Only A Vision
Daryl Hall · Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine [1986]
I can't see you when I look at you
Only see you in my memory
When I find you it's just outside my sight line
Between experience and fantasy
Don't bear up to close inspection
Close inspection of the cold hard facts
Blow in and out of my life like a spirit
My eye can't see you but my mind reacts
Only a vision in the corner of my eye
Only a vision that I see out of the corner of my eye
Only a vision
Said you loved me
Heard that plain as day
I should lose this
Vision fade away
What's holding on to me
Just some state of mind
Feeling's coming on
One more time
Close inspection
I've checked this out again and again
And it won't respond to cold hard facts
Then you blow in and out of my life like a spirit
My mind knows better but my heart reacts
Only a vision in the corner of my eye
Only a vision that I see out of the corner of my eye
Only a vision girl
I wish that vision that I'm seeing was real
Only A Vision
Only A Vision stands as a standout track from Daryl Hall's 1986 solo album, Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine. Following the massive success of his partnership with John Oates, Hall embarked on a solo career that explored deeper, more introspective themes within the soft rock and pop genres. This recording captures Hall's signature falsetto and sophisticated songwriting, blending emotional vulnerability with polished production. The song reflects the artistic experimentation of the mid-1980s, showcasing Hall's ability to craft compelling narratives without relying on the immediate hooks of his earlier duets. As part of a discography that spans decades, this work highlights his enduring influence on American pop music and his capacity to deliver heartfelt performances that resonate with listeners seeking substance and melodic grace.