50 Daryl Hall & John Oates Songs You Better Have…Or Else
“Family Man”
(1983, #6 pop)
Writer: Mike Oldfield, Tim Cross, Rick Fenn, Mike Frye, Morris Pert, Maggie Reilly
Producer: Daryl Hall, John Oates
from the album H2O
“Tubular Bells” legend Mike Oldfield scored “Family Man” for his 1982 LP, Five Miles Out and summoned Scottish singer Maggie Reilly to the front for its snappy lead vocal work. The track made little noise, although it made some traction in Canada while rising to number 29. Hall & Oates dusted the track off for their H2O disc, using much of the distinguished prog rock elements. A few lyrical changes were made, particularly when the shy customer waits way too late to make a move on the streetwalker: “He waited much too long/But by the time he got his courage up, she was gone.” In the hands of H&O, Oldfield’s hit became a Top Ten hit and even made a dent on the R&B charts at number 81.
