When the Christmas season comes around each year, my thoughts not only turn to festive favorites from years past, but also several super-early ’80s hits that have zero to do with the holidays. Like Daryl Hall and John Oates‘ “Maneater.”

The song, a warning to steer clear of a certain female whose intentions aren’t pure, isn’t exactly full of good cheer. Even though it’s got a Motown beat, the whistling synth and the saxophone cast a wintry, desolate feel over this Hall & Oates’ production. Also, the bass part in “Maneater” is one of pop music’s best ever.

I’ll forever associate “Maneater” with this time of year because that’s when Hall & Oates climbed to the top of the charts with the single, the first from their 11th (!) album, H2O. On December 18, 1982, “Maneater” ruled at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, slaying all other comers for four weeks straight, giving the duo the biggest hit of their career.

Oh, oh, here she comes. Hide the mistletoe!

The following year, Hall & Oates did record proper Christmas tune, a cover of Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock.” Memorable for the campy holiday hoot of a music video, their “Jingle Bell Rock” still couldn’t jangle “Maneater” as the duo’s song that brings Christmastime most to mind for me.

Purchase Hall & Oates – “Maneater” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.