Daryl Hall & John Oates are one of the most beloved rock duos of all time. With five Grammy Awards, 63 Top-40 offerings, multiple gold and platinum records, and a string of international hit singles, Daryl Hall and John Oates remain one of America’s most successful and beloved duos.

 

Daryl Hall & John Oates The Beginning

 

The story of Daryl Hall and John Oates began in Philadelphia, PA in 1967. Aspiring singers, Hall and Oates were both members of the popular local band Gulliver, before forming a duo. Making use of their mutual affinity for music and songwriting, the duo released their debut album “Whole Oates” in 1972.

The duo’s signature sound harnessed both rock and roll energy, while integrating elements of Motown soul, R&B, and even country. This genre-bending approach won them fans around the world. Their second album “Abandoned Luncheonette” featured the single “She’s Gone” which became an international hit.

 

 

 

From then, the duo achieved other successes with hits such as “Rich Girl”, “Kiss on My List”, “Private Eyes”, and “Maneater”, all of which reached the top 10 on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their most successful album “Bigger Than Both of Us” (1976) featured the hit single “Sara Smile”, a song that has since become the duo’s signature song.

As singer, songwriters, and musicians, Daryl Hall & John Oates are unmatched. Their music is lyrically insightful, melodically strong, rhythmically soulful, and ultimately timeless. Their ability to bring out the best in each other as performers, while pushing the limits of their own individual talents has earned them the title of “the most successful pop recording duo of the rock era.”

The duo’s other artistic pursuits have included various television appearances, a movie (1988’s “Heartbreak”), and a biographical film (2009’s “Do What You Wanna Do: The Music of Daryl Hall and John Oates”). They have also hosted their own show on Sirius XM, on which they discussed music and culture.

 

Hall and Oates’ influence transcends generations, eras, and genres. Their soulful harmonies, infectious rhythms, and honest songwriting have touched the lives of millions of fans around the world. They are an undeniable force in American music, and continue to produce music that endures decades after its release.

Let’s take a look at their singles and albums over the years.

 

Daryl Hall & John Oates Singles

Although huge in the US Hall and Oates had limited chart success in the UK.  I will name the song the year released and chart position reached in the US and where applicable the UK. I will only list the songs that made the top 50.

1. Sara Smile (1976) (4)
2. She’s Gone (re-release) (1976) (7) (42)
3. Do What You Want, Be What You Are (1976) (39)
4. Rich Girl (1977) (1)
5. Back Together Again (1977) (28)
6. It’s A Laugh (1978) (20)
7. I Don’t Wanna Lose You (1978) (42)
8. Wait For Me (1979) (18)
9. Running From Paradise (1980) (41 UK)
10. How Does It Feel To Be Back (1980) (30)
11. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ ( 1980) (12)
12. Kiss On My List (1981) (1) (33)
13. You Make My Dreams (1981) (5)
14. Private Eyes (1981) (1) (32)
15. I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) (1) (8)
16. Did It In A Minute (1982) (9)
17. Your Imagination (1982) (33)
18. Maneater (1982) (1) (6)
19. One On One (1983) (7)
20. Family Man (1983) (8) (15)
21. Say It Isn’t So (1983) (2)
22. Adult Education (1984) (8)
23. Out Of Touch (1984) (1) (48)
24. Method Of Modern Love (1985) (5) (21)
25. Some Things Are Better Unsaid (1985) (18)
26. Possession Obsession (1985) (30)
27. Everything Your Heart Desires (1988) (3)
28. Missed Opportunity (1988) (29)
29. Downtown Life (1988) (31)
30. So Close (1990) (11)
31. Don’t Hold Back Your Love (1991) (41)

 

 

 

 

Daryl Hall & John Oates Albums

 

1. Whole Oats (1972) Didn’t chart
2. Abandoned Luncheonette (1973) (33)
3. War Babies (1974) (86)
4. Daryl Hall & John Oates (1975) (17) (56)
5. Bigger Than Both Of Us (1976) (13) (25)
6. Beauty On A Back Street (1977) (30) (40)
7. Along The Red Ledge (1978) (27)
8. Livetime (1978) (42)
9. X-Static (1979) (33)
10. Voices (1980) (17)
11. Private Eyes (1981) (5) (8)
12. H2O (1982) (3) (24)
13. Rock ‘n’ Soul Part 1 (1983) (7) (16)
14. Big Bam Boom (1984) (5) (28)
15. Ooh Yeah! (1985) (24) (52)
16. Live At The Apollo with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick (1985) (21) (32)
17. Change Of Season (1990) (80) (44)
18. Looking Back – The Best Of Daryl Hall & John Oates (1991) (9 UK)
19. Marigold Sky (1997) (95)
20. The Very Best Of Daryl Hall & John Oates (2001) (34)
21. Do It For Love (2003) (77) (37)
22. Our Kind Of Soul (2004) (69) (86)

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Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed this look at Daryl Hall & John Oates. Please leave a comment below and let me know  your particular favourite. Perhaps you have seen them in concert, let me know what it was like, I would be interested to know.

 

 

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If you get a minute could you please pop over to my Facebook Page and join us. I plan to build this page this year as I have more time on my hands since retiring.  I am trying to get people to share their favourite 70s music.  As you know we do not all like the same songs and it would be great to hear page members favourite 70s songs.  I hope to see you there soon.

Thanks For Visiting Today. Make sure you come back as I build the site, leave a comment below if there is any singer or group you think I should add to the site.