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)
Break Me
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But never find the heart to leave me
Cos I need you too much
So play your game but don't desert me
You're being hurt, undone
True lovin baby please believe me
Don't be afraid to trust me
And if you feel you've gotta test me
Before you'll be my girl
Well you can take me, you can break me
But you can't make me (kill my love)
Cos that's the only thing I won't do for you
Cos I say too much
I am rehearsed so please forgive me
Well I can't help but touch
For please so keep inside you in me
I threw away my crutch
I'm not a boy you dare to see me
Don't be afraid to try me
C'mon and give a guy a whirl
And if you feel you've gotta test me
Before you'll be my girl
Well you can take me, you can break me
But you can't make me (kill my love)
Cos that's the only thing I won't do for you
I was makin lotta time o' mine
So now you take me to the other side
I wanna get somewhere inside your world
So come on away girl
The Hollies’s song “Break Me” is a plea from a man to his lover not to leave him. He acknowledges that he may be difficult to love, but he begs her to trust him and not test him. He tells her that he wouldn’t trade her for the world and that he is man enough for her. He wants to get so deep inside her world and begs her not to run away. The song also has elements of sensuality, with references to making love inside his mind and finally kissing her lips. The repetition of the phrase “you can shake me, you can break me, but you can’t make me” emphasizes the man’s determination to not let his lover’s tests break him or change who he is.
Overall, the song is a desperate plea for love and connection. The man acknowledges his flaws and difficulty to love, but he hopes that his lover can see past that and give him a chance. The sensuality in the lyrics adds an element of intimacy and passion, highlighting how deeply the man desires his lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Do anything you want
I am willing to compromise, give you freedom and let you do whatever you wish
But never find the heart to leave me
Despite permitting you to have your own space, I do not want you to leave me or break my heart
'Cause I need you too much
You are very important to me and I cannot imagine my life without you
So play your game but don't desert me
You can go through your life as you please but please do not completely abandon me in the process
Maybe you heard I'm tough
You might have heard that I am challenging or difficult to love
To love but baby please believe me
Despite my tough exterior, please trust that I love you deeply
Don't be afraid to trust me
Do not hesitate to put your trust in me
I wouldn't trade you for the world
You are invaluable to me, and there is nothing in the world that can make me want to part with you
And if you feel you gotta test me
If you think you need to challenge me or put me through a test, go ahead
Before you be my girl
Before committing to be in a relationship with me
You can shake me, you can break me
You can try to shake or break me, but I will not fall apart
But you can't make me
The only thing I will not do for you is to be easily manipulated or controlled
'Cause that's the only thing I won't do for you
I will do anything for you, except give in to being made to do your bidding
Sometimes I say too much
Occasionally, I end up speaking more than I should have
I am right now so please forgive me
Right now is one of those times, so please pardon me for speaking too much
When I can't help but touch
There are times when I cannot control myself and have to touch you
The place so deep inside you and me
That innermost feeling and connection that we share
I threw away my crutch
I have let go of something that I relied on or used as a support system in the past
I'm man enough for you, can't you see me?
I am capable of being your partner and complimenting your life, can you not see that?
Don't be afraid to try me
Do not be hesitant to give me a chance
Come on and give a guy a whirl
Take the opportunity to date me and see how it goes
Well I was making love inside my mind
I had a vivid imagination and was fantasizing about making love to you
Somehow you take me to the other side
You have the ability to transport me to another realm or dimension
I want to get so deep inside your world
I desire to be so intimately connected with you, to completely understand you and to be part of your world
So don't run away girl
Please do not flee or avoid me
You can shake me
You can try to break me or shake me from my resolve
But you can't make me
But you cannot force me to do something I do not want to do
'Cause that's the only thing I won't do for you
The only thing I will not give in to is being coerced or manipulated into doing something against my will
I'm gonna
I am determined and committed to doing what it takes
I'm gonna
I will persevere through the obstacles and challenges
I'm gonna make you mine
I will do everything in my power to make you all mine
???
Not a meaningful line of the song
I'd sail a thousand ships to finally kiss your lips
I am willing to go to great lengths and endure incredible challenges in order to be able to finally kiss you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GREGG ALEXANDER, ROB DAVIS, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brendanaschinski-bp9dj
Great singer and performer
@brendanaschinski-bp9dj
Great song great group
@ruvicon
Fantastic! the legend to be continued
@CarlosBeatle
Good song but.... The Hollies... Allan Clarke...Graham Nash... Tony Hicks... Boby Elliot......... ALLAN CLARKE!
@KarlSharicz
Gregg Alexander wrote a good song, and The Hollies did a great rendition. At least Tony and Bobby are making a living with The Hollies' name. Granted it's not the same lineup but it's still pretty damn good!!
@TheAllience
Where is Allan Clarke?
@LG-kl3co
Its all online. However, he is now almost 80 years old. He retired about 1993 to look after his wife who was very ill (she recovered) and his voice was going. Since that time he kept a low profile but a couple of years ago he was given a recording contract and released an album "Resurgence" . Whilst not a hit or ever likely to be, if your a Clarke fan then its worth having all the same. He did appear at the Rock and Roll Hall of fame(2010) along with other former group members where they were inducted ...and deservedly so !
@thehunter3387
Wtf .why are there so few views
@LG-kl3co
Yes why so ? However, lets face it the "younger generation" don't even have a clue about who The Beatles were so there is not much hope for The Hollies ! Todays excuse for music is pretty dire :+(