My Personal Cover Selection: “Kiss On My List” (Hall & Oates) — 80s Pop Magic Meets Supreme Soul Groove!

Introduction: The Door to the Story

In 1980, the pleasant sound of the electric piano flowed from radios all over the world. Daryl Hall & John Oates’ “Kiss On My List” still shines unfadingly as a monumental work of blue-eyed soul.

The HSCC cover introduced this time is a splendid take in which highly skilled Australian craftsmen poured “raw heat” and “superb groove” into the original song’s refined popness. How did the calculated 80s studio magic transform into a flesh-and-blood live ensemble? Let’s ride this pleasant wave of sound together.

　Lyrics: Super Summary

Friends want to know the reason why I'm so crazy about you.
But I can't explain it - it's just that your kiss is special.
On the list of the best things in life, you are at the very top.
Because you're the one I miss the most the moment I turn off the lights at night.

First, please take a look at the official YouTube video.

✅ Official Video Credits
"Kiss On My List" (Hall & Oates)
Cover performance: The Hindley Street Country Club (HSCC)
Featuring: Jordan Lennon
Produced by: The HSCC
Arranged by: Constantine Delo
Recorded live at: The House Of SAP
Mixed/Mastered by: Pete Sayad (NYC)
2-Line Commentary
An official session video recreating Hall & Oates' 1981 US No. 1 hit in a live format by the popular Australian cover project HSCC. A high-quality cover finished with a modern studio live sound while preserving the AOR/blue-eyed soul feel of the original song.

It’s a superb session where smiles and grooves intersect, which can be said to be the true essence of HSCC. All the members express the joy of making sound with their whole bodies, making you naturally sway just by watching.

Original Song Video: A Perfect Sample Book of 80s Pop

Daryl Hall’s sweet and soulful singing voice and the pop arrangement that symbolizes the era. It is an official video truly worthy of being called a “classic,” clad in the atmosphere unique to the 80s.

Background of the Song ── “Blue-Eyed Soul” that Colored the Era

Identity of the Original Song: The Dawn of the 80s and Refinement

The early 1980s was a transitional period when synthesizers and drum machines began to be introduced into pop music in earnest. Hall & Oates perfectly fused the R&B feeling influenced by Philadelphia Soul with catchy pop, securing a US Number One with this song. Urban and refined, yet somewhat human. That was the greatest charm of their music.

Instead of saying “I love you” straight out, they act a little cynical by saying “because your kiss is on my list.” This exquisite balance of “hiding one’s embarrassment,” riding on a light melody, is completed as an irresistibly attractive love song.

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Deep Dive: “Reconstruction of the Soul” by HSCC

The Shock of the Intro: A Vivid Transformation from Synth to Live Instruments

The intro of the original song is impressive with its electric piano and tight, drum machine-like beat. HSCC brilliantly reconstructs this inorganic and refined introduction with the rich resonance of live instruments. The moment the sparkling touch of the keyboard intertwines with the guitar cutting, the R&B roots originally possessed by this song vividly emerge.

The Beating of the Rhythm: Bouncing Bass and Tight Drums

HSCC’s rhythm section does a superb job this time as well.

Without spoiling the lightness of the original song, the bass moves around more funkily, and the drums give a pleasant drive to the whole song with the crispness of the snare. This “bouncing groove” is probably the biggest reason why the HSCC version sounds more “physical” than the original.

Dialogue of Singing Voices: The Intersection of Sweetness and Soulful Passion

The expressive power of the vocals cannot be overlooked. Daryl Hall’s singing voice is characterized as “silky and sweet,” but HSCC’s vocals add “soulful heat” to it. While maintaining the nuanced “hidden embarrassment” of the lyrics, the way of singing that seems to release emotion toward the chorus is full of the impact unique to a live band.

The Wonder of the Ensemble: The Blissful Space Woven by Chorus Work

And what is noteworthy is the thick chorus work layered over and over in the chorus, “(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list.” HSCC reproduces the multi-recording magic of the original song with harmonies using the raw voices of all members. This wall of voices, which even brings gospel to mind, brings an overwhelming sense of elation to the song.

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Respect for the Original Song, and a Bridge to the Present

The Form of Respect: Turning Pop into a “Superb Live Anthem”

HSCC brilliantly transformed the perfect pop song created by Hall & Oates by gathering the best of studio work into “music played by flesh-and-blood humans on stage.” While paying deep respect to the wonderful melody and chorus structure of the original song, they never let it become just BGM. You can feel their spirit in this.

What HSCC Protects: The “Resonance Between People” Created by Live Performances

Precisely because we live in an era where programmed beats have become mainstream, the “groove with a swing” played by HSCC sounds very fresh to our ears. Members make eye contact and play the signature phrases in perfect breath. I believe that the “joy of people resonating through sound” found there is exactly what they are trying to protect and convey through their covers.

Conclusion: In the Afterglow

Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life.
(Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life)

What a stylish, slightly cheesy, and heartwarming phrase.

HSCC’s “Kiss On My List” awakened the heat of the soul hidden in this immortal love song and brought us the best smiles. After listening to their performance, I’m sure the name of this band will be newly added to your “list of the best things in life.”

Now, I wonder what masterpiece will be cast with magic by their hands next.

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From the Blog Author

Thank you for reading to the end.

In the HSCC cover special feature on my blog “Ken’s Music Eternity and Solitude”, I brought you a masterpiece of 80s pop this time. Which did you find more attractive, the refined arrangement of the original song or the raw groove of HSCC? Please let me know your thoughts.