Private Eyes (song)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2014) |
"Private Eyes" | ||||
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Single by Daryl Hall & John Oates | ||||
from the album Private Eyes | ||||
B-side |
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Released | August 1981 | |||
Studio | Electric Lady Studios (New York City) | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
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 | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Private Eyes" on YouTube |
"Private Eyes" is a 1981 single by Daryl Hall & John 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 (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[1] 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."[2]
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.
Music video[]
This section does not cite any sources. (November 2020) |
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
- Tom Wolk - bass
- Mickey Curry – drums
Chart performance[]
Weekly charts[]
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Year-end charts[]
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See also[]
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1981
References[]
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Charts.nz – 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.
- ^ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.4689&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
External links[]
- 1981 singles
- Hall & Oates songs
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Cashbox number-one singles
- Songs written by Daryl Hall
- Songs written by Janna Allen
- RCA Records singles
- Songs written by Sara Allen
- 1981 songs