Gerry Marsden (1942-2021) formed Gerry & The Pacemakers in the late 1950s with his brother, Fred Marsden (died 2006), Les Chadwick (1943-2019) and Arthur Mack. They rivalled The Beatles early in their career, playing in the same areas of Hamburg, Germany, and Liverpool, England, and being from Liverpool, managed by Brian Epstein, and recorded by George Martin. Mack was replaced on piano by Les Maguire ()born 1941) around 1961. They are known to have rehearsed at Camell Laird shipping yard at Birkenhead.
They began recording in early 1963 with "How Do You Do It?", a Mitch Murray written song that both Adam Faith and The Beatles had turned down (in the latter case because they wanted to record their own material, specifically "Please Please Me"). The song became a number one hit, until being replaced at the top by The Beatles' third single, "From Me to You".
Gerry & the Pacemakers next two singles, Murray's "I Like It" and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone", both also reached number one in the UK Singles Chart. Never before had the first three singles by a performer all reached the top spot (the feat would not be duplicated until Frankie Goes to Hollywood did it in the 1980s).
Despite this early success, Gerry & the Pacemakers never had another number one single in the U.S. Gerry Marsden began writing most of their own songs, including "It's All Right", "I'm the One", and "Ferry Cross the Mersey", as well as their first and biggest U.S. hit, "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying". All of these represented the band's light, poppy, enjoyable sound. They also starred in a moderately successful early 1965 film called Ferry Cross the Mersey, for which Marsden wrote much of the soundtrack.
By later in 1965, though, their popularity was rapidly declining on both sides of the Atlantic. They lacked the innovation of the Beatles and did not have the rawer musical and visual edge of some of the other British Invasion groups, and they soon seemed un-hip. They disbanded in October 1966 with much of their latter recorded material never released in the UK.
Gerry Marsden became a popular cabaret and children's TV entertainer. He reformed the band in 1972 with prominent Liverpool musicians Jose McLaughlin, Billy Kinsley and Pete Clarke. In April 1973, this second version of the group became the only Merseybeat band to ever record for the John Peel Show on BBC Radio. The tracks from that show have now been included on the album Gerry & the Pacemakers Live at the BBC, released on Parlophone Records in October 2018. Subsequently, Marsden occasionally toured with various line-ups of the band on the oldies circuit. Gerry Marsden announced his retirement on 29 November 2018.
The band is probably best remembered for their version of "You'll Never Walk Alone," which has become the anthem for Liverpool Football Club in England. Liverpool's fans sing the song before every match at Anfield, their home stadium.
Walk Hand In Hand
Gerry & The Pacemakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through all eternity
Have faith, believe in me
Give me your hand
Love is a symphony
Of perfect harmony
When lovers such as we
Walk hand in hand
Lift your head up high & look towards the sky
(X2):
Walk hand in hand with me
This is our destiny
No greater love could be
Give me your hand, walk with me
The lyrics to Gerry & The Pacemakers' song "Walk Hand in Hand" are a plea to a loved one to stay by their side through thick and thin. The song opens with the singer inviting their partner to join them on an eternal journey, with the promise of love, faith, and happiness. The song goes on to describe love as a symphony of perfect harmony, suggesting that the two lovers are meant to be together. As such, the singer urges their partner not to be afraid, for they will always be by their side, encouraging their partner to lift their head up high and look towards the sky for guidance.
The final verse of the song reinforces the idea that the two lovers are destined to be together, saying that there is no greater love than theirs. The singer once again asks their partner to take their hand and walk with them, implying that their journey is only just beginning. Overall, "Walk Hand in Hand" is a romantic and sentimental song that encourages listeners to have faith in the power of love and the importance of unity in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk hand in hand with me
Please walk with me, let's be together
Through all eternity
For all time, forever
Have faith, believe in me
Trust me, I won't let you down
Give me your hand
Let me hold your hand, let's be close
Love is a symphony
Love is like a beautiful piece of music
Of perfect harmony
It has to be perfectly in sync, just like harmony in music
When lovers such as we
When two people deeply in love like us
Walk hand in hand
Hold each other's hand and experience the love
Be not afraid, for I am with you all the while
Don't worry, I'll always be here for you
Lift your head up high & look towards the sky
Be confident and positive, look to the future
Walk hand in hand with me
Let's walk together and create our own path
This is our destiny
It's fated that we're together
No greater love could be
There's no love that can match ours
Give me your hand, walk with me
Let's stay together and be happy
Writer(s): Cowell
Contributed by Savannah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@maryrawson4324
RIP Gerry, walk hand in hand with God to your eternal rest. xx
@sunryse111
So very sad. I had the pleasure of meeting him and shaking his hand in his dressing room after a show. (He was sitting in the dark with a glass of wine).
@markwflint7383
Unbelievable talent today's so called singers take note this was real talent not like today's rubbish. This mans songs will live forever.
@ajc_notofthisworld
Two years ago today, proposed to my beautiful wife before God. She said yes. Today, we are as committed and in love as ever. Thank You, Lord. 💖🙌🙏
@sunryse111
That's a beautiful comment, Adam! Thank you.
@kathymccoy563
This was my wedding song .. 1985.. lost my Bill 2019... He just turned 64 and passed away a week later...
@angelachurch9929
💜🕊💜
@bobchisholm9477
How sad no age at all
@gd542t2
May his soul rest in peace
@karenwilliams8285
A Favourite of Gerry Marsden and The Pacemakers- How I Love his voice, such pure emotion,, and that gorgeous Liverpool accent- This is such a Beautiful vocal, my favourite and the Best recording on this classic! He's singing in heaven now💖amongst the angels🙏