I Wasn't Born Yesterday
Daryl Hall · Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine [1986]
I forgot just how to feel
City scene ain't no big deal
Soul deep so ya say
None of that takes my breath away
Oh I always seem to see
Both sides when they disagree
And neither one seems right
Too much city life
Is messin' with my inner lite
And everybody's too cool to believe
I wasn't born yesterday
You should know by now
So let's set the record straight
And we can carry on
I wasn't born yesterday
I'll find out
I ain't innocent
Lots of room for me to doubt
I never learned to cry
So far so extreme
If I'm jaded, you're naive
But behind that cynic's steady gaze
There's a wide-eyed lover drink for days
Oh I don't want to be
One of those guys who only sees
The joke behind the lie
Too much city life
May I don't know wrong from right
But baby I ain't too cool to believe
I wasn't born yesterday
I don't die for love
Just let the record speak
Then I carry on
I wasn't born yesterday
I don't die for love
It's never too late to come of age
Never too late
Oh I wanna learn to cry
I Wasn't Born Yesterday
Daryl Hall's solo debut, Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine, arrived in 1986, marking a significant shift from his celebrated partnership with John Oates. I Wasn't Born Yesterday stands as a defining track from this era, showcasing Hall's ability to craft sophisticated pop-rock anthems outside the Hall & Oates framework. The recording features his signature falsetto and polished production, blending introspective songwriting with an upbeat, radio-friendly arrangement. As part of his initial solo discography, the song highlights his versatility and willingness to explore new sonic territories while maintaining the melodic sensibilities that defined his earlier work. This track remains a key song in understanding Hall's evolution as a standalone artist during the mid-1980s.