Hall & Oates

Released: October 19, 1974

Songwriter: John Oates

Producer: Todd Rundgren

He's the star of the stage, and he screams all night
'Cause he can't get to sleep at all
And his favorite book, by the T.V. light, can't stop the matinee
He's played it over and over
He Can't Stop The Music, or remember the ending to his song
He played it much too long

All those hard-earned words, that he's fought from his pen
Have been forgotten in some empty hall
And the wide-eyed looks, on those wiped-out faces
Make some dreams in such places over and over
He Can't Stop The Music, or remember the ending to his song
He played it much too long

Wouldn't believe your ears, if he told you what the papers use to say
But that was in his hey-day
Back in his prime he had the fans in line
You should have seen him then, now look at him
His hair is getting thin
There's one last show before the glory ends
There in the wings, waits his only friend
The record that he prayed to over and over
He Can't Stop The Music, or remember the ending to his song
He played it much too long

Then we go like this, and we go like that (music)
Then we go like this, and we go like that
Can't Stop The Music
Then we go like this, and we go like that (music)
Then we go like this and we go like that

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

The Atlantic Collection

From the albums

Hall & Oates popular songs

Can’t Stop The Music (He Played It Much Too Long)Hall & Oates

Hall & Oates

The Atlantic Collection