from I DON’T WANNA LOSE YOU/AUGUST DAY (single)
written by Daryl Hall & John Oates
December 1978 saw the release of “I Don’t Wanna Lose You,” the second single from Daryl Hall & John Oates’ album “Along The Red Ledge.” Produced by David Foster, “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” is an elegant mid-tempo, pop/soul song that was clearly inspired by the classic Philadelphia Sound and Philly Soul.
That music style was created in the Seventies by gifted producers/arrangers like Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Thom Bell and Dexter Wansel. They infused jazzy, refined arrangements enriched by lush strings and horns to their smooth soul/funk material. Among the most important names of this genre include Teddy Pendergrass, The O’Jays, The Stylistics and Billy Paul. Hall & Oates’ “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” had all the key elements of that kind of sound with its breezy, ear-candy melody, refined atmosphere and catchy refrain. On this number, Hall reaffirms himself as one of the best pop/soul singers of the modern era with a top notch vocal performance. The stellar instrumental back-up, arranged by Hall & Oates with Foster, was made even more special with Gene Page’s fantastic strings arrangement. Foster’s production shows the first seeds of his genius and the final result is an absolute joy to hear. “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” reached #42 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and was also a minor hit at #49 on the Adult Contemporary chart. “August Day,” a magnificent, rarefied ballad also from “Along The Red Ledge,” was the single’s b-side. You can read our review of “August Day” here.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/i_-don_t_wanna_lose_you.mp3|titles=I Don’t Wanna lose You|artists=Daryl Hall]
Lead Vocals: Daryl Hall
Guitars: Caleb Quaye & John Oates
Keyboards: David Foster & Daryl Hall
Drums: Roger Pope
Bass: Kenny Passarelli
Saxophone: Charlie De Chant
Backing Vocals: Daryl Hall & John Oates
Arranged by Daryl Hall, John Oates & David Foster
Strings Arranged by Gene Page
Produced by David Foster
Lyrics
You and I have separate lives girl
You and I go different ways on roads that cross
When love and loss is ruled by fate
People have a tragic habit
Of letting love get in the way
They tend to lose their overviews and overplay
Something I wanna say
Something I’ve got to do
Feels like you’re drifting away
And I don’t wanna lose you
I’ll try to find a way to encourage you
It’s easy to convince myself
Cause I can’t believe you’d wanna be with somebody else
People have a tragic habit
Of letting love get in the way
They tend to lose their overviews and overplay
Something I wanna say
Something I’ve got to do
Feels like you’re drifting away
And I don’t wanna lose you