It happened. I was sitting at my computer surfing the internet and the next thing I know I was on a page I…well, I’m ashamed to admit it, my mouse hovered over the button and before my better judgment could stop me I was clicking the mouse and sending a message to iTunes that I did want to purchase The Very Best of Hall and Oates. It was on sale. It was $5.99. Now when I go to my music I see this:
Oates trying to bring back that creepy feeling. Who rolled up the sleeve on Hall’s shirt?
Why did this happen? Why does anything happen on the internet? I am a weak man. A man who makes poor decisions when I let my guard down.
I know there are people out there who will ask, “What’s so wrong with Hall and Oates?” Yeah, what is wrong with Hall and Oates? Is there anyone out there who can listen to You Make My Dreams Come True without signing along? No! Don’t lie. Play that song on while driving your car and next thing you know people at the stoplight will be wondering if you are having a seizure or if you are listening to The Very Best of Hall and Oates. Yet, I still feel like I ate one too many slices of pizza.
One of the first things I bought with my own money was a radio with a dual tape deck. The hours of working at Cut Price Foods in Auckland, New Zealand earned me around 90 US dollars so when I passed through duty-free in LA I knew I would be buying a sweet sound system. By today’s standards the radio/tape deck was terrible, but I loved it and spent hours listening to the radio in those days when I thought DJs were the luckiest people in the world. My musical tastes were dictated by what was available, and what was available was pop radio. I did own a few Beatles tapes and Supertramp’s Breakfast in America, but most of the time I was listening to the radio play the same five songs by Pablo Cruise, Steele Dan, and Christopher Cross. (This did scar me, and I am sorry for those of you who lived through this time and are now forced to re-live it through my poorly constructed words. When I hear that the CIA used music to torture people I think, “I’ll bet it was Christopher Cross or Steele Dan.” How much do I hate Steele Dan? I leave stores when Steele Dan comes on over the loudspeakers, I wrote a radio station informing them that if they continued to play Steele Dan that I would find a new station. They wrote back and said that they had lots of people who listened to the station who liked Steele Dan which made me vomit in my mouth a little. I found a new station.)
Eventually, I found my way out. I began buying music at Tower Records (RIP) and discovered new worlds of music that had been there the whole time. For me, it was like discovering my closet had a secret door to an alternative universe. Looking back on it now, I realize my year in NZ prepared me for this new world. (Spending a year in another country does a great deal to change your perspective on life and truth. What, nobody cares who wins the Super Bowl? The US isn’t considered the greatest country ever? Why is there a beet on my hamburger?)
I don’t know why music has been so important to my existence, but I do know music has always been there for me. I guess, in some ways, I have become a music snob. I do judge people when they say, “I really like Steele Dan.” Or, “Aerosmith is the greatest American rock band.” I like people who introduce me to new music and think the most interesting people are people who know Cracker, Billy Holiday, Nina Simone, De La Soul, and Dread Zeppelin. But, to be perfectly honest, I want to have room in my music collection for Hanson’s MMM Bop, Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours, and Hall and Oates.
The same little voice inside my head that makes me feel bad when I drink a Budweiser is the same voice that asked, “You just bought The Very Best of Hall and Oates, what is wrong with you?” Maybe I should listen to this voice more often, but then I wouldn’t have purchased my first Rage Against the Machine album, or Rod Stewart’s Every Picture Tells a Story. This little voice has prevented me from doing really stupid things: Buying Christopher Cross’ Greatest Hits, drinking a Bud Light. The problem with that little voice can always be solved with a second Budweiser, or in this case, a second listen to You Make My Dreams Come True. “You, ooh, you makin’ my dreams come true…”
Categories: Ramblings
South of the Strait 
I can’t even ‘like’ this because of how much I hate Hall and Oates ;-). And…the kicker is, my husband, who was a DJ on the London club scene for goodness sake, loves Hall and Oates. And while he is not CIA, he does use them to torture me from time to time. Particularly Maneater. The thing is, I hate Phil Collins even more. So if you blog about your love for Phil, I may need to unfollow you. ;-).
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There is zero chance I will be writing a “I love Phil Collins” blog piece.
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Phew-phew-phewdio…
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Well, at the risk of alienating my two favourite blog authors, I like both Hall and Oates and Steely Dan. I really like the remixes from Daryl’s House. I could listen to No Can Do with Chromeo in replay for hours (and have.) Now, who do I love that both of you can hate? My current favourite is The Arkells. If you hate them that could affect our relationship. More likely, you’ve never heard of them.
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I have not heard of the Arkells, I even checked the YouTube
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I haven’t heard of them, I even listened to a couple songs on the YouTube to make sure I hadn’t heard their songs. They remind me of Counting Crows who I do like.
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I know Billy Holliday, but not some of the others, so I guess I could say I’m slightly interesting. To make myself seem more interesting, I’m leaving you this musical mystery link to ignore or enjoy.
(The song is mislabeled, BTW)
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Ok. So that came out less mysterious and Bigger than I thought. I’m only slightly intelligent, too.
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This song is awesome! I will wash that Hall and Oates right out of my hair by getting me some of this. This song moves you from potential interesting to very interesting.
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I’m not sure I’m ready for that leap. I’m so used to things the way they are.
But I’m glad you enjoyed the clip. Luther rocked it every time.
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I’ll put you on deck for really interesting.
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Never underestimate the power of nostalgia. And Steely Dan is pure California seventies mellow — there’s a time and place for it.
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My dislike of SD runs deep, but maybe I’ll learn to like them after my first stroke. I hear some people have personality changes after their brain doesn’t get oxygen fir extended periods.
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I won’t try to dissuade you because a dislike is a dislike and should be respected. And I will grant you that SD could be insufferably snooty. But they could write a good pop song: “Peg,” “Hey Nineteen,” “FM”… However, if it all comes down to hating Donald Fagen’s voice, there’s no hope.
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I have not heard of them, but we’re a tad behind you. Maybe in a few years from now.
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I hope SA isn’t 35 years behind the USA, but if you are, don’t let anyone take a photo of you with a mullet.
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Mullet…Ah man, are you telling me it’s not in fashion anymore? Darn it. I’ve just wasted the whole summer! #@^$
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Hey Jon: http://www.stereogum.com/1732741/steely-dan-albums-from-worst-to-best/list/
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He put his finger right on my dislike of Steele Dan, or shall I say, the comments he collected were exactly why I can’t stand Steele Dan. Nasally Elvis Costello🎯.
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“PEG It will come back to you
then the shutter falls / you see it all in 3-D / it’s your favorite foreign movie…”
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I am with you entirely on the intense hatred of Steely Dan.
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I suppose. But I don’t think I need to hear “Kiss on my List” ever again. Ever. P.S. Steely Dan touring this summer with opening act Elvis Costello. Go fig.
Hall + Oats on a very bad night.
http://www.break.com/video/hall-and-oates-had-a-really-bad-night-2753337
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