Photo by David McClister
Today, John Oates, one-half of the renowned pop-rock duo Hall & Oates, is elated to unveil his reimagined version of the hit song “Maneater” as the reggae tune he had envisioned since the early 1980s.
Oates initially conceived the idea for a reggae-style chorus hook after a trip to Jamaica and, during an appearance on the critically acclaimed Questlove podcast last year, shared his story, prompting an influx of messages from listeners expressing their desire to hear that rendition. Overwhelmed by the response, Oates enlisted the help of his producer friend, Native Wayne Jobson, who orchestrated a recording session in Kingston, Jamaica, assembling a stellar lineup of legendary reggae musicians – the outcome is a remarkable remake of a timeless classic.
Oates approached the reggae version of “Maneater” as if he were a new artist, distancing himself from his association with Hall & Oates. He aimed to reimagine the song in a way that would breathe new life into it and harmonize with the vibrant energy of the studio musicians he found himself surrounded by.
“I needed to be tested and I needed to be challenged. I needed to take my musicianship to another level. These guys showed me that there was a level of musicianship and professionalism in Nashville that I hadn’t really been aware of,” Oates told Relix. “When I jumped into it, my name would get me in the door, but in order to stay at the party I had to be able to deliver. So I began to practice and I began to re-explore the roots of the music that made me who I was before I met Daryl Hall and we started doing whatever it was that we achieved.”
The impressive credits for the track include producer Native Wayne Jobson, Sly Dunbar on drums, Chinna Smith on guitar, Chris Meredith on bass, Robbie Lyn on keyboards, Rome Ramirez on backing vocals, Jim Hoke on saxophone and Emmanuel Echem on trumpet.
The reggae version of “Maneater” marks the fifth release in Oates’s recent series of standalone singles, joining his renditions of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World,” Timmy Thomas’s “Why Can’t We Live Together,” and his original tracks “Disconnected” and “Pushin’ A Rock.”
To support his new music, Oates will be embarking on a tour throughout the year, bringing his captivating sound to audiences throughout the U.S. including Ann Arbor, Mich., Nashville, Tenn., Newport, R.I. and more through mid-September.
Listen to “Maneater” below.
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