She's Gone (1976) 9/12/20

The year 1972 was tough on Daryl Hall & John Oates—at least romantically. Daryl was going through a divorce, and John had been stood up on New Year's Eve by a woman he was really into. As a duo, they poured their emotions into co-writing today's “Great Song of the '70s.”

“She's Gone” appeared on their album “Abandoned Luncheonette,” released by RCA in 1973. Unfortunately, the single was pretty much ignored by radio stations, only reaching #60 on the Hot 100.

And that was that...until it wasn't.

In 1974, the soul group Tavares covered the song, and it went to #1 on Billboard's Soul Chart!

Cut to 1976. Hall and Oates had moved to Atlantic Records and were having great success with another “Great Song of the '70s,” “Sara Smile,” which we may highlight in the near future.

At that point, RCA—in an effort to cash in on the duo's new-found success (and possibly realizing that Tavares had proven the song was a hit)—re-released the original version of “She's Gone.” THIS time, Pop and Rock radio stations took notice—and so did fans and record buyers. When everything was said and done, “She's Gone,” was a Top 10 hit in the US and Canada .

Here's the chart breakdown: Top 40: #7 in both countries. Adult Contemporary Chart: #6 in the US, #10 in Canada.

Sometimes all you need is a second chance (and maybe a nudge by Tavares) to score a “Great Song of the '70s.”

“She's Gone:” Hall & Oates:

Tavares: