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)
Carrie
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take my heart and leave it there
I'm gonna feel this way forever
Never thought that I'd be free
Now you've made this change in me
Carrie, Carrie
Now only time will tell
You always tried so hard to please me
Only thing I know for sure
I couldn't love you any more
Carrie, Carrie
Waited so long no one to share
Could you belong to someone
Show you care, I'll be there
Oh, Carrie, is it more than a dream this time? (more than a dream)
Carrie, can I tell everyone you're mine? (tell everyone you're mine)
I will never be the same
Now you've made me live again
Carrie, is it more than a dream this time?
Oh, Carrie, is it more than a dream this time?
My heart is open wide
You know how I feel inside
You say my sad old days are over
Never need to hide away
Getting stronger every day
Carrie, Carrie
Waited so long no one to share (Why did you keep me waiting?)
Could you belong to someone?
Show you care, I'll be there
Oh, Carrie, is it more than a dream this time? (more than a dream)
Carrie, can I tell everyone you're mine? (tell everyone you're mine)
I will never be the same
Now you've made me live again
Carrie is it more than a dream
Oh, Carrie, is it more than a dream this time? (more than a dream)
Oh, Carrie, can I tell everyone you're mine? (tell everyone you're mine)
Oh, Carrie, is it more than a dream this time? (more than a dream)
Oh Carrie, can I tell everyone you're mine?
The Hollies’ song “Carrie” is a moving ballad about a man who has been hurt in love before, but finds hope in a new relationship with a woman named Carrie. The opening line, “One cold and sad affair, take my heart and leave it there,” sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer laments his past failed relationships. He sings about how he has changed because of Carrie’s love, and wonders if their relationship will last. Throughout the song, the singer uses powerful imagery to express his emotions, painting a picture of his inner turmoil with poetic lyrics like “My heart is open wide, you know how I feel inside.”
The chorus, “Oh, Carrie, is it more than a dream this time? Carrie, can I tell everyone you’re mine?” is particularly poignant, as the singer expresses his fear of losing Carrie and his desire to make their relationship official. The song ends with a note of hope, as the singer vows to be there for Carrie and to never be the same without her. Overall, “Carrie” is a powerful expression of the ups and downs of relationships and the hope and fear that come with falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
One cold and sad affair
This relationship has been melancholy and unhappy from the beginning.
Take my heart and leave it there
You have broken my heart and left it behind with you.
I'm gonna feel this way forever
My heartache will never go away and I will always feel this sadness.
Never thought that I'd be free
I never believed that I would be able to move on from this heartbreak and pain.
Now you've made this change in me
You have helped me to heal and make a positive change in my life.
Carrie, Carrie
The person who has brought about this change is named Carrie.
Now only time will tell
Only time will reveal if this newfound happiness will last.
It's a dream I know so well
This kind of happiness has always been a dream, but never a reality, until now.
You always tried so hard to please me
Carrie has always made an effort to make me happy and satisfy my needs.
Only thing I know for sure
The one thing I am certain of is that I love Carrie deeply.
I couldn't love you any more
My love for Carrie is at its maximum capacity and cannot be increased any further.
Waited so long no one to share
I have been waiting for so long to find someone to share my life with.
Could you belong to someone
I wonder if you could truly belong to me and be my soulmate.
Show you care, I'll be there
If you show me that you truly care about me, I will always be there for you.
Oh, Carrie, is it more than a dream this time?
I am uncertain if this love with Carrie is truly real or just a dream.
Carrie, can I tell everyone you're mine?
I am so happy and in love with Carrie that I want everyone to know she is mine.
I will never be the same
My life has been transformed by this love and it will never be the same again.
Now you've made me live again
Before Carrie, I was simply existing, but now I am truly living thanks to her love.
My heart is open wide
I am fully open and vulnerable to Carrie, giving her my whole heart.
You know how I feel inside
Carrie understands me completely and knows how deeply I feel for her.
You say my sad old days are over
Carrie has promised that my days of sadness are behind me now.
Never need to hide away
I no longer have to hide away from the world or my feelings thanks to her love.
Getting stronger every day
With Carrie's love, I am becoming stronger and more resilient every day.
Why did you keep me waiting?
I wonder why Carrie took so long to come into my life and bring me this happiness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Poopaloo55
This is The Hollies...their song, their sound...their personality. A band this good in their own right didn't need to imitate anyone. Beatles were Beatles & Hollies were Hollies. It's all good!
@newhotman1001
This is truly one of the greatest bands from the 60's. The number of hits that they had rivals any group, Beatles included, from that era. Allan Clarke had a beautiful voice, Tony Hicks a terrific guitarist and Bobby Elliot was a very underrated, albeit great, drummer. How they are not in the RRHOF is a mystery and travesty.
@faeryquene
Why would anyone need to compare The Hollie-or any other band of the era-with The Beatles? For me they were great on their own merits. I enjoy all bands of that age and I don't need to go about 'comparing' them. To what purpose? It's not a popularity contest. It's music. Just enjoy it.
@kapacon
One of the best songs I've ever heard. And it's sung with an innocence that we'll never see again.
@Poopaloo55
Allan's voice defined the Hollies' sound totally. His 'shyness' is his charm. Great voice and stunning good looks...the whole package!
@CosmicFork
The Hollies more than any other British Band celebrated Rock & Roll as PURE FUN...That's why everybody still loves this group so much!!
@MotownMoJo64
I love the harmony vocal arrangements in this song..One of the BEST!!!
@Khultan
As much as I love The Beatles, I'm so glad there were MILLIONS of others that put their own signature sound and identity just the same!
@bufufubu
one of my faves! i love that the vocals somehow blend together in a very abrasive way. superb performance, that drummer rocks!
@davethecaveman
strong vocals and harmonies,well written song,awesome performance...i was born in 66 but can't get enough of the Hollies still...