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

Written by Bruce Roberts & Andy Goldmark

Bruce Roberts is one of the most successful pop songwriters of the westcoast music scene. His songs were recorded by a who’s who of music stars like Barbra Streisand, Cher, Dolly Parton, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, Celine Dion and Donna Summer.
His songbook includes hits like “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough),” “Stronger Than Before,” “You’re Moving Out Today,” “Making Love” and “The Lucky One.” Roberts also kept going a parallel career as recording artist releasing a few well conceived solo abums. Those records obviously presented the author’s take on several of his important songs plus gems that he kept for himself. In 1980, two years after his self titled debut, Roberts prepared his sophomore record entitled “Cool Fool.” Vocally, the performances aren’t up to the standards of his famous clients, but Roberts’ delivery is intense and sincere while the music background is always top notch. The singer/songwriter usually enlisted the best players and arrangers on the scene like David Foster who appeared on all Roberts’ solo albums. The two went on to co-write songs together and Foster will produce music for Roberts’ “Intimacy” album. On “Cool Fool” Foster played keyboards on the refined disco number entitled “S’ Good Enuf.” That’s a fantastic party song with incredible vocal harmonies courtesy of Luther Vandross, David Lasley and Arnold McCuller plus mean strings and horns arranged by Gene Page and Jerry Hey. This song was released as a single but missed the charts though it’d have be a giant hit if covered by a more household name. “S’ Good Enuf” is clear evidence of how a well written song could do wonders with a disco sound in the hands of top music makers and it still sounds fresh today. “Cool Fool” also presented several of Roberts’ trademark ballads like “No Other Love,” “All Through The Night” and “With All My Love, With All My Heart.” Among the up-tempo songs on the record we’d like to mention the elegant title track, again with smooth vocals and tight horns.

Lead Vocals: Bruce Roberts
Guitars: Larry Byron
Keyboards: David Foster, Randy McCormick & Bruce Roberts
Drums: Ed Greene
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Horns: Jerry Hey, Gary Herbig, Larry Williams & Bill Reichenbach
Backing Vocals: Luther Vandross, David Lasley, Arnold McCuller, Stephanie Spruill & Bruce Roberts

Strings Arranged by Gene Page
Horns Arranged by Jerry Hey
Produced by David Malloy

No Lyrics