Guitarist/vocalist Brian O'Hara and best friend guitarist/vocalist Joey Bower (born Joseph Bower, 17 November 1939, Dingle, Liverpool, Lancashire) formed the Two Jays in 1957. The group changed its name to the Four Jays in September 1959 when bass guitarist/singer Billy Hatton and drummer Brian Redman (born 21 June 1941, Huyton, Liverpool, Lancashire) joined the group. The Four Jays played at the Cavern Club on 1 March 1961, nearly three weeks before the Beatles. Rhythm guitarist/singer Mike Millward (ex-the Undertakers) joined the Four Jays in November 1961, followed by drummer/singer Dave Lovelady in September 1962. The band changed its name to the Fourmost in October 1962. On 30 June 1963, the group signed a management contract with Brian Epstein. This led to their being auditioned by George Martin and signed to EMI's Parlophone record label.
With Epstein as their manager, the Fourmost (like Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas, Peter and Gordon and Tommy Quickly) had access to early Lennon–McCartney compositions. The Fourmost's first two singles were written by John Lennon. "Hello Little Girl", one of the earliest Lennon songs (written in 1957) was released on 30 August 1963 and reached No. 9 in the UK. Their follow-up single, "I'm in Love" (Lennon–McCartney), was released on 15 November 1963 and reached No. 17 in the UK. It was also notable as one of the earliest Beatles-penned songs to be released in the United States but, as with the Fourmost's other singles, it failed to chart there.
Their biggest hit followed. "A Little Loving", written by Russ Alquist, reached Number 6 in the UK Singles Chart in mid 1964. From then on, none of the group's singles cracked the Top 20 in the UK. "How Can I Tell Her", was followed by a cover version of the Four Tops' "Baby I Need Your Loving", sung by Millward, while Hatton took lead vocal on "Everything in the Garden", and "Girls Girls Girls" (originally recorded by the Coasters and a hit for Elvis Presley). Brian O'Hara composed most of their original songs, which were used as 'b' sides including 'Waitin For You', 'That's Only What They Say', 'He Could Never', and 'You Got That Way'.
On the group's only sixties album, First and Fourmost, from September 1965, they covered Jackie DeShannon's "Till You Say You'll Be Mine". Other tracks included "My Block" sung by Hatton and written by Jimmy Radcliffe, Carl Spencer and Bert Berns (originally a hit for the Chiffons in 1963), Millward sang a re-make of "The In Crowd" which featured the brass section from Sounds Incorporated, and Hatton sang two cover versions of Little Richard's "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Heebie-Jeebies". The band appeared in the 1965 film, Ferry Cross the Mersey and on the soundtrack album of the same name singing 'I Love You Too' (which appeared in two totally differing versions mono to stereo).
In early 1966 the band were rocked by the sudden death of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Mike Millward, a featured lead vocalist. They recruited George Peckham as replacement. In August 1966, the Fourmost covered another Beatles' song, "Here, There and Everywhere", followed by a cover of George Formby's "Auntie Maggie's Remedy" in November 1966. The latter song was representative of a comedic element to some of the group's recordings. George Peckham wrote and sang The country-influenced "Turn the Lights Down Low" (the b-side of "Auntie Maggie's Remedy"), a short-lived effort to branch out to less pop-oriented fare.
In 1968, now on the CBS record label, they recorded "Apples, Peaches And Pumpkin Pie", an R&B hit by Jay & the Techniques, followed by "Rosetta" (suggested by Paul McCartney, who played piano on it), and "Easy Squeezy". The group soon stopped recording, and became popular on the cabaret circuit. George Peckham left the band in 1969 to run a recording studio. Original member Joey Bower returned to the band as replacement, a later private pressing album; The Fourmost - featured O'Hara, Hatton, Lovelady and Bower - which included covers such as "Without You", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Rag Doll" and "Save The Last Dance For Me" was sold at their shows in 1975. Hatton, Lovelady and Bower all left in 1980 while O'Hara continued the group with new members, although a version of the band featuring O'Hara and older members Hatton and Lovelady did once perform at the new Cavern Club. O'Hara eventually dropped out selling the band's name. A later line up featuring longtime later member bassist/singer Bill Haisman (who had been in the later group alongside Brian O'Hara) plus John Richards (lead guitar, vocals), Gary Pearson (guitar, vocals) and Kevin Clarkson (drums, vocals) released a DVD and CD titled, The Fourmost Live at The Club Tropicana, featuring recording of a show recorded in Skegness on 7 April 2007. They performed both "Hello Little Girl" and "A Little Loving" among other covers of 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s hit songs. Bill Haisman later retired. A touring version of the band continued led by drummer/vocalist Kevin Clarkson, with Alex Leyland (rhythm guitar, vocals), Colin Walsh (lead guitar, vocals) and Lee Clarkson (bass guitar, vocals).
