Say It Isn't So (Hall & Oates song)

"Say It Isn't So" is a song performed by American duo Daryl Hall & John Oates, and written by Daryl Hall. It was released by RCA Records in October 1983 as the first of two new singles from their compilation album Rock 'n Soul Part 1, released that same year (see 1983 in music). The song was remixed as a "special extended dance mix" by John "Jellybean" Benitez, which topped Billboard magazine's Hot Dance Club Play chart.[2] The song managed to peak at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, coincidentally behind "Say Say Say" by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson.

"Say It Isn't So"
Single by Daryl Hall & John Oates
from the album Rock 'n Soul Part 1
B-side"Kiss on My List"
ReleasedOctober 1983 (1983-10)
RecordedSeptember 1983 at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, New York[1]
GenrePop rock, blue-eyed soul
Length4:17 (album version)
3:56 (7" version)
6:45 (special extended dance mix)
5:15 (video version)
LabelRCA Records
Songwriter(s)Daryl Hall
Producer(s)Daryl Hall, John Oates, Bob Clearmountain[1]
Daryl Hall & John Oates singles chronology
"Jingle Bell Rock"
(1983)		 "Say It Isn't So"
(1983)		 "Adult Education"
(1984)
Music video
"Say It Isn't So" on YouTube

Composition and recording

"Say It Isn't So" was written by Daryl Hall during the duo's supporting tour for H2O. It was the first of two new songs recorded during the sessions for Rock 'n Soul Part 1. The sessions took place in September 1983 at Electric Lady Studio A in New York City. The song was produced by Daryl Hall and John Oates, with recording by Bob Clearmountain, who co-produced the recordings. The backing musicians on the song were bassist Tom "T-Bone" Wolk, saxophonist Charles DeChant, guitarist G. E. Smith, drummer Mickey Curry, and percussionist Jimmy Bralower. The song's arrangement was developed in the studio with backing vocals inspired by the Flamingos' version of "I Only Have Eyes for You" and a problem with a break in the song solved by Jimmy Bralower.[1]

Music videos

There were two versions of the video. The first version was once aired on MTV as part of the duo's special titled The Greatest & The Latest. The second version, which was on heavy rotation during the channel's heyday, was filmed on location in New York City.

Chart performance

Single track listings

7" 45 RPM
Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Say It Isn't So"Daryl Hall3:56
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Kiss on My List"Hall, Janna Allen3:48

12" 33⅓ RPM
Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Say It Isn't So" (Special Extended Dance Mix)Hall6:45
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Say It Isn't So" (Dub version)Hall4:47
2."Kiss on My List"Hall, Allen4:24

See also

References
  1. Wolk, Tom "T-Bone" (2006) [1983]. "The Rock 'n Soul Part 1 Sessions". Rock 'n Soul Part 1 (CD liner). Daryl Hall & John Oates. RCA Records/Legacy Recordings. 82876753972.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 116. ISBN 978-0-89820-156-7.
  3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4382." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  5. "Daryl Hall & John Oates: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  6. "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  7. "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  8. "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  9. "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  10. "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  11. http://wweb.uta.edu/faculty/gghunt/charts/halloates.html
  12. "Talent Almanac 1985: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 96 no. 51. December 22, 1984. p. TA-19.
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