John Oates Recorded New Version of Hall & Oates Hit ‘Maneater’ — but Has No Idea If Daryl Hall Likes It (Exclusive)

From the beginning, John Oates wanted “Maneater” to be reggae.

“I had just come back from Jamaica when I got the idea for the chorus and I wanted to write it as a reggae song because that was where I was, both musically and mentally,” Oates, 75, tells PEOPLE about the creative beginnings of Hall & Oates which would eventually reach number one on the Billboard 100 in December 1982.

“I was joking with that, so when [Hall & Oates bandmate] Daryl [Hall] and I got myself together, I played it for him, and he said, ‘This is a great hook, man.’ He just felt that it wouldn’t really fit in with what Hall & Oates were doing at the time. And he was right.”

John Oates.

Juan Patino

But earlier this year, some 40-plus years later, Oates’ reggae wishes came true when he traveled to Jamaica to work with Native producer Wayne Jobson and a group of legendary reggae musicians to record a reggae version of “Maneater.”

“I went to Kingston for three days and it was crazy,” Oates recalls of the shoot. “We went to this little, tiny studio in the middle of this little funky neighborhood, and we just played, and played, and I took it back to Nashville and finished it.”

And while fans have loved the new version of “Maneater” since its official release in May, Oates still isn’t sure what Hall thinks of it.

“No, I haven’t heard from him,” Oates tells PEOPLE. “I’m not even sure if he heard or not.”

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Granted, Oates doesn’t have much time to think about such things, as the native New Yorker recently returned to his home in Nashville after a three-week stint in his second home in Colorado.

“Honestly, Colorado is almost like going to a spa,” Oates says with a laugh. “I’m out all day. I’m on the tractor, working on the ranch, or hiking in the mountains or riding my bike. It’s really important to be healthy and stuff like that.”

John Oates.

David McLister

Of course, the atmosphere in Music City is much different.

“Being here in Nashville, I kind of started running,” says Oates, who has also been busy lately with original songs like “Too Late to Break Your Fall” and “Disconnected.” “It’s recording studios, it’s interviews, it’s shows — it’s more music business oriented for me. Tennessee has some great things to do, too, but it’s completely different.”

Oates is currently gearing up for a run of shows in September, which will kick off with a performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night.

“I love being able to stand on that same stage with country legends, obviously from a genre and style of music that I’m not necessarily associated with, but that I know and respect deeply,” says Oates, who will also perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum 6 September.

“Just the fact that I can go to the Ryman and stand on that historic stage and play different kinds of music… I mean, I don’t think a lot of classic rock artists get that opportunity. I’m very proud of it and I’m very aware that it’s a very unique thing that I’ve been able to carve out for myself.”

John Oates.

Michael Weintrob

He pauses for a moment.

“At this point in my career, this is what it’s all about. It’s all about these unique experiences and really celebrating the fact that I’ve had a 50-plus year career, and I have the opportunity to do these unique, amazing things.”

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Source: HIS Education