Sara Smile

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"Sara Smile"
Sara smile by daryl hall and john oates US single side-A.png
Side A of the US single
Single by Daryl Hall & John Oates
from the album Daryl Hall & John Oates
B-side "Soldering"
Released1975
Recorded1975
Genre
Length3:07
Label RCA Victor
Songwriter(s) Daryl Hall, John Oates
Producer(s) Chris Bond, Daryl Hall, John Oates
Daryl Hall & John Oates singles chronology
"Alone Too Long"
(1975)
"Sara Smile"
(1975)
"She's Gone"
(1976)

"Sara Smile" is a song written and recorded by the American musical duo Hall & Oates. It was released as the third single from their album Daryl Hall & John Oates . The song was the group's first top 40 and first top ten hit in the US, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

Contents

Release and chart performance

"Sara Smile" first appeared in August 1975 as the second cut on the RCA Records album Daryl Hall & John Oates . The song was performed by Hall & Oates during their September–November 1975 tour in support of the album, with a reviewer noting that listeners who liked "She's Gone" would also like the softer ballad "Sara Smile". [4] In late 1975, "Sara Smile" was prepared as a 45 rpm 7-inch single release – the third single from the album. It first entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on January 31, 1976, at number 91. [5]

Cowritten by both halves of the duo, "Sara Smile" turned out to be Hall & Oates' breakthrough single, [6] reaching a number 4 peak on the Hot 100 at the end of June 1976. [7] [8] It was written about Hall's then-girlfriend, stewardess Sara Allen. [9] The couple were together for almost 30 years before breaking up in 2001. [10]

The song also peaked at No. 23 on the Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 18 on the Easy Listening chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 11 best-selling song of 1976. On the R&R Airplay chart, the song debuted at No. 38 on April 2, 1976, and peaked at No. 7 seven weeks later. [11] The single earned a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [12]

The album Daryl Hall & John Oates was moving slowly on Billboard's chart until "Sara Smile" started becoming a hit. [13] The album picked up momentum to hit number 17 on the Billboard 200, peaking simultaneously with "Sara Smile" on June 25, 1976. [14]

Critical reception

Record World said that "Daryl and John leave no question as to their ability to come up with another 'She's Gone.'" [15] Nathan Brackett and Christian Hoard, in the Rolling Stone album guide, referred to the song as a "love bead ballad," [16] and Steve Pond of the Los Angeles Times cited it as an example of the duo's R&B influences. [2]

Legacy

Following the success of "Sara Smile," the Atlantic Records label re-released the duo's previous single, "She's Gone", which had missed the Top 40 chart during 1973–74. In its re-release it rose to number 7 in late October 1976. [17]

Charts

Jimmy Wayne version

"Sara Smile"
Jimmysara.jpg
Single by Jimmy Wayne with Daryl Hall and John Oates
from the album Sara Smile
ReleasedOctober 3, 2009
Genre Country
Length3:46
Label Valory Music Group
Songwriter(s) Daryl Hall, John Oates
Producer(s) Dann Huff
Jimmy Waynesingles chronology
"I'll Be That"
(2009)
"Sara Smile"
(2009)
"Just Knowing You Love Me"
(2010)

Country music singer Jimmy Wayne released a cover version in 2009, with backing vocals from Hall & Oates. This version debuted at #51 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated October 3, 2009 and serves as the title track for Wayne's third album, Sara Smile . It became Hall & Oates' first single to chart on the country charts.

Critical reception

Sam Gazdziak of Engine 145 gave the song a thumbs-down, saying that it was "almost reverential" to the original and that Wayne's vocals showed R&B influences, but added that it "has no business being played on a country radio station." [27] Bobby Peacock of Roughstock gave a more positive review, also saying that it was well-sung but not country-sounding, but adding that it was a "refreshing change of pace" from the "bombast of Do You Believe Me Now ", Wayne's last album. [28] Thom Jurek described the cover favorably in his review of the album, saying that Wayne "basically apes Hall's lead vocal[…]note for note" but "pulls it off in spades." [29]

Chart performance

Jimmy Wayne's version of "Sara Smile" debuted at number 51 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in September 2009. After seven weeks on the country chart, the song peaked at 31 in December 2009.

