In honor of John Oates’ 74th birthday, today’s Song of the Day is “Kiss On My List” by Hall & Oates. The song was written by Daryl Hall and Janna Allen, and produced by Hall and John Oates. It was the third single release from their ninth studio album, Voices. It was their 2nd US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single (after “Rich Girl” in 1977), which makes this song the duo’s first #1 hit of the ’80s.

The co-writer, Janna Allen was the sister of Daryl Hall’s long-term girlfriend Sara Allen. She also co-wrote “Private Eyes,” which was a chart-topper later in the year for Hall & Oates, and also their Top 10 singles “Did It in a Minute” and “Method of Modern Love.” Janna Allen died of leukemia at the age of 36 in 1993. She passed away at Daryl and Sara’s home in Millbrook, New York.

This song is often misinterpreted as a “love” song. In fact, it is an anit-love song Daryl Hall has stated that the song is tongue-in-cheek sarcasm in that the kiss is not that important, in that it is on a list of other things that are just as important. [Is there anybody else that is today-years-old when they found that out?]

The music video was the 207th that aired on MTV’s first day of broadcast.