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)
Caracas
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wash my cares away
Feelin' the breeze going through the trees
Just the music of the day
Oh, going to Caracas
Beautiful town when the lights go down
Dance the night away
That's what the people say
Oh, Caracas
Come to the show and let yourself go
There's magic in the air
Come a long way to make your day
You gonna show you that we care
Oh, going to Caracas
Oh, I'm going to Caracas
Almost there, got my ticket, paid my fare
Almost there, stop us if you dare
Oh, almost there, got my ticket, paid my fare
Almost there, yeah, stop us if you dare
Fade my jeans in the deep blue sea
Gonna wash my cares away
Feelin' the breeze going through the trees
Just the music of the day
Oh, going to Caracas
Oh, going to Caracas
The Hollies’s song Caracas encapsulates the free-spirited vibe of the 1960s with a catchy melody and lyrics that describe the excitement of heading to the beautiful town of Caracas. The song talks about a carefree traveler who is looking to escape their worries and wash it all away by fading their jeans in the deep blue sea. The idea behind this is to let go of all the stress and anxiety and just enjoy the music of the day.
The next verse in the song talks about how beautiful Caracas is when the lights go down. The traveler wants to dance the night away and drink wine, which makes them feel fine. The line “That’s what the people say” implies that Caracas is known for its lively night scene where the locals and tourists alike come together to party every night.
The third verse brings in the idea of magic, with the line “There's magic in the air” suggesting that anything is possible in Caracas. The song then emphasizes the idea of traveling by talking about how the traveler has come a long way to make their day, and the band is there to show they care. Overall, Caracas is a hopeful and uplifting song that encourages listeners to let go of their worries and enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna fade my jeans in the deep blue sea
I will clean and soften my jeans by washing them in the ocean water.
Wash my cares away
I will let go of all my worries and concerns as I enjoy the ocean's calming effect.
Feelin' the breeze going through the trees
I am embracing the natural beauty around me and enjoying the winds blowing through the trees.
Just the music of the day
I am only listening to and appreciating the sounds of nature and the current moment.
Oh, going to Caracas
I am getting excited about my upcoming trip to Caracas.
Beautiful town when the lights go down
Caracas is a breathtaking city, especially at night when the lights illuminate the streets and buildings.
Dance the night away
I am looking forward to letting loose and dancing all night long in Caracas.
Drinkin' the wines make me feel fine
The wine in Caracas is so delicious and enjoyable that it puts me in a great mood and makes me feel good all over.
That's what the people say
I have heard from other people about how great the wine is in Caracas and the wonderful effect it has on them.
Oh, Caracas
I am expressing my enthusiasm for Caracas once again.
Come to the show and let yourself go
I encourage others to come to the performance in Caracas and allow themselves to relax and have fun.
There's magic in the air
There is an enchanting and mystical aura in Caracas that can be felt by everyone who visits.
Come a long way to make your day
I have traveled a distance to bring joy and happiness to others in Caracas.
You gonna show you that we care
I want people to know that I and others care about them and their enjoyment of the show and Caracas overall.
Almost there, got my ticket, paid my fare
I am almost at my destination, having already taken care of the necessary travel arrangements.
Yeah, stop us if you dare
I am eager to get to Caracas and nothing will stop me from doing so.
Fade my jeans in the deep blue sea
I will continue the tradition of washing my jeans in the ocean while in Caracas.
Feelin' the breeze going through the trees
Once again, I am appreciating the natural beauty and peacefulness of my surroundings in Caracas.
Just the music of the day
I am only listening to and soaking up the sounds of Caracas and its daily life.
Oh, going to Caracas
I just can't wait to experience everything Caracas has to offer once again.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN (GB 1 CLARKE, TONY HICKS, TERRY SYLVESTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ANDO5600
The HOLLIES al presentarse en el Poliedro después de Vitas Brenner y su banda, quien luego de su interpretación dejaron el ambiente CALIENTE.....subieron al escenario el grupo ingles con todos sus grandes éxitos y calidad musical, pero con menos fuerza interpretativa que la de Vitas Brenner....el público venezolano empezó a lanzarles pelotillas de papel ( muy normal en esa época de conciertos) .....y a la 4ta o 5ta canción pararon y se fueron de la tarima....el publico empezaron a llamarlos durante unos 20 minutos...hasta que volvieron a salir y luego de su 2do tema el público volvió a lanzarles las pelotillas de papel...los Hollies, no les quedo otra que reirse y compartir con el público...creo que este suceso los hizo componer es tema CARACAS.
@irmaraujo
gracias por la info
@oldhorse2
Ellos llegaron a Venezuela el 16/09 de 1977 y se presentaron en el poliedro los días 20 y 21 de Septiembre de 1977. El telonero fue Vitas Brenner. Luego en 1978 sacan esta canción dedicada a Caracas. Al parecer les gustó mucho la ciudad.
@irmaraujo
gracias por la info, muy ilustrativa
@femaibenrigiel7958
Guaoooo... sabia que habian compuesto una canción dedicada a Caracas Venezuela... pero jamás la habia escuchado. La voz no es Allan Clark... me parece más bién Terry Sylvester. Muy buena anécdota la del Sr. Alejandro Pérez... no la sabia. Pero me extraña... Los Hollies siempre desde sus comienzos tuvieron mucha fuerza interpretativa y la voz de Clarke o Tony, incluso de Terry siempre fue de gancho. En fin cosas que pasan.
@MONCHINGLASHBAC
esta muy buena esa canción, nunca me lo hubiera imaginado
@yrvyndavila
Grandes The Hollies unos de mis grupos favoritos año 1978 A Crazy Stal
@syleriam
Tremendo aporte.
@moorlock2003
Best track on the album.
@josermont
Frank Pourcel compuso una canción dedicada a Venezuela.