10 Songs Hall & Oates MUST Play Tonight at the Fillmore

Hall & Oates open the Fillmore with a sold-out show on Thursday. | Mat Hayward / Shutterstock.com

Who better to kick off Fishtown’s new Live Nation Music venue, the Fillmore, than Philly legends Daryl Hall and John Oates? To make it the best Philly experience possible, we’ve put together a suggested setlist for tonight’s show, curated by our editorial staff. Are you listening Mr’s Hall and Oates?

“Fall in Philadelphia” (1972)

City folk often know the love/hate relationship that comes with being an urban resident. Off their debut album, Whole Oats, this gem is not to be forgotten as Hall & Oates sing about Philly’s less sunny days.

“She’s Gone”(1973)

This song from 1973’s Abandoned Luncheonette is a classic example of the Philly soul Hall & Oates are known for. The bizarre music video was filmed by Oates’ sister, a film student at Temple. The Philly TV station where it was filmed refused to air the video because they thought it was a mockery.

“Sara Smile” (1976)

This soulful tune was penned for Daryl Hall’s girlfriend of more than 30 years, Sara Allen. The song became Hall & Oates’ first Top 10 hit in the U.S.

“Kiss On My List”(1981)

From their 1980 success Voices, “Kiss On My List” spent 23 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Daryl Hall later said that Eddie Van Halen told him that he lifted the synth from this song for his band’s famous song “Jump.”

“Private Eyes” (1981)

This song is from the multi-platinum 1981 album of the same name. Sara Allen, her sister Janna, and Warren Pash helped Hall write it, which he called “a real family song” in a later interview.

“I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” (1981)

Also from Private Eyes and arguably the best song of their career, “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” has an unforgettable and widely influential groove. Michael Jackson even admitted to borrowing from it for his song “Billie Jean.” John Oates told Philly.com last year that the song was actually written about the nature of the music business.

“Say It Isn’t So” (1983)

This song was recorded as one of the original tracks for Hall & Oates’ compilation album, Greatest Hits: Rock n’ Soul Part 1. An extended remix also made it onto Billboard’s dance chart.

“Out of Touch” (1984)

As the leading single from the 1984 record Big Bam Boom, this song was the duo’s last to top the Billboard Hot 100. Hall & Oates kicked off their performance for 1985 charity concert Live Aid in Philadelphia with this cross-chart hit.

“Method of Modern Love” (1985)

M-E-T-H-O-D-O-F-L-O-V-E! Their second single from Big Bam Boom, this track was another that crossed genre boundaries, even landing on the Hot Black Singles chart, now known as the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

“Philadelphia Freedom” (1991)

For a 1991 tribute album to Bernie Taupin and Elton John, Hall & Oates chose to cover John’s song “Philadelphia Freedom.” This nod to the City of Brotherly Love remains a reminder of their (and our) strong Philly pride–and would make one hell of an encore. (P.S. It would be great if they pulled a Taylor Swift and invited Sir Elton to the Fillmore stage to sing it with them. Just saying.)