Possession Obsession

Album: Big Bam Boom (1984)
Charted: 30
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Songfacts®:

  • This song was yet another hit for the popular duo, but it's a departure from their typical sound. For one thing, it's fronted by John Oates, who usually let Daryl Hall take the lead on stage. The lyrics are a melding of romantic angst and pop psychology, indicating that possessiveness and jealousy in a romance are self-defeating. He sings of being obsessive-compulsive towards other people. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
  • This was written by Daryl Hall and John Oates, along with frequent collaborators Sara Allen (Hall's longtime girlfriend) and Janna Allen.
  • The music video was directed by Bob Giraldi, who also did Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and Pat Benatar's "Love Is A Battlefield." It stars John Oates as a cab driver in New York City. At one point, we see two men holding hands in the back of the cab, which is something rarely seen on TV at the time.

Comments: 1

  • It Could Also Mean.. from BronxIt could also mean it could be a story about Hall n Oats! It's almost as if everyone in the cab will have their own personality and hall n oats tell a story of them also liking each other in a mutual way (not assuming sexuality lol). Hall n oats will be Hall n oats and everyone in the cab will be so they are and they're obsess about it.
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