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)
Dear Eloise
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dear Eloise, I am writing to say
A number of funny thing I heard today.
I heard that he's left you and run off to sea.
Could be the best thing that's happened to me.
1. Writing a letter to make you feel better.
Sorry to hear that he left you that way.
So much older than you.
2. You rushed blindly, he treated you kindly
Until he found out what he could get from you.
You should have departed before he got started.
Now you've been burned just like I said you would.
3. Please read my letter closely.
It's beneficial, too.
You must read in-between the lines,
A message you will see.
If you use your mind, you'll find
I want you back with me.
[Verse 2]
So much older than you, so much older than you.
[Chorus]
The Hollies's song Dear Eloise, released in 1967, is a reminder of a love lost and a plea to rekindle a relationship. The song starts with the singer trying to make Eloise feel better by telling her some funny stories. Eloise seems to have just been left by someone she was with, and it seems to have been a devastating break, as the singer apologizes that he was much older than her, as he probably suggested she shouldn't have been with him. The singer continues by saying that he is sorry she rushed blindly into something, and that he knew it wouldn't have worked out. He says she should have left before it started, but she didn't listen to his advice, and now she's been left with nothing.
Then he explains that he has sent her a letter, and she should read it closely because it's beneficial. He tells her to read between the lines, and she will see that he wants her back with him. He reminds her that the person who left was much older than her, and he never treated her right. The singer knew this would happen and tried to warn her, but she didn't listen. He's trying to make her see that he can be there for her, and he wants to be with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Eloise, I am writing to say
I'm sending you a letter to express my emotions.
A number of funny thing I heard today.
I heard some amusing things today.
I heard that he's left you and run off to sea.
Rumor has it that he left you and went to sea.
Could be the best thing that's happened to me.
It might be for my benefit that he left.
Writing a letter to make you feel better.
I'm composing a message for your comfort.
Sorry to hear that he left you that way.
I'm saddened to hear he departed so abruptly.
I could have told you, he was much older,
I knew he was much older than you.
So much older than you.
He was drastically older than you.
You rushed blindly, he treated you kindly
You quickly fell for him, and he treated you kindly.
Until he found out what he could get from you.
He was kind until he realized what he could gain from you.
You should have departed before he got started.
You should have left before he got involved.
Now you've been burned just like I said you would.
You got hurt as I predicted.
Please read my letter closely.
Read my message attentively.
It's beneficial, too.
It's also advantageous.
You must read in-between the lines,
You have to infer from what's not stated.
A message you will see.
You will find a message.
If you use your mind, you'll find
If you think critically, you'll discover.
I want you back with me.
I desire to be with you again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mindislife
one of the best hollies songs. Should have been in their greatest hits album, but usually not included.
@dububro
I'm listening to it on their greatest hits album right now
@andrewbrennan7291
Great band. Never let their fans down.
@777RockNRollin
How many epic songs do the Amazing Hollies have ???? Countless classics !!
@brookcrowley4254
The Hollies' only Australlan single release to be released on a label other than Parlophone; this came out on Columbia, and it reached #27 on the charts.
@rozchristopherson648
One of my favorite songs. And it was on the greatest hits album I have.
@starmanbrinley9936
Weird idea to make a promo film of this period of a band, but without instruments but without any proper actions or acting. Bobby and Bernie especially look somewhere between bored and embarrassed, though who can blame them!? Still an awesome and fun video I've never seen before of a totally underrated band and great song.
@andywhite40
Agreed!! It's so impromptu and unrehearsed which is what sets this sort of "promo film" apart from modern music videos. You can just imagine it, the band are in Italy promoting themselves and they get asked to do this, oh and Bobby and Bernie just stand about with your hands in your pockets if you like!! Brilliant song though, I think could be their answer to Eleanor Rigby actually....
@arvidsmith1038
@@andywhite40 yes very likely up to the minute at the behest of the record co . also very likely no pay for this .
@henryniznik406
Loved this song the very first time I saw them perform it on The Ed Sullivan Show in early 1968.