There is nothing special about my introduction to this week's tune, as it came when it was released as a single in 1975 when I was but a wee lad of sixteen. But, oh, the magic--you don't think about it much when you're that young, but fifty years later you realize what a special musical moment it was...
This will mark the third time I've written about Hall and Oates (first time and second time), which is somewhat surprising as I didn't care for much of what they released after about 1980. The only news to report is that they sued each other in 2024 over publishing rights, have said they will never perform together again, and settled the lawsuit out of court in 2025. Also, for some odd ass reason I've never posted their discography--for their career, Hall and Oates have released eighteen studio albums (three of which reached the top five), eleven live albums, thirty (!!) compilations, and sixty-three singles (with six #1's).
"Sara Smile" was the third single (kind of a massive fail by their record company that their signature tune was the third single released from the album) from their fourth album, the rather artfully entitled Daryl Hall & John Oates. The song would be the first hit of their career, peaking at #4, while the album reached #17.
Fun Fact: "Sara Smile" was written about Hall's real-life partner, Sara Allen. Sadly, the pair broke up in 2001 after nearly thirty years together.
As my regular readers (all three of you) know, I am a huge fan of blue-eyed soul, and to the best of my remembrance, "Sara Smile" was my introduction to the wonders of that genre. While the music champions a mellow groove, and the backing vocals saunter through your subconscious, it's Hall's vocals that carry the day. Alternating between his normal vocals and an urgent falsetto, he captures all the love and desire he feels for his lover. It's a master class in blue-eyed soul vocals, grasping the heart and the soul of the matter. Fifty-one years after its release, it sounds as fresh and vibrant as it did the year it graced our aural abilities. A wonderful song from a band learning its way in the musical world, and an everlasting imprint on the annals that are Friday Night Jukebox.
Lyric Sheet: "When you feel cold, I'll warm you/And when you feel you can't go on/I'll come and hold you/It's you and me forever..."
Enjoy:
Fuck Donald Trump
Peace,
emaycee
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