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)
A Little Thing Like Love
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Took you from dakota from the black hills to the plains
I brought you up a lady and the right way to behave
Turned my pockets inside-out and not a dime was saved
And now you're trying to decide whether to go or stay
Don't let a little thing like love keep on bringing you down, my babe
Don't let a little thing like tears keep on turning you 'round, my babe
You're old enough to change your ways
And if you're feeling all run down, you look for the brighter lights uptown
Don't let a little thing like me ever stand in your way
Took you on a fast train across the rio grande
A mexicano wedding with a tijuana band
You blew my whole life savings and all the gold I'd panned
So if you're trying to find a way to say your sweet goodbyes
Chorus
You're old enough to change your ways
And if you're feeling all run down
You look for the right to light the town
Don't let a little thing like me
Ever stand in your way
Don't let a little thing like love
The Hollies's song Little Thing Like Love tells the story of someone trying to encourage their partner to not let love interfere with their personal goals and ambitions. The song begins with the singer describing how they brought their partner up to be a proper lady, but in the process, they spent all of their money. Now, the partner is torn between leaving or staying with the singer. The chorus serves as a warning to not let love get in the way of important decision-making. The singer sings that a little thing like love should not change one's plans or bring them down, and they encourage their partner to find brighter lights uptown.
The second verse of the song describes a fast train ride across the Rio Grande to a Mexican wedding with a Tijuana band. While the experience was exciting, the singer was left with no savings and no gold. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the importance of not letting a little thing like love stand in the way of one's aspirations. The song ends on a positive note, with the singer assuring their partner that they are old enough to change their ways and find their own path.
Overall, Little Thing Like Love is a cautionary tale about the fine balance between love and personal ambition. It encourages listeners and partners to prioritize their own dreams, even if it means leaving someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Took you from Dakota from the Black Hills to the plains
I took you away from your birthplace and raised you well
I brought you up a lady and the right way to behave
I made sure you were raised to be a well-behaved lady
Turned my pockets inside-out and not a dime was saved
I spent all my money on you and saved nothing
And now you're trying to decide whether to go or stay
You're considering leaving me, but you're not sure
Don't let a little thing like love keep on bringing you down, my babe
Don't let your love for me hold you back or make you unhappy
Or ever change the plans you made
Don't let your plans be affected by our relationship
Don't let a little thing like tears keep on turning you 'round, my babe
Don't let sadness or crying hold you back or make you unsure
You're old enough to change your ways
You're mature enough to make your own decisions
And if you're feeling all run down, you look for the brighter lights uptown
If you're feeling tired or depressed, find something exciting to do in the city
Don't let a little thing like me ever stand in your way
Don't let me or our relationship hold you back from living your life
Took you on a fast train across the Rio Grande
I took you on a fast train across the border to Mexico
A Mexicano wedding with a Tijuana band
We had a traditional Mexican wedding with a band from Tijuana
You blew my whole life savings and all the gold I'd panned
You spent all the money I had saved and even the gold I worked hard to obtain
So if you're trying to find a way to say your sweet goodbyes
If you're looking for a way to end our relationship in a kind way
Don't let a little thing like love
Don't let our love for each other
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, TONY MACAULAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Carrie Anne
A nice and catchy song by The Hollies.
Philip Kassabian
on Bus Stop
Yet another great Hollies song.
Philip Kassabian
on Stop Stop Stop
One of the best bands from the 60's no doubt.