Chart (2009)Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [30] 31

Other notable cover versions

R&B group After 7 released a cover version for their greatest hits album The Very Best of After 7 (1997). The version peaked at number 31 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts, [31] number 99 in Australia, [32] and number 130 in the UK. [33]

British female singer-songwriter Rumer released a cover version on July 30, 2012 as the second single from her second studio album Boys Don't Cry (2012). The song peaked at number 47 on the Belgian Ultratip Bubbling Under (Flanders) chart. [34] Rumer and Daryl Hall perform the song together on Live From Daryl's House. A music video of Rumer's version was made and then released to the public.

Ghetto Smile

The chorus of "Sara Smile" was reworked in 1996 by Northern California rapper B-Legit into the song "Ghetto Smile", collaborating with Hall who recorded new vocals. [35]

The song was produced by Redwine and B-Legit and features guitars by Thaddeus Turner. The song was released in 1996 on B-Legit's second album, The Hemp Museum .

The song was later used in the 1997 film Dangerous Ground and was released as a single and a music video to promote the film's soundtrack. The music video features the clean version of the song and has B-Legit rapping and Hall and guitarist Turner performing on a separate set interspersed with scenes from the film.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hall & Oates</span> American pop rock duo

Daryl Hall and John Oates, commonly known as Hall & Oates, were an American rock duo formed in Philadelphia in 1970. Daryl Hall was generally the lead vocalist; John Oates primarily played the electric guitar and provided backing vocals. The two wrote most of the songs they performed, either separately or in collaboration. They achieved their greatest fame from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s with a fusion of rock and roll, soul music, and rhythm and blues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daryl Hall</span> American musician and lead vocalist of Hall & Oates (born 1946)

Daryl Franklin Hohl, known professionally as Daryl Hall, is an American rock, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known as the co-founder and principal lead vocalist of Hall & Oates, with guitarist and songwriter John Oates. Outside of his work in Hall & Oates, he has also released five solo albums, including the 1980 progressive rock collaboration with guitarist Robert Fripp titled Sacred Songs and the 1986 album Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine, which provided his best selling single, "Dreamtime", that peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. He has also collaborated on numerous works by other artists, such as Fripp's 1979 release Exposure, and Dusty Springfield's 1995 album A Very Fine Love, which produced a UK Top 40 hit with "Wherever Would I Be". Since late 2007, he has hosted the streaming television series Live from Daryl's House, in which he performs alongside other artists, doing a mix of songs from each's catalog. The show has been rebroadcast on a number of cable and satellite channels as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adult Education (song)</span> 1984 single by Hall & Oates

"Adult Education" is a song by American duo Daryl Hall & John Oates, released as a single in February 1984. The song was featured on the duo's second compilation album Rock 'n Soul Part 1 and was one of two new tracks that were recorded specifically for the compilation release. The single hit number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way You Do the Things You Do</span> 1964 single by The Temptations

"The Way You Do the Things You Do" is a 1964 hit single by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, the single was the Temptations' first charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking in the Top 20 at number eleven; it also went to number one on the Cash Box R&B chart. The song has been an American Top 40 hit in four successive decades, from the 1960s to the 1990s. A version by Hall & Oates featuring Temptation members Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1986. A cover version by British reggae band UB40 hit number six in the U.S. in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss on My List</span> 1981 single by Hall & Oates

"Kiss on My List" is a song by American duo Hall & Oates. It was written by Daryl Hall and Janna Allen, and produced by Hall and John Oates. It was the third single release from their ninth studio album, Voices (1980), and became their second US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single. It spent three weeks at the top spot.

"Everytime You Go Away" is a song written and composed by Daryl Hall. It was first recorded in 1980 by the American duo Hall & Oates but was not released as a single. A cover version of the song by Paul Young became an international hit in 1985, reaching No. 1 in the US and No. 4 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maneater (Hall & Oates song)</span> 1982 single by Daryl Hall & John Oates

"Maneater" is a song by American duo Hall & Oates, featured on their eleventh studio album, H2O (1982). It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on December 18, 1982. It remained in the top spot for four weeks, longer than any of the duo's five other number-one hits, including "Kiss on My List", which remained in the top spot for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of Touch</span> 1984 single by Daryl Hall & John Oates

"Out of Touch" is a song by American duo Daryl Hall & John Oates from their twelfth studio album Big Bam Boom (1984). The song was released as the lead single from Big Bam Boom on Thursday, October 4, 1984, by RCA Records. This song was their last Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, topping the chart for two weeks in December 1984. It also became the duo's fourteenth consecutive top 40 hit since 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)</span> 1981 single by Daryl Hall & John Oates

"I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" is a song by American duo Hall & Oates. Written by Daryl Hall, John Oates and Sara Allen, the song was released as the second single from their tenth studio album, Private Eyes (1981). The song became the fourth number one hit single of their career on the Billboard Hot 100. It features Charles DeChant on saxophone.

