Song of the Day 2/17: Hall & Oates, “It’s Uncanny”
Not long ago I heard something I didn’t think was possible — a song by Daryl Hall and John Oates I didn’t know. And I don’t mean some 21st-century recording (I’m sure I’ve missed some of those) but a tune from their early years on Atlantic Records.
After the duo’s third LP, “War Babies,” flopped in 1974, they left Atlantic Records for RCA. The move started to pay off in 1976, when both “Sara Smile” and “Rich Girl” reached the Top 10, Rich Girl at No. 1. The company never promoted the band much before that, but it tried to cash in by releasing a greatest hits album from the vaults, “No Goodbyes,” in 1977.
Atlantic juiced the collection by dusting off a few previously unreleased cuts, including “It’s Uncanny.” Released as a the LP’s single, the feather-light blue-eyed soul confection snuck into the Hot 100, but peaked at No. 80.
My rock and roll teenage self dismissed Hall and Oates, but now I have some modest respect. “feather-light light blue-eyed soul” captures it nicely.
I thought ‘Abandoned Luncheonette’ was a great album.
That was before they perfected their hit-making formula.
As Liberace once said when he was dismissed by musical snobs, “I cry all the way to the bank.”
For some of the best music-making ever, track down “Live from Daryl’s House.” https://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/archive.html (For whatever reason, the early episodes are not here.)
I spotted an error in the headline. It’s not “Hall & Oats” but “Daryl Hall and John Oates”.
And that’s why these guys have a rabid following among obnoxious pendants the world over.
Puck, that’s happened to me with some bands.