Daryl Hall and John Oates created a catalog of “Rock ‘n Soul” hits that are essential for any wedding playlist. Known for their infectious hooks and smooth vocal harmonies, their music fits every wedding chapter—from the sophisticated atmosphere of cocktail hour to the high-energy peak of the reception.

Feel-Good Factor: Upbeat, rhythmic tracks that put guests in an immediate “celebration” mood.
Timeless Cool: Effortlessly bridges the gap between classic 70s soul and 80s pop.
Versatility: Perfectly transitions from romantic slow dances to “everyone-on-the-floor” sing-alongs.

Soulful Ceremonies & Cocktail Hour Grooves

The Elegant Entrance: “Sara Smile.” One of the most soulful ballads ever recorded. Its soft, romantic build makes it a stunning choice for a bridal processional or a private ceremony moment.
The Perfect “Meet & Greet”: “Say It Isn’t So.” A mid-tempo masterpiece with a smooth bassline that sets a sophisticated, “Yacht Rock” vibe for your cocktail hour.
Lush Prelude: “One On One.” With its intimate, late-night R&B feel, this track is ideal for setting a romantic mood as guests take their seats.
Acoustic Romance: “Everytime You Go Away.” While famously covered by Paul Young, the Hall & Oates original carries a raw, soulful energy perfect for a sentimental ceremony interlude.

Romantic First Dances & Mid-Tempo Slow Songs

The Dreamy Choice: “You Make My Dreams (Come True).” While often used as an upbeat exit, many couples choose a slowed-down acoustic cover for a first dance that is pure, infectious joy.
Smooth Devotion: “She’s Gone.” For the couple that loves deep soul, this track offers a classic 70s vibe that is great for a nostalgic and meaningful slow dance.
Intimate Connection: “Wait For Me.” A powerful ballad about commitment and staying power—perfect for a first dance that focuses on the journey of the relationship.
Modern Classic: “Method of Modern Love.” A rhythmic, stylish choice for couples who want a first dance that feels a bit more “New Wave” and unique.

High-Energy Reception & Party Starters

The “Must-Play” Anthem: “You Make My Dreams (Come True).” The ultimate wedding recessional or grand entrance song. It is impossible to hear this track and not smile.
The Floor Filler: “Maneater.” That iconic bassline is an instant signal for guests to hit the dance floor. It’s a high-energy staple for any 80s-themed dance set.
The Sing-Along: “Rich Girl.” A universal crowd-pleaser. Even guests who don’t know Hall & Oates know the chorus—perfect for a late-night reception “shout-along.”
Interactive Beat: “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do).” A legendary groove that bridges the gap between rock, pop, and R&B. It’s the perfect track to get a multi-generational crowd moving together.

DJ Expert Tips: Mixing the “Rock ‘n Soul”

The “Dreams” Entrance: If using “You Make My Dreams” for an entrance, have the DJ start the song at the 0:00 mark for that immediate, iconic piano riff. It creates instant “movie-moment” energy.
Perfect Pairings: Hall & Oates mix flawlessly with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, or The Doobie Brothers. Keep the “groove” consistent by matching the soulful backbeat.
Watch the Fade: Some 70s tracks have long, slow fades. As a pro, you’ll want to mix into the next beat while the harmony is still strong to keep the reception energy from dipping.

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Hall & Oates Highest Charting Billboard Hits

#1 “Rich Girl”, 1977
#1 “Kiss on My List”, 1981
#1 “Private Eyes”, 1981
#1 “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)”, 1981
#1 “Maneater”, 1982
#1 “Out of Touch”, 1984
#2 “Say It Isn’t So”, 1983
#3 “Everything Your Heart Desires”, 1988
#4 “Sara Smile”, 1976
#5 “You Make My Dreams”, 1981
#5 “Method of Modern Love”, 1985
#6 “Family Man”, 1983
#7 “She’s Gone” (re-release), 1976
#7 “One on One”, 1983
#8 “Adult Education”, 1984
#9 “Did It in a Minute”, 1982

