In February 2023, John Oates took the stage for a performance despite being embroiled in a legal dispute with his former bandmate. Nevertheless, he remains committed to spreading positivity and supporting a charitable cause with his latest song, “Get Your Smile On.”
John Oates
Oates revealed that he composed the uplifting track during the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by a quest for any positive vibes. Initially started on GarageBand, the song evolved into a full-fledged production, with Oates personally playing all instruments, programming keyboards, and providing vocals. Despite being his first release from a pure GarageBand production, Oates expressed satisfaction with the outcome, hoping it brings joy to listeners.
All proceeds from “Get Your Smile On” will be directed towards Teen Cancer America, an organization founded by Roger Daltrey of The Who. The accompanying video features children either battling or surviving cancer, participants in the Teen Cancer America music program.
Roger Daltrey commended Oates for his support, stating, “John is a fantastic supporter of our charity and has given his time and talent to helping the young people with cancer that we serve.” Daltrey expressed gratitude for Oates featuring these individuals in the video and contributing the single’s proceeds to the cause.
This release marks Oates’ seventh stand-alone single of the year, joining others such as “Disconnected,” featuring a Taylor Swift-inspired video, a reggae rendition of the Hall and Oates classic “Maneater,” and a cover of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Oates, also revealed as the Anteater on Season 10 of The Masked Singer, continues to maintain a busy schedule despite his ongoing legal dispute with Daryl Hall.
In November, Hall filed a lawsuit against Oates, obtaining a temporary restraining order to prevent Oates from selling his half of their business venture to Primary Wave. The legal battle centers around Hall’s claim of an “indisputable breach of contract,” prompting the restraining order to block the contested sale.
