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Monday, June 12, 2017

"Out of Touch" by Daryl Hall & John Oates

#1 Alert!
Song#:  2068
Date:  09/29/1984
Debut:  48
Peak:  1 (2 weeks)
Weeks:  23
Genre:  Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul, Dance



Pop Bits:  After issuing a hits package that included two new Top 10's, Hall & Oates had to get back to business and record their twelfth studio album. Armed with an significant budget, the pair used the latest technology to assist in the recording of Big Bam Boom. They even brought on star remixer/producer Arthur Baker to help give the tracks a more urban flavor and mix. It all worked out well for them when this first single became their sixth #1 hit. It would also top the Dance chart while getting to #8 AC and #24 R&B. The multi-format smash would be the duo's final one to reach #1 on the Pop chart. The album would get to #5 and become their third in a row to reach double-platinum status.

ReduxReview:  This was a hot track back in the day. It sounded so damn good. There just seemed to be some extra meat on the bones and I think that helped sell it on the radio (along with the duo's massive popularity at the time). Is it one of their best hits? I don't think so. I'd put the majority of their Top 10's above this one. In fact, I rarely hear it anymore. While many of their hits still get significant airplay, this one has kind of gotten lost. It's definitely an above-average song for them, but it falls short of being one of their classics.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Throughout their career, many folks simply referred to the duo as "Hall & Oates." A lot of people in the press and even on TV would use that shortened moniker when discussing them. However, that was not their official name. From the time of their debut LP in 1972, their full names were listed on any cover and in the credits. In fact, with the exception of their self-titled album in 1975, they didn't even use an ampersand. The credit on the cover was simply "Daryl Hall John Oates" in various layouts. The shorter Hall & Oates name seemed to get started in the media as it was an easier, quicker, and shorter reference. The pair never seemed to mind the shorter version, but it is not their official name.

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2 comments:

  1. 8/10, while they would have several more Top 40 hits after this song I truly thought "Out Of Touch" was their last great single even though it's not quite as strong as their earlier hits like "You Make My Dreams", "Private Eyes" and "I Can't Go For That" (the latter being my #1 favorite Hall & Oates tune).

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    1. "I Can't Go for That" is also my fave of theirs. What a classic. I never get tired of it.

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