Hall & Oates

Released: September 10, 1985

Songwriter: John Oates Daryl Hall Sara Allen

Producer: Bob Clearmountain Daryl Hall John Oates

[Spoken Word Intro]
Alright. We're gonna do a song right now from the Big Bam Boom album. It's our latest single. It's a song called "Possession Obsession"

Need you to breathe now
What ya gonna do when you get it?

You know there's something you need
Right here and now
To fill the space inside of yourself
Oh, with money, love or power

When you want to have
The number one, first-run anyone
You're crazy 'til you own them

You ought to know
Better than that, girl
The more that you buy
The less you get back

You could say
It's a case of
Possession obsession
Just a taste of
Possession obsession
Brings of a case of possession
I hear you say gimme gimme
Now gimme gimme gimme
Gimme gimme gimme gimme

The compulsion to count
The percentage of time
Spent between two lovers
Can turn an hour into a crime
Oh, all the good times suffer

Though you know it's only jealousy
But you can't help but be
Haunted by your passion

Now, don't you know
It's a matter of fact
The more that you take
The less you give back

I can say
It's a case of
Possession obsession
Just a taste of
Possession obsession
Brings of a case of possession
I hear you say gimme gimme
Now gimme gimme gimme
Gimme gimme possession

Ooh, gimme gimme gimme
Gimme gimme gimme

Ooh, it's a case of
Possession obsession
Just a taste of
Possession obsession
Brings of a case of possession
I hear you say possession

Now, don't you know
It's a matter of fact
The more that you take
(Gimme some)
The less you give back

Hall & Oates released the first of their 18 albums in 1972 on Atlantic Records. They would go on to sell 13 million albums and 6 million singles primarily during the 70’s and 80’s when they recorded their most prolific and profound music. They blended rock, jazz, soul, and pop create a genre they titled rock and soul.

While their technical musicianship, innovative songwriting styles, and popular live performances were praised, they also had a fruitful partnership with their manager Tommy Mottola, who was helped Hall & Oates break into music videos before they were popular and made profitable financial deals by helping them get on the ground level of and corporate sponsorship of tours. Hall & Oates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

more tracks from the album

Live at the Apollo

From the album

Live at the Apollo (1985)

Hall & Oates popular songs

Possession Obsession (Live at the Apollo Theater, Harlem, NY - May 1985)Hall & Oates

Hall & Oates

Live at the Apollo