Frequent releases during the mid-60s included many cover versions of popular songs, as well as a few group-penned hits and many songs written especially for them by professional songwriters.
The Hollies were formed in 1962 in Lancashire, England. By 1965,the group had been established as one of Britain's pre-eminent singles bands. As part of the British Invasion, they enjoyed huge chart success in many countries in the mid-Sixties, releasing a string of classic harmony-pop hits including Bus Stop I'm Alive, a UK No. 1, I Can't Let Go, Stop Stop Stop, Carrie Anne, On A Carousel, Look Through Any Window, and Jennifer Eccles.
In 1972, the hit Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress reached #2 in the US. Their last mega hit was He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, hitting #1 in the UK in 1988 (albeit 19 years after its first release).
The band are noted for their longevity, with their 2006 tour chalking up 45 years. Despite numerous changes in line-up, Tony Hicks & Bobby Elliott have been with the band almost from its inception.
Lead singer Allan Clarke left The Hollies in 1971, though he rejoined the band at later times. He was eventually replaced by Carl Wayne, ex lead singer of The Move, who passed away in 2004. Wayne was replaced by Peter Howarth. The 2007 line up is, Ian Parker on keyboards, Ray Stiles (Ex Mud, remember 'Tiger Feet') on bass guitar and Alan Coates on guitar and vocals by Steve Lauri.
Original bass player Eric Haydock died in January 2018.
The Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2010.
Allan Clarke (vocals, 1962-71, 1973-99), Graham Nash (guitar, vocals, 1962-68, 1983), Eric Haydock (bass, 1962-66), Vick Farrell (guitar, 1962), Don Rathbone (drums, 1962-63), Tony Hicks (guitar, banjo, mandolin, electric sitar, vocals, 1963-present), Bobby Elliott (drums, percussion, 1963-present), Bernie Calvert (bass, 1966-81), Terry Sylvester (guitar, vocals, 1969-81), Mikael Rickfors (vocals, 1971-73), Denis Haines (bass, 1981-86), Alan Coates (guitar, 1981-2004), Ray Stiles (bass, vocals, 1986-present), Ian Parker (keyboards, vocals, 1991-present), Carl Wayne (vocals, 2000-04), Peter Howarth (vocals, acoustic guitar, 2004-present), Steve Lauri (guitar, vocals, 2004-present)
4th of July Asbury Park
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight for I may never see you again
Hey, Sandy, girl
My, my, my, my baby
Sandy, the fireworks are hailin' over Little Eden tonight
Forcin' a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this warm July
Chasin' all those silly New York virgins by the score
Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight, I promise I'll love you forever
Oh, I mean it, Sandy, girl
Oh, my baby
Hey, Sandy girl
My, my, my, my baby
Sandy, the waitress I was seeing has lost her desire for me
I spoke with her last night, she said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore
Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie for telling fortunes better than they do?
For me, this boardwalk life's through
You ought to quit this scene, too, ooh
Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight, for I may never see you again
Hey, Sandy, girl
My, my, my, my baby
Hey, Sandy, girl
Oh, my baby
Hey, Sandy girl
My, my, my, my, my, my baby
Hey, Sandy, girl
Oh, my baby
Hey, Sandy, girl
My, my, my, my baby
The Hollies' song Sandy tells the story of a love affair between the singer and a girl named Sandy. The song is rich in imagery and uses description to create a sense of nostalgia and longing. The aurora rising behind them and the pier lights represent the singer's sense of wonderment and the magic of Sandy's company. The carnival life suggests the brevity of their relationship but also its vivaciousness and excitement.
As if to emphasize the fleeting nature of their love, the fireworks are described as raining over Little Eden tonight. They force light into the stony faces left stranded on this warm July night. The imagery evokes the sense of something coming to an end, a final celebration of their time together. The boys dancing with their shirts open like Latin lovers suggests that the world continues to turn and life goes on, with or without Sandy.
The singer also speaks of a waitress he was seeing who has lost her desire for him. The mention of Madame Marie, who was well-known for her fortune telling, adds a layer of mysticism to the song. For the singer, the boardwalk life is through and he urges Sandy to leave it too. The repeated refrain of Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us creates a sense of inevitability, as if their time together is drawing to a close.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on love and the fleeting nature of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
The sky is getting brighter with the dawn behind us.
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
The lights from the pier remind us of our past carnival adventures that will live on forever.
Oh, love me tonight for I may never see you again
Love me tonight because we may never have this chance again.
Hey, Sandy, girl
Addressing Sandy, the girl he is singing to.
My, my, my, my baby
Endearment for Sandy.
Sandy, the fireworks are hailin' over Little Eden tonight
Fireworks are lighting up Little Eden tonight.
Forcin' a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this warm July
The fireworks are brightening the faces of people who appear stranded in this warm July night.
And the boys from the casino dance with their shirts open like Latin lovers on the shore
The casino boys are dancing with open shirts like passionate lovers on the shore.
Chasin' all those silly New York virgins by the score
They are pursuing many New York virgins foolishly.
Oh, love me tonight, I promise I'll love you forever
Love me tonight and I promise to always love you.
Oh, I mean it, Sandy, girl
He is earnestly expressing his love for Sandy.
Oh, my baby
Endearment for Sandy.
Sandy, the waitress I was seeing has lost her desire for me
The singer's waitress lover lost her love for him.
I spoke with her last night, she said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore
He talked to her, and she no longer wants to sacrifice herself for him.
Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie for telling fortunes better than they do?
The police arrested Madame Marie for being more proficient at telling the future than they are.
For me, this boardwalk life's through
The artist is done with the boardwalk life.
You ought to quit this scene, too, ooh
He advises Sandy to refrain from this lifestyle as well.
My, my, my, my baby
Endearment for Sandy.
Hey, Sandy, girl
Addressing Sandy, the girl he is singing to.
Oh, my baby
Endearment for Sandy.
Hey, Sandy girl
Addressing Sandy, the girl he is singing to.
My, my, my, my, my, my baby
Endearment for Sandy.
Hey, Sandy, girl
Addressing Sandy, the girl he is singing to.
Oh, my baby
Endearment for Sandy.
Hey, Sandy, girl
Addressing Sandy, the girl he is singing to.
My, my, my, my baby
Endearment for Sandy.
Contributed by Sadie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sandracooke4496
As a young women at the time I pretended it was sung for me ! It was such a song that made me feel good when things we tough at times! Thank you sooo much DEAR HOLLIES
@nasbyszbrown1656
Love the Hollies.Thank- you for the pleasure of your voices
@daviddeborahgreen9731
The old adage" you never know what you had until it`s gone" no-one can replace them!
@carlybowers-smith8088
I love the open shirt style on Allan Clarke. And I love watching him sing and I love his smile đ †just so amazing
@goneatlast
The concert '70's Hollies cast such a melodious spell Those harmonies are second to none, in my opinion. Thanks for this post. Peace,
@rosaliecooper3707
Love the Hollieâs all handsome guys better than the Beatlesâ€â€â€â€â€
@SandyFetoshi
Mein Lied đ¶ đ
@1962LIBBY
Had no idea they covered this Bruce tune. Nice. đ
@uilliam52
first class .
@paulahunt2737
Absolutely fantastic Allan is so good Xox đ