Best of Hall & Oates Songs List

Abandoned Luncheonette

Then they were old, their lives wasted away
Month to month, year to year
They all run together
Time measured by the peeling of paint on the luncheonette wall

‘Abandoned Luncheonette’ is the title track of Hall & Oates’s second studio album. It was released in 1973 and features both lyrics and music written by Daryl Hall. It was the first album they recorded in New York but the diner of the album cover was actually the former Rosedale Diner in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

According to Hall, the song could have been called ‘Abandoned Lives.’ “It’s about people who gave up and wound up in the same place they started in, only not as good,” he told American Songwriter Magazine.

Adult Education

The student body got a bad reputation
What they need is adult education
Back to school, it’s a bad situation

Written by Daryl Hall, John Oates, and Sara Allen, ‘Adult Education’ was released as a single in 1984. It was one of two new songs that were recorded specifically for the compilation album ‘Rock ‘n Soul Part 1.’

The song tells the story of a teenage girl who is still in high school and is learning about the behavior of adults and that there is more to life than what she is currently experiencing. “The song is a reminder that there is life after high school. That there’s another way of looking at the world, and that another world is a false world and a meaningless world,” Hall told Songfacts.

Did It in a Minute

Everybody always laughs at love
But what they want is to be proven wrong
Then you came along
Oh, you did it, you did it

Released in 1982 from the 1981 album ‘Private Eyes,’ this song was written by Daryl Hall, Sara Allen, and Janna Allen. It broke the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was also included in the year-end chart.

The song tells the story of suddenly finding a deep and all-encompassing love and this makes it a great song for your wedding. Many married couples will be able to find a connection with the lyrics of the song, especially those that fall in love quickly and deeply. It’s a catchy song that is easy to dance to.

Everything Your Heart Desires

Can’t you see you have everything your heart desires?
So, why you want more?
If you have (if you have) everything your heart desires
Would you still want more?

Taken from the album ‘Ooh Yeah!,’ “Everything Your Heart Desires’ reached number 3 in the US charts and was Hall & Oates’s last song to hit the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10. It was released in 1988 and was written in its entirety by Daryl Hall.

Lyrically, the song is about a woman that outwardly has everything her heart desires but is always looking for more. It talks of a lover who wants someone new despite professing to be happy. “That is about people who are dissatisfied. It’s saying, Why are you dissatisfied? You know you have a really interesting world here,” Hall told Songfacts.

Despite the theme of the song, the mid-tempo beat and sound would make it a good cool-down song for towards the end of your wedding playlist.

Everytime You Go Away

Every time you go away
You take a piece of me with you
Every time you go away
You take a piece of me with you

This beautiful ballad was written by Daryl Hall but was never released as a single by them. The most well-known and popular version of the song is a cover version released by Paul Young, which reached number 1 on the US charts. It’s also been covered by other artists including Gloria Gaynor, George Benson, and Susan Wong.

The Hall & Oates version was included on the album ‘Voices’ and has been performed on tour by them, also. Although the Paul Young cover is more well-known, the Hall & Oates original is just as beautiful.

The lyrics speak of a troubled relationship and how every argument and separation destroys the narrator of the song. It’s a great song for slow dancing and tells a romantic tale of a couple that despite the arguments, still need each other.

Family Man

But he said (leave me alone)
I’m a family man
And my bark is much worse
Than my bite

This song serves as a stark contrast to ‘Everytime You Go Away.’ While that song was written by Hall & Oates and became a hit for someone else, ‘Family Man’ was written by someone else and became a hit for Hall & Oates.

Written by Mike Oldfield, Tim Cross, Rick Fenn, Mike Frye, Morris Pert, and Maggie Reilly, the song was originally released by Mike Oldfield in 1982. It was a minor success for Oldfield but a bigger success for Hall & Oates when they released it in 1983. The song tells the story of the titular family man turning down a prostitute because of his family.

