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)
Baby Don't Cry
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She'll go down in history
Twenty four hours of every day she'll cry
So baby don't {baby don't cry}
Oh baby don't {baby don't cry}
Dance a little, shake a little, you can even twist and shout
But baby don't cry, baby don't cry
Everytime we say good night
As i go to hold her tight
Never get to kiss her 'cauze she cries
Oh baby don't {baby don't cry}
Oh baby don't {baby don't cry}
Dance a little, shake a little, you can even twist and shout
But baby don't cry, baby don't cry
Break
Does she love me, yes or no
Will she ever tell me so
She just doesn't got the time she cries
Oh baby don't {baby don't cry}
Oh baby don't {baby don't cry}
Dance a little, shake a little, you can even twist and shout
But baby don't cry, baby don't cry
Dance a little, shake a little, you can even twist and shout
But baby don't cry, baby don't cry
One, two, three, four
The Hollies’ song “Baby Don’t Cry” tells the story of a man who has a girl that is crazy about him, but she cries all the time. The man cannot seem to find a solution to make her stop crying, despite the love that they both share. The heartbreaking lyrics suggest a girl who is deeply emotional and sensitive, but the reason behind her constant tears is left open to interpretation. The chorus emphasis on the phrase “baby don’t cry” is an exclamation of the man’s desire to end the pain he sees in the girl he loves. The title is repeated multiple times as plea for the girl to stop crying and to reassure her that everything will be okay.
The song starts by emphasizing the extent of the girl’s love for the man, which makes her on the verge of history. However, despite her love, she cannot hold her tears in. The lyrics in the chorus demonstrate the man’s frustration at his inability to stop his girl's crying. He tries to distract her with dancing, shaking or twisting but the tears persist. The lyrics in the last part of the song suggest that the man may question the girl’s love for him, whether she will ever tell him, but he still wants her to be happy and stop crying.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a girl she's crazy about me
I have a girlfriend who is extremely devoted to me
She'll go down in history
She will be remembered for her love and devotion
Twenty four hours of every day she'll cry
She cries uncontrollably all day and night
Oh baby don't {baby don't cry}
Please don't cry, my dear
Dance a little, shake a little, you can even twist and shout
Do anything to take your mind off your sadness
Everytime we say good night
Whenever we bid each other farewell for the night
As i go to hold her tight
When I try to hug her closely
Never get to kiss her 'cauze she cries
I can't even kiss her because she is sobbing
Does she love me, yes or no
I wonder if she really loves me
Will she ever tell me so
I hope she will express her love for me someday
She just doesn't got the time she cries
Her constant sadness prevents her from focusing on anything else
One, two, three, four
Counting to indicate the end of the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PERRY FORD, TONY HILLER
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.