Private Eyes (Hall & Oates album)
Encyclopedia
Private Eyes is the tenth studio album from blue-eyed soul
duo Daryl Hall and John Oates, released in 1981. A hit, it stands not only as a definitive album for the duo, but as a notable album for the music of the decade, combining pop, rock, R&B and soul genres.
The album includes 2 Number one hits—the title track, "Private Eyes" and "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)
," as well as the Top Ten hit "Did It in a Minute." "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" also spent a week at the top of the R&B
charts – a rare accomplishment for a "white" act.
charts with "She's Gone," "Sara Smile," and "Rich Girl", the group didn't return to major mainstream success until they released a cover version of The Righteous Brothers
' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" on its 1980 album, Voices
. The heavy airplay eventually led to the duo's first Number One hit in four years, the Voices release, "Kiss on My List" in early 1981.
As the liner notes to the 2004 Private Eyes reissue indicate, it was while Daryl Hall and John Oates were recording the follow-up album in their adopted hometown of New York City
, during the spring of 1981, that "Kiss On My List" went to Number One in three trade publications. Determined to follow up on their success, the duo produced Private Eyes assisted by their co-producer Neil Kernon
.
The title track of Private Eyes builds on the punchy sound of "Kiss on My List." The handclap chorus and vocal/keyboard hooks of the recording were augmented by the promotional video
, featuring the band wearing detective
garb (trench coats, fedoras
, and suits
). It was one of the duo's earliest hit videos on MTV
.
While the "Private Eyes" tune remains a rock-and-soul signature of the duo, its huge success was eclipsed by the second single from the Private Eyes album -- "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)," released in the fall of 1981 before the start of the Christmas
season. It topped the pop, R&B and dance club charts. It remains one of the few songs by a white act to top both pop and R&B, and among the most heavily-sampled songs in the history of hip hop
(for a list of acts who've covered/quoted from it, see the entry for the song
).
The other charted songs from the Private Eyes album include the Top 40 hit "Your Imagination," and "Did It in a Minute," a Top Ten hit with a similar rhythm to "Private Eyes" and "Kiss On My List."
Among the other entries on the album is "Looking for a Good Sign," which the duo (in the original liner notes) dedicates to the original lineup of The Temptations
, a major influence
on Hall and Oates. The duo would eventually perform with classic Tempts vocalists David Ruffin
and Eddie Kendrick at Live Aid
and on their Live at the Apollo
album in 1985. According to American Songwriter, Daryl Hall states:“Looking for A Good Sign” was one of the few songs in my life that I actually dreamed. I woke up in the morning and ran to the tape recorder and sang my dream into the tape recorder and got that. It’s great… it’s a dream song." Hall & Oates also sang with The Temptations at their Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Hall & Oates' biggest success would come the following year with the album H2O
, but many critics term Private Eyes as their creative and cultural peak, not only for its artistic and commercial success but for its influence. []http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/halloates/albums/album/133641/review/5941416/private_eyes
Blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul is a media term that was used to describe rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, with a strong pop music influence. The term was first used in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and...
duo Daryl Hall and John Oates, released in 1981. A hit, it stands not only as a definitive album for the duo, but as a notable album for the music of the decade, combining pop, rock, R&B and soul genres.
The album includes 2 Number one hits—the title track, "Private Eyes" and "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)
I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)
"I Can't Go for That " is a 1981 song recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates.It was the fourth number-one hit single of their career on the Billboard Hot 100 and the second hit single from their album Private Eyes...
," as well as the Top Ten hit "Did It in a Minute." "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" also spent a week at the top of the R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
charts – a rare accomplishment for a "white" act.
Background and writing
Though the act had hit the upper reaches of the BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
charts with "She's Gone," "Sara Smile," and "Rich Girl", the group didn't return to major mainstream success until they released a cover version of The Righteous Brothers
The Righteous Brothers
The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. They recorded from 1963 through 1975, and continued to perform until Hatfield's death in 2003...
' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" on its 1980 album, Voices
Voices (Hall & Oates album)
Voices is the title of the ninth studio album by Hall & Oates, released in 1980.-History:The album slowly became a massive hit, spinning off four singles into the top 40 of the American pop charts: "How Does It Feel to Be Back" , "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" , "Kiss on My List" , and "You Make...
. The heavy airplay eventually led to the duo's first Number One hit in four years, the Voices release, "Kiss on My List" in early 1981.
As the liner notes to the 2004 Private Eyes reissue indicate, it was while Daryl Hall and John Oates were recording the follow-up album in their adopted hometown of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, during the spring of 1981, that "Kiss On My List" went to Number One in three trade publications. Determined to follow up on their success, the duo produced Private Eyes assisted by their co-producer Neil Kernon
Neil Kernon
Neil Kernon is a musician/record producer/mixer/recording engineer - from London, England.He has worked with a number of artists over the last 30 years, but may be best known for his work with Hall & Oates on three of their most important albums - 1980's Voices, 1981's Private Eyes, and 1982's H2O...
.
Track listing
- "Private EyesPrivate Eyes (song)"Private Eyes" is the hit 1981 single by Hall & Oates and the title track from their album of that year. The song was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks, from November 7 through November 20, 1981. This single was the band's third of six number one hits , and their second...
" (Sara Allen, Janna Allen, Daryl Hall, Warren Pash) - 3:39 - "Looking for a Good Sign" (Hall) - 3:57
- "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"I Can't Go for That " is a 1981 song recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates.It was the fourth number-one hit single of their career on the Billboard Hot 100 and the second hit single from their album Private Eyes...
" (S. Allen, Hall, John Oates) - 5:09 - "Mano a Mano" (Oates) - 3:56
- "Did It in a Minute" (S. Allen, J. Allen, Hall) - 3:39
- "Head Above Water" (S. Allen, Hall, Oates) - 3:36
- "Tell Me What You Want" (S. Allen, Hall) - 3:51
- "Friday Let Me Down" (S. Allen, Hall, Oates) - 3:35
- "Unguarded Minute" (S. Allen, Hall, Oates) - 4:10
- "Your Imagination" (Hall) - 3:34
- "Some Men" (Hall) - 4:15
- "Your Imagination" (12" Version) *
- "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" (12" Version) *
- Tracks 12 & 13 are bonus tracks from the 2004 BMG re-release.
Personnel
- Daryl Hall: Lead & Backing Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin, Keyboards, Synthesizers. Mandocello, Vibraphone, Percussion, Mandola
- John Oates: Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Lead & Backing Vocals, Mando-Guitars
- Jerry MarottaJerry MarottaJerry Marotta is a drummer currently residing in Woodstock, New York. He is the brother of Rick Marotta, who is also a well-known drummer and composer....
: Drums, Percussion - Jimmy MaelenJimmy MaelenJimmy Maelen was a percussionist in the 1960s-1980s, who worked with many artists including Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Dire Straits, Barry Manilow, Alice Cooper and John Lennon...
: Percussion - Charles DeChantCharles DeChantCharles "Mr. Casual" DeChant is the saxophone and keyboard player for the multi-platinum selling recording artists Hall & Oates. He has been playing in the band since its inception in the early 1970s. Notable saxophone solos are heard in "Maneater," "Say It Isn't So," and "I Can't Go for That ."...
: Keyboards, Saxophone - Larry FastLarry FastLawrence Roger 'Larry' Fast is a synthesizer expert and composer. He is best known for Synergy, his 1975–1987 series of synthesizer music albums, and for his contribution to a number of popular music acts, including Peter Gabriel, Foreigner, and Hall and Oates.- Biography :Fast grew up in...
: Synthesizer Programming - Ray Gomez: Guitars
- Mickey CurryMickey CurryMichael Timothy Curry is an American drummer. He is best known for his long-term collaboration with the singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, although he has also worked with Hall & Oates, Cher, Tina Turner, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Sam Phillips, Tom Waits, The Cult, Steve Jones and...
