defend the indefensible: Hall and Oates

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I've been playing their cover of "Family Man" nonstop for three days now. Everything about it is great: that guitar break! the Oates harmonies! Daryl Hall was always an asshole, and in this song he surrenders to the persona.

This song never gets as much love as "I Can Go For That."

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:11 (twenty-one years ago)

How are the studio albums? I have two of their greatest hits, both of which are unimpeachable; the only song I'm not sick of is "Did It In A Minute," which sounds like the theme song for an early '80s sitcom.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Daryl Hall was always an asshole, and in this song he surrenders to the persona.

Which is funny in that he didn't write the song. (It was the dudes who wrote "Like a Virgin" for Madonna a couple of years later.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:15 (twenty-one years ago)

He always came off like one of those moderately talented cute guys who thinks these qualities afford him the right to be smug.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, Ned, do you own that mid '80s Daryl Hall solo album? I vaguely remember "Dreamtime" from my childhood.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Moderately talented! You're fired.

Never owned that album but "Dreamtime" was as close as Dave Stewart got (along with "Don't Come Around Here No More" for Tom Petty) for trying to make pop/psych that got on the radio via production. But Prince was doing far better on that front overall.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I remember lots of swirly pseudo-psyechelic strings and backwards shit on the outro. It sounded very expensive - and, yes, very reminiscent of "Don't Come Around Here No More"

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:23 (twenty-one years ago)

i love hall and oates and play the greateest hits all the time but :
they have had only 5 singles from 15 albums

― La Camilla Henemark, Monday, 14 February 2005 02:25 (twenty-one years ago)

"It's a laugh/it's so stupid/THAT I GOTTA LAUGH!"

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:31 (twenty-one years ago)

their version of "i'll be around" is pretty nice!

― stockholm cindy's secret childhood (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:35 (twenty-one years ago)

M-E-T-H-O-D-O-F-L-O-V-E
-- Dan Perry (djperr...), January 2nd, 2004.
reminds me of debbie harry singing"anytime ,anywhere "in "call me ".

"out of touch" is brilliant ."everytime you go away" is clasic,"everything your heart desires" was the comeback song .

― La Camilla Henemark, Monday, 14 February 2005 02:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I prefer Paul Young singing "Everything Your Heart Desires"; he's got the heart that Hall lacks.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 14 February 2005 02:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Listening to the greatest hits for the first time in a while and am surprised by how wonderfully *weird* the beatbox drumbeat for "I Can't Go For That" is. Astoundingly funky as well, of course.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 21 February 2005 05:12 (twenty-one years ago)

does " maneater" bassline sound like "supremes/phil collins"you can't hurry love ?"

― La Camilla Henemark, Monday, 21 February 2005 07:22 (twenty-one years ago)

it totally sounds like "You Can't Hurry Love," which is a good portion of its genius. (see also the Jam's "A Town Called Malice.")

Abandoned Luncheonette is one of the most underrated albums ever made. well, actually, the second half does fall apart some (trying waaaay too hard to be "deep" and shit, though "Laughing Boy" does have a nice tune and "Lady Rain" pulls it off), but side one is DYNAMITE. "When the Morning Comes" = some of the coolest, most understated Moog action evah + beyond-perfect "whoo" harmonies + wonderful folk acoustic strum + marvelous bridge, esp. Daryl's high notes. "Had I Know You Better Then" = gorgeous mumbly Oates vocal + that piercing little guitar punctuating the chorus + sudden drama in final chorus-buildup/breakdown, John cool and understated against Hall's urgency and then dissolving back into the rippling harmonies. "Las Vegas Turnaround" = the greatest Belle & Sebastian song ever written (I stole this comparison, though not the rating, from Douglas Wolk), the ricky-tick drums and jazzy guitars/electric keybs are like a more humane early Steely Dan. "She's Gone" = a monument, one of the records I beat myself up about for not including on my top-100-singles-of-the-'70s list, the first 45 seconds are the greatest thing I've ever heard to listen to while stoned out of your gourd, totally widescreen cinematic verse-to-chorus transitions, the breakdown w/the bass solo and guitar stuff and horns and the sudden stop is one of the most honestly dramatic pieces of music I know. I played it obsessively all of 2004 and want to do so again right now. "I'm Just a Kid (Don't Make Me Feel Like a Man)" = tentative and folky and oversensitive but fuck it, after those first four they've earned it. everything else they did was, is, gravy.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Monday, 21 February 2005 09:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I've only ever heard the singles for that album and it sounds like I've missed out...

the sudden stop is one of the most honestly dramatic pieces of music I know

Easily.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 21 February 2005 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Damn, Matos. We should get stoned and listen to "Big Bam Boom" together.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 21 February 2005 14:45 (twenty-one years ago)

eight months pass...

http://www.channel101.com/media/shows/shw_000152/epi_000241/thumb_001329.jpg

― 57 7th (calstars), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 02:36 (twenty years ago)

I got the remastered H20 a few months ago; it has not left my CD changer. Even Oates' "Italian Girls" is marvelous.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 02:58 (twenty years ago)

Oh man, that song. I fear.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 03:08 (twenty years ago)

Wow, did H&O really have a DTI thread on this board that recently?? Scary.

Recently, I'm thinking "Your Imagination" = best H&O song. Except it's really still "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 03:19 (twenty years ago)

This is a really timely revive. Just the other day at the railway station, I saw a group of actual, real-life YOUNG people toting a big stereo, PUMPING "I Can't Go For That" and like, totally grooving along to it. It was amazing. About a dozen of them!

― edward o (edwardo), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 03:22 (twenty years ago)

Recently, I'm thinking "Your Imagination" = best H&O song.

