John Oates (4) (1948–)

I waited for the book with much anticipation as I'm a hard-core H&O fan and most of my fave songs were written and sung by John. Change of Seasons was for the longest time my fave album of theirs and I adore the title song, so using it for the title of the book was really all I needed. Then life happened and finding the time for such a big book became a challenge. So a little sheepishly I'm only getting to it now.

I admit I was shocked by all the metaphors in the prose. I initially thought show more that was Epting's touch (he was chatting to us fans while he was working on the book) until I remembered how much I love the imagery in the songs. I especially loved hearing about the process of making the 70s albums, my own personal 70s Scenario (my fave song off of War Babies). Never been a fan of the first two albums but I'm planning on going back and listening to them with John's thoughts on the songs. I wish similar discussions had happened with my other fave album, H2O, but it does sound like that time of his life was a blur. (I didn't expect anything about my third fave, Beauty on a Back Street, since they've said repeatedly that they hate it for some reason.)

I really loved going down John's memory lane. I had no idea about what had happened after 1985 so I appreciated his honesty about things. I also appreciate that he says up front that he's not going to speak for Daryl. Since Daryl's always been the more outspoken of the two, it was really nice just sitting with his voice.

Speaking of his voice, I listened to the CD that came with it. Change of Season was a crushing disappointment. I cued up the album and there I found out what was missing - the percussion. The piano and drums, plus where the breaks are, bring the song to a whole other level. I'm happy that John has found his musical voice away from Daryl but I'm sad that I'm not following him there.

I'm only sorry that I read the hardcover. I have now heard the paperback has additional material. show less

Kind of a so-so memoir. His early years before his success are much more interesting. There is no insight into his relationship with Daryl Hall. The height of their success is little more than name dropping, going to nightclubs, and buying expensive toys. Personal relationships are almost non-existent. I always preferred the 70’s music than their 80’s pop stuff. The book is about as fluffy as the 80’s pop.

Tracklist
1.1 She's Gone 5:16
1.2 Las Vegas Turnaround 2:59
1.3 When The Morning Comes 3:13
1.4 Camellia 2:49
1.5 Sara Smile 3:09
1.6 Do What You Want, Be What You Are 4:35
1.7 Rich Girl 2:25
1.8 Back Together Again 3:27
1.9 It's A Laugh 3:46
1.10 I Don't Wanna Lose You 3:48
1.11 Wait For Me 4:03
1.12 How Does It Feel To Be Back 4:35
1.13 You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling
Lyrics By, Music By – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector
4:37
1.14 Kiss On My List 4:26
1.15 You Make My Dreams 3:10
1.16 Everytime You show more Go Away 5:24
1.17 Private Eyes
Co-producer – Neil Kernon
Lyrics By, Music By – Warren Pash
3:37
1.18 I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)
Co-producer – Neil Kernon
5:08
1.19 Did It In A Minute
Co-producer – Neil Kernon
3:37
1.20 Your Imagination
Co-producer – Neil Kernon

3:33
2.1 Maneater
Co-producer – Neil Kernon
4:32
2.2 One On One
Co-producer – Neil Kernon
4:17
2.3 Family Man
Co-producer – Neil Kernon
Lyrics By – Mike Frye, Mike Oldfield, Rick Fenn, Tim Cross
Music By – Maggie Reilly, Morris Pert
3:27
2.4 Say It Isn't So
Co-producer – Bob Clearmountain
4:17
2.5 Adult Education
Arranged By – Tom "T-Bone" Wolk*
Arranged By, Remix – Nile Rodgers
Remix, Producer – Bob Clearmountain
4:34
2.6 Out Of Touch
Producer – Bob Clearmountain
4:08
2.7 Method Of Modern Love
Producer – Bob Clearmountain
5:32
2.8 Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
Producer – Bob Clearmountain
5:25
2.9 Possession Obsession
Producer – Arthur Baker, Bob Clearmountain
Producer – Arthur Baker, Bob Clearmountain
4:07
2.10 Everything Your Heart Desires
Producer – Tom "T-Bone" Wolk*
5:01
2.11 Missed Opportunity
Producer – Tom "T-Bone" Wolk*
4:47
2.12 Downtown Life
Music By – Rick Iantosca
Producer – Tom "T-Bone" Wolk*
4:28
2.13 So Close
Lyrics By – George Green (4)
Producer, Performer [Additional Music] – Danny Kortchmar, Jon Bon Jovi
4:41
2.14 Don't Hold Back Your Love
Music By, Lyrics By – Gerald O'Brien, Richard Page
Producer, Music By, Lyrics By – David Tyson
5:14
2.15 Starting All Over Again
Music By, Lyrics By – Phillip Mitchell
Producer – Tom "T-Bone" Wolk*
4:08
2.16 Promise Ain't Enough
Music By, Lyrics By – Dwayne O'Brien, Porter Howell
Producer – Dave Bellochio*
5:47
2.17 Do It For Love
Music By, Lyrics By – Billy Mann, Paul Pesco
Producer – Sheppard & Kenny Gioia
3:58 show less