By this time, Hall and Oates had picked up and moved to a
$95-a-month flat in New York City. What followed was War Babies, a glittery, street-rock
tribute to urban desolation, with Todd Rundgren producing.
Not surprisingly, their folk and soul fans were repelled.
With sales at 100,000, the album appeared to tap an urban market, but matters with
Atlantic Records were coming to an impasse. "They didn't know what to do with
us," says Oates, "and we didn't 'know what to do with them."
In May 1975 they signed with RCA and recorded Daryl Hall
& John Oates, their well-known "silver album." It developed the metallic
R&B fusion of Luncheonette and, more importantly, contained a hit single, "Sara
Smile." Hall wrote the ballad for his longtime girlfriend, Sandy (Sara) |
 
John
driving his Alfa - 'I don't mess with Mr. In-Between'
Allen, a lissome ex-stewardess who sometimes coauthors his
lyrics. "I wrote that song like a postcard to her," says Hall. "Y'know,' I
love you.' Musically about as elementary as you get. As we get."
Gay chic was coming out its closet just about then and in a
moment of go-for-broke, Hall and Oates posed for the album cover shot wearing heavy
makeup. The photo, combined with Daryl Hall's camp mannerisms onstage (though not off),
prompted questions about the team's sex life that haven't gone away. Were they lovers who
make music together? |
Daryl Hall and John Oates
German Website