Amen. You've discovered the Holy Grail, my son. I can write pages about that song. Luvluvluv the organ.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 03:25 (twenty years ago)

I need to get Private Eyes. Between "Your Imagination," ICGFT and the title track, could the album possibly be less than a 9.0?

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 03:30 (twenty years ago)

I'd give it an 8.0; there's a couple of meh album tracks. I prefer H20, although with the exceptions of "Open All Night" and "Family Man" (the latter of which they didn't write) it's got no single song as awesome as "Your Imagination" or "I Can Go For That."

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 03:35 (twenty years ago)

seven months pass...

"It's a laugh/it's so stupid/THAT I GOTTA LAUGH!"

This actually might be one of their most underrated songs. "I Don't Wanna Lose You" as well (he says, while listening to same).

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 11 June 2006 20:54 (twenty years ago)

I thought this was gonna be Nath reviving the thread after I mocked her on last fm.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Sunday, 11 June 2006 20:57 (twenty years ago)

I did a fab rendition of "You Make My Dreams" at karaoke a few mths ago.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Sunday, 11 June 2006 21:26 (twenty years ago)

Okay, maybe it's "Did It In a Minute."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 11 June 2006 21:33 (twenty years ago)

"Did It In a Minute" sounds like the theme song to an early '80s sitcom, no? ("Too Close to Comfort," "Joani Loves Chachi")

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Sunday, 11 June 2006 21:39 (twenty years ago)

And Mike Daddino is on-target re: "Say It Isn't So."

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Sunday, 11 June 2006 21:47 (twenty years ago)

"Did It In a Minute" sounds like the theme song to an early '80s sitcom, no?

But so superior.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 11 June 2006 22:02 (twenty years ago)

But it's all about "Your Imagination."

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Sunday, 11 June 2006 22:17 (twenty years ago)

I had to sit through the entirely of "Everytime you go away" on a school trip coach, when someone decided it was a good idea to put "Trains Planes and Automobiles" on the TV. I have heard this excruciating song done by several people over the years, and a mousy female's horrific intepretation just about pushed me over the edge. Avoid!!!!!!!!!!!!

And don't get me started on "We are the World"

― JTS (JTS), Monday, 12 June 2006 01:50 (twenty years ago)

CALIFORNIA VAGINA SAILORS, even if it was said by the fake john oates in yacht rock.

also, they are from philly. i live in philly. therefore, they're awesome.

― mts (theoreticalgirl), Monday, 12 June 2006 02:26 (twenty years ago)

Alfred OTM re "Your Imagination." And check for the video.

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Monday, 12 June 2006 06:37 (twenty years ago)

Did anyone see the Seattle show on Friday?

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Monday, 12 June 2006 06:37 (twenty years ago)

damn, mandee to thread!

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Monday, 12 June 2006 08:21 (twenty years ago)

and uh hall & oates are classic, of course.

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Monday, 12 June 2006 08:46 (twenty years ago)

JTS, neither of those songs have much to do with hall and oates....

been listening to Sacred Songs again lately in lite of the Exposure reissue, the stretch from babs and babs-urban landscape-nycny-the father away I am is pretty awesome.

― kyle (akmonday), Monday, 12 June 2006 20:32 (twenty years ago)

War Babies is quite great - something like Philly soul boys channelling Bowie in concept. I see Hall and Oates as Todd Rundgren's less cosmic brothers, and I mean that in a good way.

― LC (Damian), Monday, 12 June 2006 20:48 (twenty years ago)

i'm mostly a free/avant jazz guy. but my idea of perfect pop songs always includes H&O's "Sara Smile", "She's Gone", and "Everytime You Go Away."

I also have a known weakness for ELO.

― J Arthur Rank (Quin Tillian), Monday, 12 June 2006 21:05 (twenty years ago)

chalk me up as stupid, I didn't realize until now that hall and oates had recorded "everytime you go away"; the paul young version was a much bigger hit, right?

― kyle (akmonday), Monday, 12 June 2006 21:11 (twenty years ago)

Yes, v. much so.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 12 June 2006 21:12 (twenty years ago)

Not sure how I missed this thread until now - I mean, I'm the biggest H&O fan 'round these parts. They're the first group I ever truly loved, and I will do so always. They are FUCKING BRILLIANT, and have made some of the greatest pop (and soul!) songs evah. Matos OTM re: Abandoned Luncheonette, though he failed to note the titled track, which is gorgeous. And yes, "Your Imagination" is their greatest single song. Don't sleep on Daryl's Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine, either - it badly needs a remaster, but is better than you remember.

― Thomas Inskeep (submeat), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 14:52 (twenty years ago)

I'm totally fine with Three Hearts, the combination of Hall and Jeff Lynne worked better than most.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 15:02 (twenty years ago)

I finally got Three Hearts... on vinyl about a year ago. Beneath the superstar pomp and bombastic arrangements lies one of Hall's very best ballads: "Foolish Pride." The single "Dreamtime" is very good. The rest I'll let Thomas or someone else defend.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 15:04 (twenty years ago)

You mean David Stewart, Ned. An understandable error: both men had weaknesses for perms, paisley vests, cowboy boots, and Fisher Price psychedelia.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 15:05 (twenty years ago)

I don't get these guys at all but maybe I haven't heard enough *deep album cuts* or sump'm!

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 15:09 (twenty years ago)

You mean David Stewart, Ned. An understandable error: both men had weaknesses for perms, paisley vests, cowboy boots, and Fisher Price psychedelia.

Hahah, all too true. :-) "Dreamtime" is mighty great. I haven't heard the album in years upon years -- had it on vinyl and somewhere in the late eighties I let it go...

I don't get these guys at all

#@!@#!$!@#!@#$!@$!@#$!#

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 15:29 (twenty years ago)

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