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)
Bus Stop
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's there, I say
Please share my umbrella
Bus stops, bus goes
She stays, love grows
Under my umbrella
All that summer we enjoyed it
That umbrella we employed it
By August she was mine
Every morning I would see her
Waiting at the stop
Sometimes she'd shop
And she would show me what she'd bought
Other people stared
As if we were both quite insane
Someday my name and hers
Are going to be the same
That's the way the whole thing started
Silly but it's true
Thinking of our sweet romance
Beginning in a queue
Came the sun
The ice was melting
No more sheltering now
Nice to think that that umbrella
Led me to avow
Every morning I would see her
Waiting at the stop
Sometimes she'd shop
And she would show me what she'd bought
Other people stared
As if we were both quite insane
Someday my name and hers
Are going to be the same
Bus stop, wet day
She's there, I say
Please share my umbrella
Bus stops, bus goes
She stays, love grows
Under my umbrella
All that summer we enjoyed it
Wind and rain and shine
That umbrella we employed it
By August she was mine
The Hollies' song "Bus Stop" is a classic love song that depicts the story of two strangers who meet at a bus stop on a wet day. The singer, who seems to have taken a liking to the beautiful lady at the bus stop, invites her to share his umbrella. As they waited for the bus, their love blossomed, and they continued to see each other at the stop every day. They eventually fell in love, and the umbrella became a symbol of their blossoming relationship. The umbrella was their sanctuary from the elements, and this love story that began in a queue is a beautiful testament to the power of chance encounters and how love can bloom under the most unexpected circumstances.
The lyrics are written in a simple, almost conversational style, which makes the song easy to sing along with. There is a sense of innocence and nostalgia in the song, with its references to the wind and rain, which capture the mood of a rainy summer in England. The mention of "other people" staring at the couple as if they were both quite insane, adds an element of humor to the story, suggesting that their love story is something quite unique and worth admiring.
Line by Line Meaning
Bus stop, wet day
On a wet day at the bus stop
She's there, I say
I see her there
Please share my umbrella
Let’s share my umbrella
Bus stops, bus goes
The bus comes and goes
She stays, love grows
But our love continues to grow
Under my umbrella
Protected by my umbrella
All that summer we enjoyed it
We had a great summer together
Wind and rain and shine
Through all kinds of weather
That umbrella we employed it
We used that umbrella to stay dry
By August she was mine
By August we were in a committed relationship
Every morning I would see her
Every morning I saw her waiting at the bus stop
Waiting at the stop
Waiting at the bus stop
Sometimes she'd shop
Sometimes she shopped while waiting
And she would show me what she'd bought
And she would show me what she bought
Other people stared
Other people were curious
As if we were both quite insane
Thinking we were crazy
Someday my name and hers
One day we’ll be married
Are going to be the same
And share a last name
That's the way the whole thing started
That's how our love began
Silly but it's true
Not a rational way to fall in love, but it happened
Thinking of our sweet romance
Reflecting on our romantic story
Beginning in a queue
Starting in a line waiting for a bus
Came the sun
When the sun came out
The ice was melting
The ice melted away
No more sheltering now
No more need for shelter
Nice to think that that umbrella
It's nice to think that our relationship began under that umbrella
Led me to avow
Guided me to confess my love
By August she was mine
By August we were in a committed relationship
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GRAHAM GOULDMAN
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.