For fans hoping to see Daryl Hall and John Oates back together, the answer is now clear: it’s not happening. In fact, according to Hall, any chance of a reunion has completely sunk.
“That ship has gone to the bottom of the ocean,” he told The Times. “I’ve had a lot of surprises in my life, disappointments, betrayals, so I’m kind of used to it.”
This definitive statement comes more than a year after Hall took legal action against Oates, filing a lawsuit and obtaining a temporary restraining order in November 2023. The dispute arose when Oates attempted to sell his share of the Hall & Oates catalog to Primary Wave Music, a move that Hall argued violated their business agreement.
A New Chapter for Hall
Instead of looking back, Hall has been focused on new creative partnerships. His latest album, D, released in 2024, was co-written and co-produced with Dave Stewart, who was best known for his work with Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics. Hall praised their collaboration, saying it offers something he didn’t have with Oates.
“It’s more meaningful, a real collaborative relationship — and it’s based on maturity,” he explained.
Over the years, Hall has worked with a wide range of musicians, constantly evolving his sound and keeping his passion for music alive.
Oates Has Also Moved On
On the other side, Oates seems to feel just as done with Hall & Oates as Hall does. In recent years, he has focused on working with artists like Vince Gill and Jerry Douglas, embracing new creative opportunities.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’ve moved on,” Oates told Rolling Stone in 2023. “I feel like I have a new lease on my creative life.”
While Hall & Oates made history with their incredible run of hits, both artists have made it clear that their partnership is officially in the past.