Charley Records later issued a 20 track compilation album also titled First and Fourmost, while EMI Records later released a CD stereo/mono version of the original 1965 album in 1999. In 2005, they also released a 33 track CD compilation The Best of The Fourmost, which included the stereo version of "I Love You Too", and four previously unreleased songs with booklet notes written by Billy Hatton.
Mike Millward died from leukaemia in 1966. Brian O'Hara took his own life in 1999. Billy Hatton died in 2017.
Original band members
Brian O'Hara, born 12 March 1941, Dingle, Liverpool, died 27 June 1999, Wavertree, Liverpool (suicide), vocalist/lead guitarist, from June 1962
Mike Millward, born Michael Millward, 9 May 1942, Bromborough, Cheshire, died 7 March 1966, at Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Cheshire, rhythm guitarist/vocalist, from June 1962
Billy Hatton, born William Hatton, 9 June 1941, Dingle, Liverpool,, bassist/vocalist died 19 September 2017, Liverpool
Dave Lovelady, born David Lovelady, 16 October 1942, Litherland, Liverpool, drummer/vocalist, from September 1962
Discography
Singles
Year Single Chart positions
UK[6] AU US
1963 "Hello Little Girl" 9 - -
"I'm In Love" 17 - -
1964 "A Little Loving" 6 98 -
"If You Cry" (US Only) - - -
"How Can I Tell Her" 33 - -
"Baby I Need Your Loving" 24 63 -
1965 "Everything in the Garden" - - -
"Girls Girls Girls" 33 21 -
1966 "Here, There and Everywhere" - - -
"Auntie Maggie's Remedy" - 43 -
1968 "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie" - - -
"Rosetta" - - -
1969 "Easy Squeezy" - - -
A Little Loving
The Fourmost Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goes a long, long, long, long way
A little loving, a little loving
Goes a long, long, long, long way
I catch a train tonight about eight
And I'll be gone for many a day
So give me something to remember
I'm gonna miss you after I'm gone
I'm gonna wish you asked me to stay
So won't you give me one more kiss
Dear, a little loving goes a long way
A little loving, a little loving
Goes a long, long, long, long way
A little loving, a little loving
Goes a long, long, long, long way
I don't know where I heard it before
I only know it's true they say
So give me what something to remember
A little loving goes a long way
A little loving, a little loving
Goes a long, long, long, long way
A little loving, a little loving
Goes a long, long, long, long way
I don't know where I heard it before
I only know it's true they say
So give me what something to remember
A little loving goes a long way
So give me something to remember
Little loving, a little loving
A yeah, a little loving
Goes it on long way!
The Fourmost's song "A Little Loving" is a simple yet heartfelt ode to the power of love in both keeping someone close and remembering them when they're gone. The song's simple lyrics hit on the idea that even a small amount of affection can leave a lasting impression on someone, especially during times of separation or distance. The singer is leaving on a train and asking his lover to give him something to remember, something that will make the time apart more bearable.
The repetition of the phrase "a little loving goes a long way" emphasizes just how important these little gestures of affection can be in the grand scheme of a relationship. The singer knows that he's going to miss his lover after he's gone, and it's clear that he wants to feel like he's taking a piece of their love with him on his journey. The song's gentle melody and catchy chorus create a sense of intimacy and tenderness, making it a classic love song that stands the test of time.
Overall, "A Little Loving" is a poignant reminder of the power of love and the importance of cherishing those small moments of affection that can make all the difference in a relationship. The song highlights the importance of remembering and valuing one another, even during times of separation or distance.
Line by Line Meaning
A little loving, a little loving
A small amount of love or affection
Goes a long, long, long, long way
Has a great impact and can make a significant difference
I catch a train tonight about eight
I am leaving soon and won't be back for a while
And I'll be gone for many a day
I'll be away for a long time
So give me something to remember
Give me a reason to think of you and remember you while I'm away
A little loving goes a long way
Even a small amount of love can have a big impact
I'm gonna miss you after I'm gone
I will feel your absence while I'm away
I'm gonna wish you asked me to stay
I will regret leaving and wish you had asked me to stay
So won't you give me one more kiss
Please give me a final kiss before I go
Dear, a little loving goes a long way
My love for you is strong, even if I don't express it often
I don't know where I heard it before
I can't remember where I heard this, but it's true
I only know it's true they say
I have heard from others that this is true
So give me what something to remember
Please give me a special memory to hold onto
Little loving, a little loving
A small amount of love, affection or attention
A yeah, a little loving
Yes, even a little bit of love can make a big difference
Goes it on long way!
It has a lasting impact and can endure even when we are apart
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RUSSELL ALQUIST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind