Medley met his singing partner Bobby Hatfield while attending California State University, Long Beach. The pair began singing as a duo in 1962. Their first single was "Little Latin Lupe Lu"; their first hit was "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", produced by Phil Spector in 1964. Follow-up hits included "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" and "Unchained Melody".
The duo broke up in 1968, but returned with another hit in 1974, "Rock And Roll Heaven", and they continued to appear together until Hatfield's death in November 2003. The Righteous Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2003 by one of their biggest fans, Billy Joel.
Medley also had a moderately successful solo career. In 1987 his duet with Jennifer Warnes, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", was included on the Dirty Dancing motion picture soundtrack album and the single reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also won a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother
Bill Medley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where.
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
-
He ain't heavy
He's my brother.
So one we go
His welfare is my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there.
For I know he would not encumber me
-
He ain't heavy
He's my brother.
If I'm laden at all I'm just laden with sadness
That's everyone's heart isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another.
It's a long
Long road from which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share?
Yes
And the load
The load does not weigh me down
Down at all
-
He ain't heavy
He's my brother.
He ain't heavy
He's my brother
He ain't heavy
He ain't heavy
He's my brother
The song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by Bill Medley is about the deep bond between brothers and the willingness to carry one another's burdens no matter how heavy, difficult, or long the journey may be. The first verse describes the uncertainty and unpredictability of life's journey, but the singer declares his own strength and resolve to carry his brother through the ups and downs of life. The chorus reinforces the theme of brotherhood, as the singer states that his brother is not a burden but rather someone he loves and cares for deeply.
The second verse addresses the idea of bearing burdens, but the singer argues that his brother is not a weight or hindrance to him. Instead, he willingly takes on his brother's concerns as his own and strives to help him. The bridge of the song acknowledges the sadness and pain that can be a part of life's journey, but it also highlights the importance of love and support from one another.
Overall, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is a tribute to the power of familial love and the strength that comes from standing by one another through thick and thin. The song's resonant lyrics have made it an enduring classic, beloved by fans for its simple but profound message about the importance of brotherhood.
Line by Line Meaning
The road is long with a many a winding turn
The journey of life is unpredictable and often challenging.
That leads us to who knows where
We don't know what the future holds, but we keep moving forward anyway.
Who knows where.
The uncertainty of the future is something we must accept and live with.
But I'm strong
Despite the challenges, I have the strength to carry on.
Strong enough to carry him
I am strong enough to support and help my brother when he needs me.
He ain't heavy
My brother is not a burden, but someone important to me.
He's my brother.
Family is important and worth helping and supporting.
So on we go
We continue on our journey together, despite the challenges ahead.
His welfare is my concern
I care about my brother's wellbeing, and want to help him in any way I can.
No burden is he to bear
My brother is not a burden, but someone I am willing to help carry through life's challenges.
We'll get there.
With help and support from each other, we will make it through whatever lies ahead.
For I know he would not encumber me
I know my brother would not intentionally hold me back or cause me harm.
If I'm laden at all I'm just laden with sadness
If I am weighed down, it is only by the sadness and struggles of life, not by helping my brother.
That's everyone's heart isn't filled with the gladness
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have love and happiness in their life.
Of love for one another.
Love and support for others can make the journey of life a little easier.
It's a long
Life is a long and challenging journey.
Long road from which there is no return
We cannot turn back time or undo the choices and actions of the past.
While we're on the way to there
As we continue on our journey, we must try to help and support each other.
Why not share?
Helping and supporting each other can make life's challenges more bearable.
Yes
Emphasizes the importance of helping and supporting others on life's journey.
And the load
The burden or struggles of life.
The load does not weigh me down
Helping and supporting my brother does not make my own struggles or burden heavier.
Down at all
Not at all.
He ain't heavy
My brother is not a burden or obstacle, but someone worth helping and supporting.
He's my brother.
My bond and connection with my brother is more important than any obstacles or challenges we may face in life.
He ain't heavy
Reiterates the idea that my brother is not a burden, but someone I am happy to help and support.
He ain't heavy
Once again emphasizes that my brother is not a burden, but a valuable part of my life.