: Drums, Percussion - John Siegler: Bass
- G.E. Smith, Jeff Southworth: Additional Electric & Acoustic Guitars
- John Jarett: Backing Vocals
- Chuck BurgiChuck BurgiChuck Burgi is an American drummer and session musician. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he is the brother of actor Richard Burgi....
: Drums, Percussion
Singles and notable songs
The following singles were released from the album, with the highest charting positions listed.| # | Title | Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
UK singles UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Private Eyes Private Eyes (song) "Private Eyes" is the hit 1981 single by Hall & Oates and the title track from their album of that year. The song was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks, from November 7 through November 20, 1981. This single was the band's third of six number one hits , and their second... " |
1 | 32 |
| 2. | "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) "I Can't Go for That " is a 1981 song recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates.It was the fourth number-one hit single of their career on the Billboard Hot 100 and the second hit single from their album Private Eyes... " |
1 | 8 |
| 3. | "Did It in a Minute" | 9 | - |
| 4. | "Your Imagination" | 33 | - |
The title track of Private Eyes builds on the punchy sound of "Kiss on My List." The handclap chorus and vocal/keyboard hooks of the recording were augmented by the promotional video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, featuring the band wearing detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
garb (trench coats, fedoras
Fedora (hat)
A fedora is a men's felt hat. In reality, "fedora" describes most any men's hat that does not already have another name; quite a few fedoras have famous names of their own including the famous Trilby....
, and suits
Suit (clothing)
In clothing, a suit is a set of garments made from the same cloth, consisting of at least a jacket and trousers. Lounge suits are the most common style of Western suit, originating in the United Kingdom as country wear...
). It was one of the duo's earliest hit videos on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
.
While the "Private Eyes" tune remains a rock-and-soul signature of the duo, its huge success was eclipsed by the second single from the Private Eyes album -- "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)," released in the fall of 1981 before the start of the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
season. It topped the pop, R&B and dance club charts. It remains one of the few songs by a white act to top both pop and R&B, and among the most heavily-sampled songs in the history of hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
(for a list of acts who've covered/quoted from it, see the entry for the song
I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)
"I Can't Go for That " is a 1981 song recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates.It was the fourth number-one hit single of their career on the Billboard Hot 100 and the second hit single from their album Private Eyes...
).
The other charted songs from the Private Eyes album include the Top 40 hit "Your Imagination," and "Did It in a Minute," a Top Ten hit with a similar rhythm to "Private Eyes" and "Kiss On My List."
Among the other entries on the album is "Looking for a Good Sign," which the duo (in the original liner notes) dedicates to the original lineup of The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, a major influence
Social influence
Social influence occurs when an individual's thoughts, feelings or actions are affected by other people. Social influence takes many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, leadership, persuasion, sales, and marketing...
on Hall and Oates. The duo would eventually perform with classic Tempts vocalists David Ruffin
David Ruffin
Davis Eli "David" Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968...
and Eddie Kendrick at Live Aid
Live Aid
Live Aid was a dual-venue concert that was held on 13 July 1985. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. Billed as the "global jukebox", the event was held simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom ...
and on their Live at the Apollo
Live at the Apollo (Hall & Oates album)
Live at the Apollo is an album by Daryl Hall & John Oates released in 1985, recorded live at the Apollo Theater in New York. It is subtitled "With David Ruffin & Eddie Kendrick", of The Temptations-fame. The album is a mixture of their classics and some then-current songs by Hall & Oates...
album in 1985. According to American Songwriter, Daryl Hall states:“Looking for A Good Sign” was one of the few songs in my life that I actually dreamed. I woke up in the morning and ran to the tape recorder and sang my dream into the tape recorder and got that. It’s great… it’s a dream song." Hall & Oates also sang with The Temptations at their Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Hall & Oates' biggest success would come the following year with the album H2O
H2O (Hall & Oates album)
H2O is the eleventh studio album from Daryl Hall and John Oates, released in 1982. A hit, it featured three top 10 US singles, one being "Maneater", which was the biggest hit of their career, spending four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts...
, but many critics term Private Eyes as their creative and cultural peak, not only for its artistic and commercial success but for its influence. []http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/halloates/albums/album/133641/review/5941416/private_eyes