David T. Farr More Content Now

It has been almost 16 years since Daryl Hall & John Oates had a hit single, with “Do It For Love.” The biggest-selling duo are back with a new track, “Philly Forget Me Not.” It’s currently at No. 13 on Billboard’s Hot Adult Contemporary chart.

“Philly Forget Me Not” is the 63rd single for the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. It’s also the first time the duo has paired with San Francisco rock band Train, one of the most successful bands to emerge in the past 20 years. Much of that success comes from the band’s frontman, Pat Monahan.

“Philly Forget Me Not” pays homage to Philadelphia, the city that started it all for blue-eyed soulster Hall.

“The song pretty much describes my feeling about Philly, my music home,” Hall said in a recent press statement.

It felt good to hear the new song on the radio. The horn-filled track is awesome. Having been a lifelong fan of Hall & Oates, it’s encouraging to know they still can be appreciated for their incredible talents. And, Train, no less. What a great band to join forces.

The collaboration spearheaded the duo’s summer tour plans. Hall & Oates with Train will play a 37-city arena tour which started in Salt Lake City and ends Aug. 8 in Seattle.

“It will be cool to play the new song on the upcoming tour with Train,” Oates said.

“Train couldn’t be more excited. Listening to them and playing alongside them on tour each night is going to be incredible,” Monahan said about the upcoming co-headlining tour. “It’s a lifelong dream.“

I couldn’t wait to get my tickets. I’ve long wanted to see them live. I’ll be in attendance at Van Andel Arena when Hall & Oates and Train roll into Grand Rapids July 15. It will be such a trip down memory lane. My buddy and I are going to have a great time.

The joint arena tour will allow each band to perform its own set, then collaborate for a finale. You can bet every night will feature a killer encore.

The 1980s would not have been the same without Hall & Oates and massive albums “Voices,” “Private Eyes,” “H2O” and one of my all-time faves, “Big Bam Boom.“

Train’s repertoire is nothing to knock. These guys have made some of the most memorable tracks of past two decades like the songs’ “Meet Virginia,” “Drops Of Jupiter,” “Calling All Angels,” “Something More,” “Cab,” “Ordinary,” “Marry Me,” “Drive By,” “50 Ways To Say Goodbye,” “Play That Song,” and the massive international smash “Hey, Soul Sister.”
— David T. Farr can be reached at farrboy@hotmail.com. You also can find The Farr Side on Facebook.