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)
Can't Let Go
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feel so bad baby, ooh, it hurts me
When I think of how you love and desert me
I'm the broken hearted toy you play with, baby
You got me goin', I need you baby
I can't let go, and I want you baby
I gotta have you, you know
Though I'm just one of your lovers
And I know there are so many others
You do something strange to me, baby, baby
You got me goin', I need you baby
I can't let go, and I want you baby
I gotta have you, you know
And I can't let go
I try and I try but I can't say goodbye
I know that it's wrong and I should be so strong
But the thought of you gone makes me want to hold on
You got me goin', I need you baby
I can't let go, and I want you baby
I gotta have you, you know
And I can't let go
You got me goin', I need you baby
I can't let go, and I want you baby
I gotta have you, you know
I can't let go
I can't let go
I can't let go
I can't let go
I can't let go
The Holliesโ song โI Canโt Let Goโ is a heart-wrenching ballad about the struggles of letting go of an unhealthy relationship. The vocalist expresses their inability to break free from their lover and the torment they feel from being unable to detach. The opening line, โI try and I try but I canโt say goodbyeโ, sets the tone for the song as the singer reveals their struggles with ending the relationship. The pain they feel is further revealed with the lyrics, โFeel so bad baby, ooh, it hurts meโ. The vocalist is torn between the love they feel for their partner and the knowledge that theyโre being mistreated. The lyrics, โWhen I think of how you love and desert meโ illustrate the singerโs despair in knowing that theyโre being taken advantage of.
The chorus of the song highlights the urgency of the singerโs predicament. They need their partner and are unable to let go of the relationship, despite knowing that itโs unhealthy. โI gotta have you, you know, And I canโt let goโ emphasizes their desperation and fear of being alone. Furthermore, the singer acknowledges that theyโre not the only one. โThough Iโm just one of your lovers, And I know there are so many othersโ. The chorus is repeated multiple times throughout the song, highlighting the agony theyโre experiencing.
Overall, the song excellently conveys the feelings of heartbreak and the struggle of letting go of an unhealthy relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I try and I try but I can't say goodbye
Despite my efforts, I am unable to bid farewell
Feel so bad baby, ooh, it hurts me
Your actions have caused me pain and sadness
When I think of how you love and desert me
I am dismayed at how you show affection and then leave
I'm the broken hearted toy you play with, baby
You manipulate my emotions and treat me like a toy
You got me goin', I need you baby
You have a powerful hold on me, I crave your presence
I can't let go, and I want you baby
I cannot release my grip, I desire you deeply
I gotta have you, you know
I must possess you, it is an unshakeable urge
Though I'm just one of your lovers
I am aware that I am not the only one you see romantically
And I know there are so many others
I recognize that you have numerous other lovers
You do something strange to me, baby, baby
Your behavior towards me is peculiar and inexplicable
I know that it's wrong and I should be so strong
I am aware of the error of my ways and should be more resilient
But the thought of you gone makes me want to hold on
The mere idea of losing you incites me to cling even tighter
I can't let go
I am unable to relinquish my hold
I can't let go
I cannot release my grip
I can't let go
I am incapable of bidding farewell
I can't let go
I am powerless to release my grasp
I can't let go
I am unable to let you go
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AL GORGONI, CHIP TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1966 {March 17th} the Hollies "I Can't Let Go" peaked at #2* {for 3 weeks} the the United Kingdom's Official Top 50 Singles chart, the three weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for those three weeks was "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" by the Walker Brothers...
"I Can't Let Go" reached #42 on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
Between 1963 and 1993 the Manchester, England band had thirty three records on the UK Singles chart, eighteen made the Top 10 with two reaching #1, "I'm Alive" for three non-consecutive weeks in June of 1965 and "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" for two weeks in September of 1988...
* "I Can't Let Go" was the Hollies' second of four of their records to peak at #2, their three other #2 records were "Just On e Look" {1964}, "Stop Stop Stop" {1966}, and "The Air That I Breathe" {1974}...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the UK Singles' Top 10 on March 17th, 1966:
At #3. "Sha La La La Lee" by the Small Faces
#4. "Groovy Kind of Love" by the Mindbenders
#5. "Barbara Ann" by the Beach Boys
#6. "Shapes of Things" by the Yardbirds
#7. "Backstage" by Gene Pitney
#8. "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" by the Kinks
#9. "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra
#10. "Make The World Go Away" by Eddy Arnold
Marie Blue
In career, The Hollies authored a fair part of their repertoire, but a great many hits were penned by outsiders. โI Canโt Let Goโ, for instance, was composed by Al Gorgoni and Chip Taylor*.
โI Canโt Let Goโ was originally taped in 1965 by a 19 year old Evie Sands. Unfortunately, it didnโt get its fair share of airplay.
In 1966, The Hollies covered it with much success. The rock and pop band always had an uncanny ability to recognize a good song and put their own singular twist onto it by giving it a British beat feel with soaring harmonies.
Linda Ronstadt - the First Lady of Rock - recorded it in 1980. Her version was remarkably true to the Holliesโ interpretation. She used double-tracking to duet with herself on the chorus.
Through the years, โI Canโt Let Goโ proved to be an all-around blue-eyed soul standardโโค๏ธโ๐ฉน๐ถโค๏ธโ๐ฉน
May you rest in peace, Eric John Haddock (1943 - 2019)โฆ ๐น
* Chip Taylor, nรฉ James Wesley Voight, is actor Jon Voightโs brother, thus uncle to actress Angelina Jolie.
GrtSatan
Tony Hicks is the guitar hero that never was. Absolutely brilliant.
Harrisonianne
60s Johnny Marr
flimbambo
Like Brian Jones he favoured a Vox (although not on this) which was an unusual choice at the time. Great backing vocalist as well
Derek Whyle
The very best of that era. No other pop group of the early/ mid 60โs had any guitarist to beat him
Turbo Soggy
flimbambo Unusual in the 60s? The Beatles used them earlier on.
Cade
flimbambo since when was the vox unusual in the 60s the Beatles used them lmao
Anna Seireklidou
One of the greatest bands of the 60s. Thank you Hollies
antoniorobert1204@gmailcom
Good morning Anna, how are you doing today, I hope you are fine over there?
Ian McGuiness
100 per cent agree, great musicians, Tony Hicks what a virtuoso.
Tom Zeeh
My favorite Hollies' song. Turn up that volume whenever you play it. That Hicks' guitar, those vocals, that drumming - LIVE! Wow. And they looked cool, too. What more do you want?