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.
Never Never
John Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said pretty popa are you going my way
Her man know what its all about
He was waiting at the home just to throw me out
Broke my nose and he split my chin
Don't you let me catch you round here again
Beat me from the kitchen back to the door
That'll never happen no more... That'll never happen no more
The wind in Chicago in the winter and fall
Cause me to wear my overalls
Flat broke but it weren't my fault
Been used to eating pork now I'm eating the salt
Met a woman in a pink mink fur
Big fat mouth me follow her
She pulled a gun and she took my dough
Didn't eat my heart out didn't get sore
That'll never happen no more... That'll never happen no more
John Oates's song That'll Never Happen No More tells a story of a man who is involved in a series of unfortunate events with some women and their men. In the first verse, John Oates sings about meeting a woman in a cabaret who wants to go the same way as he does. However, her man is waiting for him at home, and when they arrive, he beats him up and throws him out of the house. The man is physically abused and threatened that he should never come back again. In the second verse, the singer talks about how he has had to wear overalls because of the cold wind in Chicago, and how he is broke and forced to eat salt instead of the usual pork. Later on, he meets another woman who wears a pink mink fur coat with a big mouth. She pulls a gun and takes his money, but the man is unperturbed and does not get angry or hate her.
The song brings out the theme of bad luck, misfortunes, and difficult experiences in life. It shows that no matter how bad the experiences are, one should always keep moving forward, and never dwell on the past. It also shows that life is full of ups and downs, and we should always expect the unexpected. Despite the misfortunes, the man in the song remains determined to face life head-on and never let the experiences bring him down.
Line by Line Meaning
Met a gal in a cabaret
I met a woman in a nightclub.
Said pretty popa are you going my way
She asked me if I was headed in the same direction.
Her man know what its all about
Her boyfriend was aware of what was going on.
He was waiting at the home just to throw me out
He kicked me out of their house as soon as I arrived.
Broke my nose and he split my chin
He punched me so hard that he broke my nose and split my chin.
Don't you let me catch you round here again
He warned me not to come back.
Beat me from the kitchen back to the door
He hit me repeatedly until I was back at the door.
Hit me with a chair til my head got sore
He hit me with a chair until my head was in pain.
That'll never happen no more... That'll never happen no more
I won't let that happen to me again.
The wind in Chicago in the winter and fall
The weather in Chicago during the colder months is harsh.
Cause me to wear my overalls
I had to wear warmer clothing to protect myself from the cold.
Flat broke but it weren't my fault
I was broke, but it wasn't my fault.
Been used to eating pork now I'm eating the salt
I was once wealthy enough to eat pork, but now I'm poor and can only afford salt.
Met a woman in a pink mink fur
I met a woman wearing a pink mink fur coat.
Big fat mouth me follow her
I stupidly followed her even though she was rude to me.
She pulled a gun and she took my dough
She pulled out a gun and robbed me of my money.
Didn't eat my heart out didn't get sore
I didn't let it bother me or get angry about the situation.
That'll never happen no more... That'll never happen no more
I won't let that happen to me again.
Lyrics © SPIKEDRIVER LLC
Written by: Blind Blake, traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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