70s Pop Rock Legend Reveals Signature Song He 'Has' to Play

John Oates says he's never done a show without performing the Hall & Oates hit "She's Gone".

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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In a recent interview, 77-year-old musician John Oates, formerly of the iconic 1970s pop rock duo Hall & Oates, revealed that he always includes the song "She's Gone" in his solo concert setlists. Oates said the song, which he co-wrote with Daryl Hall in 1973, has remained a must-play track throughout his career, both with Hall and on his own. The song, inspired by a brief romance Oates had, helped launch the Hall & Oates duo to stardom and continues to resonate with fans decades later.

Why it matters

"She's Gone" is considered one of Hall & Oates' signature songs and a cornerstone of their catalog. The track's enduring popularity and Oates' commitment to performing it at every show underscores the song's significance in the duo's legacy and Oates' own musical identity. This insight into Oates' concert setlists provides a window into how legacy artists maintain connections with their most beloved works.

The details

Oates explained that he wrote "She's Gone" in the early 1970s after a brief romance with a woman he met at a diner in New York City's Greenwich Village. He started writing the song when the woman failed to show up for a planned New Year's Eve date. Oates then collaborated with Hall, who was also going through a breakup at the time, to finish the song in under an hour. Oates credits "She's Gone" with launching the Hall & Oates duo to stardom, and decades later, he still receives standing ovations when performing the track.

  • The song "She's Gone" was written in early 1973.
  • "She's Gone" appeared on Hall & Oates' 1973 album Abandoned Luncheonette.
  • The song was released as a single in November 1973.
  • A re-release of "She's Gone" in 1976 peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The players

John Oates

One half of the iconic 1970s pop rock duo Hall & Oates, who is now performing solo and continues to include the Hall & Oates hit "She's Gone" in his setlists.

Daryl Hall

The other half of the Hall & Oates duo, who collaborated with Oates to finish writing the song "She's Gone" in the early 1970s.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think I've ever played a show, whether with Daryl or solo, where I haven't played 'She's Gone.' I feel like I have to play that song, but I love having to have to play that song if you know what I mean.”

— John Oates (The New York Post)

“Without this song, we might not have had a career. Making money and chart positions are not that important to me. It's great, a great thing, it's fabulous and all that, but really, what's really important to me is to have written something that has stood the test of time.”

— John Oates (Grantland)

The takeaway

John Oates' unwavering commitment to performing the Hall & Oates classic "She's Gone" at every show, both with his former partner Daryl Hall and as a solo artist, underscores the song's enduring significance in the duo's musical legacy and Oates' own artistic identity. The track's ability to still captivate audiences decades later is a testament to its timeless songwriting and the special connection it has forged with fans.