 | This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2014) |
| "Private Eyes" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Side-A label of the US 7-inch vinyl single | ||||
| Single by Daryl Hall & John Oates | ||||
| from the album Private Eyes | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | August 1981 | |||
| Studio | Electric Lady, New York City | |||
| Genre |
| |||
| Length | 3:29 (album version) 3:09 (UK Mix) | |||
| Label | RCA Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Warren Pash, Sara Allen, Janna Allen, and Daryl Hall. | |||
| Producer(s) | Daryl Hall, John Oates, Neil Kernon | |||
| Daryl Hall & John Oates singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Private Eyes" on YouTube | ||||
"Private Eyes" is a 1981 single by American duo Daryl Hall & John Oates and the title track from their album of the same name. 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 (the first two being " Rich Girl" and " Kiss on My List"), and their second number one hit of the 1980s. It was succeeded in the number one position by Olivia Newton-John's " Physical," which was coincidentally succeeded by another single from Hall & Oates, " I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)".
Background and writing
The tune for "Private Eyes" was written by Warren Pash [3] and Janna Allen, with arrangement and chords by Daryl Hall. In an interview with American Songwriter, Daryl Hall states: "That's a real Janna Allen (co-writer and sister of Sara Allen) song. Janna, and I, and Warren Pash wrote that. Warren and Janna wrote most of the song, and I took it and changed it around – changed the chords. Sandy ( Sara Allen) and I wrote the lyrics. It's a real family song, the Allen sisters and me." [4]
The single carries a similar rhythm to the duo's number one hit from earlier that year, " Kiss on My List," with the difference being a handclap chorus that has made the song an audience-participation favorite at live Hall and Oates shows. It was one of the duo's first songs to appear in heavy rotation on MTV.
Record World called it a "perfectly-crafted title cut" from the album. [5]
Music video
|
The music video features the band dressed as stereotypical film-noir style, trenchcoat-wearing private detectives.
It was the first to feature the backup band of guitarist G. E. Smith, bassist Tom "T-Bone" Wolk, drummer Mickey Curry, and saxophonist/keyboardist Charles DeChant.
Personnel
- Daryl Hall – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, synthesizer
- John Oates – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- G.E. Smith – lead guitar
- John Siegler - bass
- Mickey Curry – drums
Chart performance
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada ( Music Canada) [13] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United States ( RIAA) [14] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
References
- ^ Breihan, Tom (May 20, 2020). "The Number Ones: Hall & Oates' "Private Eyes"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Troy L. (13 May 2021). "Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "SOCAN Awards Gala: A Night To Remember". FYI Music News, June 23, 2015
- ^ Sharp, Ken (2009-01-23). "HALL AND OATES: Soul Survivors « American Songwriter". Americansongwriter.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. August 22, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ " Daryl Hall & John Oates – Private Eyes". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ^ "Daryl Hall & John Oates: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ^ "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ^ "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Hall & Oates – Private Eyes". Music Canada. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Hall & Oates – Private Eyes". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
