Weekend Song - Hall & Oates
Hall and Oates were huge when I was a kid, and still banging out some fine tunes when I was a kid in their hometown of Philadelphia. In the days before the travesties of Maneater and Private Eyes, it was undeniable that Darryl Hall was the greatest white soul singer since Michael McDonald.
Those days are a distant memory now, but thanks to the power of radio, today we have some fine songs - like this one, busting in and out in less than three minutes, blending soul, disco, R ‘n B and pop with horns, strings and everything.
Nina Simone covered this in 1978, and if it’s good enough for her, then it’s good enough here.
And don’t you know, don’t you know
that it’s wrong to take what is given you.
So far gone, on your own.
You can get along if you try to be strong
but you’ll never be strong.
Listen: Rich Girl
August 31st, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Poor Oates. Always in the big blonde’s shadow….
September 1st, 2008 at 3:49 am
Dont’ feel so bad for Oates. He dated Gilda Radner for years. Plus, 80 million records sold worldwide, 10 number one records, over 20 top 40 hits. HE ain’t doin too bad.
September 1st, 2008 at 8:42 am
The most successful double act in the world at the time. Bigger than Simon and Garfunkle, bigger than anyone.
Funny story, but when I was twelve I moved to France and visited a small village called Saint Paul de Vence on the second day of moving there. Back, St. Paul then it was a beautiful old village, far from now where it has become a destination for bus loads of tourists off cruises in Nice. I was an American kid in all but paperwork and I couldn’t have felt more like a fish out of water if I’d tried.
Anyway, sitting across the town square was Gilda Radner and Gene Wilder. This must have been 1982. Of course I went over to say hi because Stir Crazy was my favourite film at the time, and they were nice. It may have been awkward but I was twelve, and I didn’t remember.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:13 am
She and Gene got married there in 1984.
I didn’t know she’d been married to GE Smith.
Apparently I’m mistaken in thinking that John Oates dated her. I think I’m confused by the fact that he was her neighbor in the Dakota or something.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Cliff… Hall and Oates? Man, the only thing that would have soggied my Cherrios faster this morning would have been Huey Lewis (though, oddly, I loved him in ‘Duets’.)
And, Ed: I feel worse for Oates knowing that he dated Gilda Radner. Or do I consider it revenge for making me listen to the forementioned Maneater, Private Eyes, and - yes - Rich Girl…
But that is the beauty of music. Different things resonate to others for different reasons. I’m sure it is heresy for me to mention that I also cannot stand Steely Dan and Steve Winwood, and that I love Abba and Foghat.
Keep ‘em coming, Cliff.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
WHAT???? Huey Lewis and Darryl Hall?? I think you have a thing against white R ‘n B/pop/blues singers and that makes you a racist.
Also - Steely Dan have some great songs. Hey 19 is a classic. They popularised the mu major chord, as well. Jeez, Leemer, you think you know someone you’ve never met before…
September 1st, 2008 at 6:47 pm
That one really had my foot tapping, what fun little chaps.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Huey Lewis rocked HARD with Clover. He was a good friend to Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy.
The H+O songs are great- it’s the productions and arrangements I’m not a fan of.
September 1st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
That’s a bit mean, Ed - ‘nice body, shame about the face’ …
September 1st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I never said that!
Come to think of it though, he IS kinda ugly.
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:33 am
Cliff, as far as Steely Dan goes, they are one of those polarizing bands: you either “get” them or you don’t. I do not doubt their talent, or even their genius, but I just don’t “get” them.
Rush is another example of a polarizing band, but I DO get them.
I know - makes no sense. Or DOES it?
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I have a soft spot for Hall & Oates, but that might just be because of Sarah Smiles, which lots of lovely people in my past have sung to me (Sarah being my name, in case you hadn’t guessed).