I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)

Yeah, I, I’ll do anything
That you want me to
Yeah, I’ll do almost anything
That you want me to

I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)’ is one of Hall & Oates’ most well-known and popular songs. It was the fourth single of their career to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and also took the top spot on the R&B charts.

The title comes from a phrase Daryl Hall used when he was pressured to do something he didn’t want to. This idea is reflected in the lyrics of the narrator, who sings that they are willing to do many things but “can’t go for that.”

Although the song doesn’t have the most romantic lyrics, if you want a popular song for people to dance to at your wedding, this is a great choice.

Kiss On My List

(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life

This is the second of Hall & Oates’ singles to hit number one on the Billboard Top 100. It was written by Daryl Hall and Janna Allen and released in 1981 after featuring on the album, ‘Voices.’

The song was originally intended for Janna Allen to release as part of the singing career she was hoping to launch. However, Daryl Hall made a demo version of the song and when the manager of Hall & Oates heard it, he insisted that the duo release it themselves. It was the first song Allen ever wrote and started a long-time writing partnership with Hall & Oates.

This is another Hall & Oates song that is great for filling a dancefloor during a wedding reception. It has a catchy chorus line and outwardly loving lyrics.

Maneater

Oh, here she comes
Watch out boy she’ll chew you up
Oh, here she comes
She’s a man eater

Arguably, this is the most well-known song in Hall & Oates’s lengthy back catalog. It not only racked up another number one on the Billboard Hot 100 but remained there for four weeks, making it the longest-running number one of their career.

‘Maneater’ was written by Sara Allen, Daryl Hall, and John Oates and featured on the 1982 album ‘H20.’ Although the lyrics seem to tell the story of a seductive woman who likes to use men to satisfy her rich tastes, Oates has said this isn’t the true meaning of the song. Instead, the song personifies New York and the greed found in the city during the 1980s.

Although the lyrics of the song don’t seem suited to a wedding, it’s still a popular choice due to how well-known and liked it is. If you want an 80s soundtrack for your wedding, you have to include this song.

Method of Modern Love

I believe love will always be the same (Love)
The ways and means are the parts subject to change
M-E-T-H-O-D-O-F-L-O-V-E

Written by Daryl Hall and Janna Allen, ‘Method of Modern Love’ was featured on the album ‘Big Bam Boom’ and released in 1984.

The song is about how timeless love is and how it never changes, despite how the world has changed and the stresses and strains of the modern world. Even for those who have never heard ‘Method of Modern Love,’ the song may sound familiar as it was sampled from the song ‘Method Man’ by Wu-Tang Clan.

The theme of the song makes it a suitable wedding song and it’s best suited as a come-down song due to the laid-back vibe it has.

One on One

One on one I want to play that game tonight
One on one I know I want to play that
One on one I want to play that game tonight
One on one so slow

Released in 1983, ‘One on One’ was written by Daryl Hall and broke into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10.

The song uses the basketball term of playing one-on-one against an opponent as a metaphor for love and the lyrics are full of other sports-related terms. Hall said that the song was also an expression of traveling and his desire to stay at home. He told Mix magazine that it “expresses a theme I’ve explored in lots of my songs, the idea that I’ve been traveling all my life but my heart longs to stay in one place; being in one place, but wanting to be somewhere else.”

‘One on One’ is a mid-tempo, smooth song that would fit in nicely towards the end of a wedding playlist.

Out of Touch

You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around

This was the last of Hall & Oates’s six number-one singles. Released in 1984 the album ‘Big Bam Boom,’ was written by both Daryl Hall and John Oates.

The song is about staying in control and not losing your soul. The narrator sings about losing their mind when their love isn’t around to help. It’s an easy song to dance to and has a catchy chorus that your wedding guests are sure to love.

Possession Obsession

You could say
It’s a case of possession obsession
Just a taste of possession obsession
Ooh, brings of a case of possession

‘Possession Obsession’ was released in 1984 and written by Daryl Hall, Sara Allen, and John Oates. It’s a little unusual compared to other Hall & Oates songs as instead of being sung by Daryl Hall, it was instead sung by John Oates.

