Hall & Oates – Method of Modern Love
A smooth-spelling, synth-laced ode to love’s new playbook
By late 1984, Daryl Hall & John Oates had already mastered the art of the radio hit. Their blend of blue-eyed soul, pop rock, and R&B had dominated the charts for nearly a decade. But with “Method of Modern Love,” from their platinum-selling album Big Bam Boom, they showed they weren’t just riding the wave—they were recalibrating its rhythm.
Released as the album’s second single on 12 October 1984, the song spelled out more than just its title—it laid out a new approach to love, one letter at a time.
Sound: crisp beats and contemporary cool
Co-produced by Hall, Oates, and mixing maestro Bob Clearmountain, “Method of Modern Love” is all sharp edges and clean polish. It opens with precise electronic drums, then unfolds into a groove built around a funky synth bassline and rich, layered keyboards. The sound is slick but never sterile—balancing pop accessibility with atmospheric depth.
While Arthur Baker didn’t produce the studio version, his fingerprints are on the 12″ remix, pushing the song’s dance-floor credentials even further.
Vocals: Hall’s soul and Oates’ signature blend
Daryl Hall takes the lead with effortless soul, gliding through each verse with charismatic restraint. His voice carries both swagger and sincerity—a velvet delivery that feels modern but timeless. John Oates, meanwhile, brings crucial balance with textured harmonies and backing vocals that wrap around Hall’s leads like an old friend who knows exactly when to speak.
Together, they sound like two halves of a single musical instinct, spelling out the “M-E-T-H-O-D-O-F-L-O-V-E” with rhythmic bounce and vocal chemistry.
Lyrics: decoding love, letter by letter
Written by Daryl Hall and lyricist Janna Allen, the song reflects on romance in an age of distance, technology, and emotional formality. There’s cleverness to the structure—the chorus literally spells out the title, like love is something you learn in class or crack like a cipher.
“I can call you / Got your number / Share my life with you a thousand miles away…” There’s longing, yes—but also calculation. The method may be modern, but the emotion is vintage.
Video: rooftops, dreamscapes, and a glowing guitar
Directed by Jeff Stein, the music video kicks off in a surreal rooftop world where Hall & Oates are discovered through a skylight. A glowing V-shaped guitar is hurled into their apartment, prompting a dreamy adventure that ends with Hall falling from the roof and dancing across clouds beside the moon. It’s weird, whimsical, and very mid-’80s—equal parts MTV charm and soft-focus fantasy.
Chart climb: spelling success across genres
“Method of Modern Love” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1985, lingering for 19 weeks. It also cracked the Top 10 in Canada (No. 7), made a modest showing in the UK (No. 21), and hit the charts in Germany (No. 45). On U.S. genre charts, it landed at No. 18 on Adult Contemporary, No. 15 on Dance Club Songs, and No. 21 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs—a testament to its cross-format appeal.
Legacy: soul, synths, and cultural echoes
Beyond its initial success, “Method of Modern Love” found longevity in the least expected places. It was sampled by Wu-Tang Clan for “Method Man,” giving it rap credibility, and parodied by Weird Al Yankovic in “Hooked on Polkas,” adding a cheeky stamp of cultural permanence.
Decades later, it’s still celebrated for its experimental production, introspective lyrics, and vocal sophistication. Hall & Oates didn’t just spell it out—they rewrote the formula.