Daryl Hall has openly addressed the ongoing feud with his former Hall and Oates bandmate, John Oates, and revealed why a reunion between the iconic duo is highly unlikely. In a recent interview, Hall stated, “That ship has gone to the bottom of the ocean.” He expressed his frustration and disappointment over the years, sharing that he has become accustomed to betrayals in his life. One of the main points of contention for Hall was the lack of recognition for his extensive songwriting contributions to the band’s success.
“The songs with his lead vocal are the songs he wrote, and all the other ones, which is about 90 percent, are the ones I wrote,” Hall mentioned, noting that this aspect of their partnership often went unnoticed. Oates, on the other hand, provided insight into their songwriting process, stating, “The songwriting collaboration was that there were no rules. We’d write a song separately, we’d write a song partially, we’d operate almost as editors of each other, or have a true collaboration, and everything in between.” He acknowledged Hall’s exceptional vocal abilities, which became the signature sound of the duo.
Feud leads to unlikely reunion
The professional relationship between Hall and Oates also faced strain due to business disputes. In November 2023, Hall filed a lawsuit against Oates to prevent him from selling his share of a joint business venture to a third party, arguing that it would breach their previous agreement and cause “imminent irreparable harm.”
Oates reflected on the evolution of their partnership over the decades, explaining that their business differences became more pronounced as their partnership agreement, established 50 years ago, had become outdated.
“When it was time to reevaluate how to modernize and make that partnership function better, there was really no way to compromise,” he said. Despite the challenges, Oates expressed pride in their musical legacy, emphasizing that their songs continue to resonate with fans worldwide. “Those songs will remain as the soundtrack for people’s lives.
The songs don’t go away,” he affirmed. “I’m proud of everything we’ve done.”
Hall and Oates last performed together in 2022, and according to Oates, there are no plans for future collaborations.