He's my brother
Summarizes the central message of the song: the importance of family and helping each other through life's challenges.
Contributed by Bella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheOuttabody
It is NOT "blasphemy". It is the fact! It is the truth! Nobody, I mean "NO-body", can sing this song as perfect and flawless as Bill Medley (period)
Everyone else, singing this song, sings so dry and emotionless and puts me to sleep because they are not a true performer to have creativity and originality to have their own different interpretation. Every single singer becomes a "copycat" of the very first horrible version and sings with the same monotone, fainting, drowsy, boring tone like they are "whining", not singing...!!! Thanks to Giorgio Moroder, the music was re-composed with his rock-style interpretation, and Bill Medley is the only singer to perform flawlessly to deliver such excellence to keep up with Giorgio Moroder’s musical perfection. It is the divine masterpiece of "Giorgio Moroder", the legendary musician to bring such intensity toward the end with heavy droning guitars, heavily pounding drums, and the chorus as Bill Medley "roars", singing with such intense emotion, and such heart.
As Bill Medley sings the song, you truly "feel" he sings like he means it. And that is the true connection between him and the song, and between him and the audience. That is the true perfection and excellence! That is what being a true performer is all about. And also, it is like an intense showdown between Giorgio Moroder and Bill Medley. Both the musician, and the singer are perfect!
Also, Bill Medley doesn’t stick to the actual lyrics of the original song (that we all know of) toward the very end.
At 4:08, he sings, "Oh I know, the road gets long."
At 4:14, he sings, "I may be a little bit weary. I know I can carry him. He’s my brother…!!! He ain’t heavy, he ain’t heavy…!!!"
JReed1985
This is one of the best cover songs ever, I know this might sound blasphemous to many fans of the Hollies but I prefer Bill Medley's version better, it just sounds more emotional.
Marie Ross
@Shanel Lowe I love this word, soulful a d sultry. That is definitely Bill Medley !!
Ryan B
It's an awesome cover for sure!
Muhammad Faris
Nope..both are good. Just a different version.. During my young age im very love to hear the hollies song, but aftr rambo 3 use this song, i thought they just want to use singer with manly voice. Thats all.
Shanel Lowe
This man has a soultry sound he is one of the best. Love him
TheOuttabody
It is NOT "blasphemy". It is the fact! It is the truth! Nobody, I mean "NO-body", can sing this song as perfect and flawless as Bill Medley (period)
Everyone else, singing this song, sings so dry and emotionless and puts me to sleep because they are not a true performer to have creativity and originality to have their own different interpretation. Every single singer becomes a "copycat" of the very first horrible version and sings with the same monotone, fainting, drowsy, boring tone like they are "whining", not singing...!!! Thanks to Giorgio Moroder, the music was re-composed with his rock-style interpretation, and Bill Medley is the only singer to perform flawlessly to deliver such excellence to keep up with Giorgio Moroder’s musical perfection. It is the divine masterpiece of "Giorgio Moroder", the legendary musician to bring such intensity toward the end with heavy droning guitars, heavily pounding drums, and the chorus as Bill Medley "roars", singing with such intense emotion, and such heart.
As Bill Medley sings the song, you truly "feel" he sings like he means it. And that is the true connection between him and the song, and between him and the audience. That is the true perfection and excellence! That is what being a true performer is all about. And also, it is like an intense showdown between Giorgio Moroder and Bill Medley. Both the musician, and the singer are perfect!
Also, Bill Medley doesn’t stick to the actual lyrics of the original song (that we all know of) toward the very end.
At 4:08, he sings, "Oh I know, the road gets long."
At 4:14, he sings, "I may be a little bit weary. I know I can carry him. He’s my brother…!!! He ain’t heavy, he ain’t heavy…!!!"
Leslie Webster
Why isn’t this on Apple Music it’s one of the best versions I have heard
dawna berry
Great song by a great singer. Love you Bill.
Eunice Pereira
tempos maravilhosos que não voltam mais....saudades...
John Etheridge
Dedicated to the 4 military men who died in defense of our country and our freedom