As the title suggests, the song is about possession and the jealousy and obsession that can come with it. It has a cool beat and the typical 80s synth sounds that make it easy to dance to.

Private Eyes

Private eyes
They’re watching you
They see your every move

‘Private Eyes’ is the title track of Hall & Oates’s tenth studio album. It was released in 1981 and became the duo’s third number-one on the Billboard Hot 100.

The lyrics of the song compare romance to being a spy or an undercover detective and get its name from the movie The Private Eyes. The movie was also about detectives and seeing a billboard advertising it inspired songwriter Warren Pash to present the idea to Janna Allen, who later suggested Hall & Oates.

Like several other Hall & Oates songs, ‘Private Eyes’ is sure to get your wedding guests on the dancefloor.

Rich Girl

You’re a rich girl, and you’ve gone too far
‘Cause you know it don’t matter anyway
You can rely on the old man’s money

‘Rich Girl’ was the first song by Hall & Oates to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also ranked 23rd on the Billboard Chart of the year for 1977. The song was written by Daryl Hall and included on their album ‘Bigger Than Both of Us’.

The song focuses on the titular rich girl who uses her parent’s money to buy whatever she wants. Although the lyrics focus on a spoiled girl, it was actually based on an ex-boyfriend of Hall’s longtime girlfriend and co-writer Sara Allen.

Sara Smile

I’ll come and hold you
It’s you and me forever
Sara, smile
Oh, won’t you smile awhile for me, Sara

Released in 1975, this was the first Hall & Oates song to break the top 10 on Billboard Hot 100. It was written by both Daryl Hall and John Oates and was written about Hall’s girlfriend at the time, Sara Allen.

Hall and Allen were together for nearly 30 years and the lyrics of the song are a sweet expression of love from a boyfriend to his girlfriend. Hall told Entertainment Weekly that the song “was a postcard to Sara Allen, who was my partner for many, many years, a ‘having a great time, wish you were here,’ kind of thing.”

The sweet sentiment makes this a great wedding song and is especially a must if someone named Sara is getting married!

Say It Isn’t So

I know your first reaction you slide away hide away goodbye
But if there’s a doubt maybe I can give out a thousand reasons why
You have to say it isn’t so

With music and lyrics written by Daryl Hall, ‘Say It Isn’t So’ was released in 1983 and was one of two new songs included on the compilation album ‘Rock ‘n Soul Part 1.’

The song was inspired by how the fame of Hall & Oates made them feel like they were alienated from the general public. It made them feel like outsiders. As Daryl explained to Songfacts, “You know, that line, “We like to be the strangers at the party, two rebels in a shell,” that had a lot to do with John and I’s relationship to the world.”

The 80s synth beat and Motown influence make this an easy song for wedding guests to dance to.

She’s Gone

I’d pay the devil to replace her
She’s gone, and she’s gone
Oh why, what went wrong?

This song was written by Daryl Hall and John Oates as they were commiserating over the breakdowns of their relationships. The song was originally released in 1973 before being re-released in 1976 and was originally included on the album ‘Abandoned Luncheonette.’

‘She’s Gone’ is a soulful ballad about lost love and has themes that are very universal to anyone who has both loved and lost. As John Oates told Sounds, the song has a “universal intimacy.”

You Make My Dreams

(The song is featured on our list of Wedding Recessional Songs)

You make my dreams come true
Oh, yeah (You, you, you, ooh-ooh-ooh, you)

Written by Hall, Oates, and regular songwriting partner Sara Allen, ‘You Make My Dreams’ was released as a single in 1981.

The song has a very distinctive and jaunty riff that runs throughout and a swing-style beat. This makes it an ideal song for dancing at any point during your wedding reception. Your guests are sure to enjoy dancing to this song, and it should be known by most of your guests.