<i>Private Eyes</i> (Hall & Oates album) 1981 studio album by Hall & Oates

Private Eyes is the tenth studio album by American pop rock duo Hall & Oates, released on September 1, 1981, by RCA Records. The album includes two number-one singles—the title track and "I Can't Go for That ", as well as the top-10 single "Did It in a Minute". "I Can't Go for That " also spent a week at the top of the R&B chart.

<i>Rock n Soul Part 1</i> 1983 greatest hits album by Hall & Oates

Rock 'n Soul Part 1 is a greatest hits album by American musical duo Hall & Oates, credited as "Daryl Hall John Oates" on the album cover. Released by RCA Records on October 18, 1983, the album featured mostly hit singles recorded by the duo and released by RCA, along with one single from the duo's period with Atlantic Records and two previously unreleased songs recorded earlier in the year: "Say It Isn't So" and "Adult Education".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich Girl (Hall & Oates song)</span> 1977 single by Hall & Oates

"Rich Girl" is a song by Daryl Hall & John Oates. It debuted on the Billboard Top 40 on February 5, 1977, at number 38 and on March 26, 1977, it became their first of six number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The single originally appeared on the 1976 album Bigger Than Both of Us. At the end of 1977, Billboard ranked it as the 23rd biggest hit of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say It Isn't So (Hall & Oates song)</span> 1983 single by Hall & Oates

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Private Eyes (song)</span> 1981 single by Hall & Oates

"Private Eyes" is a 1981 single by American duo Daryl Hall & John Oates and the title track from their album of the same name. The song was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks, from November 7 through November 20, 1981. This single was the band's third of six number one hits, and their second number one hit of the 1980s. It was succeeded in the number one position by Olivia Newton-John's "Physical," which was coincidentally succeeded by another single from Hall & Oates, "I Can't Go for That ".

<i>The Hemp Museum</i> (album) 1996 studio album by B-Legit

The Hemp Museum is the second solo studio album by American rapper B-Legit. It was released on November 26, 1996 through Sick Wid It/Jive Records. Production was handled by Studio Ton, Mike Mosley, Kevin Gardner, Redwine, Femi Ojetunde, Emgee, Tone Capone and B-Legit himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from C-Bo, Levitti, Celly Cel, Daryl Hall, E-40, Kurupt, A-1 and Funk Mobb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Method of Modern Love</span> 1984 single by Daryl Hall & John Oates

"Method of Modern Love" is a song by the American duo Daryl Hall & John Oates. It was released as the second single from their 1984 album, Big Bam Boom. The song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's Gone (Hall & Oates song)</span> 1973 single by Hall & Oates

"She's Gone" is a song written and originally performed by the American duo Daryl Hall and John Oates. The soul ballad is included on their 1973 album, Abandoned Luncheonette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything Your Heart Desires</span> 1988 single by Hall & Oates

"Everything Your Heart Desires" is a song by American duo Hall & Oates, released as the lead single from their thirteenth studio album, Ooh Yeah! (1988). The song peaked at number three in the United States. It was their sixteenth and last Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 song. The 45 version was later included on their greatest hits album Playlist: The Very Best of (2008) while the video mix was included on VH1 Behind the Music: The Daryl Hall and John Oates Collection (2002) and on the box set Do What You Want, Be What You Are: The Music of Daryl Hall & John Oates (2009).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Close (Hall & Oates song)</span> 1990 single by Hall & Oates

"So Close" is a 1990 song by American pop duo Hall & Oates. It was written by Daryl Hall and George Green, and produced by Danny Kortchmar and Jon Bon Jovi. The song was released as the lead single from the Change of Season album and peaked at number 11 in the United States and number four in Canada. An acoustic version of the song also appears on the album and as a B-side of the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Did It in a Minute</span> 1982 single by Hall & Oates

"Did It in a Minute" is a song performed by American duo Hall & Oates. Written by Daryl Hall with Sara and Janna Allen, the song was released as the third of four singles from the duo's tenth studio album Private Eyes in March 1982. Daryl Hall performs lead vocals, while John Oates provides backing harmony vocals.

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