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)
Down River
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I've changed a lot since then
You're lookin' fine, babe
Three years that ain't long, Rosie
I still remember our song
When you were mine, babe
But it sure moves slow
Down river when you're locked away
Hey why didn't you write, Rosie
I stayed awake most every night
Countin' my time babe
Oh no I ain't mad Rosie
I know you had to mind your dad
But just a line babe
Oh sure I remember then
We went off to school
Ain't that right
Well he ain't no fool
He's a good man Rosie
Hold him tight as you can
Don't ask me why babe
Yeah nice seein' you again Rosie
Me I got things to do
Well good-bye babe
chorus
chorus
Rosie down river
Down river when you're locked away
Rosie I'm losing
Down river
The Hollies’ song “Down River” is a poignant account of a romantic reunion between two old acquaintances named Rosie and the singer, who haven't seen each other in a few years. The singer remarks on Rosie's unchanged beauty and gently chides her for not staying in touch while he was in prison. The song's title references the fact that while time may pass, certain things, like the direction of a river, remain the same.
The lyrics then shift to the present, where the singer mentions that Rosie is now married to a good man who she should hold tightly. The mood of the song is bittersweet, with the singer clearly still harboring feelings for Rosie, even as he acknowledges that they are no longer together. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and regret, as the singer reflects on what could have been and the fact that he feels like he is losing Rosie to someone else.
Overall, “Down River” is a beautifully crafted song that not only explores the complexities of romantic relationships but also reflects on the passage of time and the importance of appreciating what we have when we have it.
Line by Line Meaning
Good to see you again, Rosie
It's great to see you again, Rosie.
I know I've changed a lot since then
I'm aware that I've changed a lot since we last saw each other.
You're lookin' fine, babe
You look great, Rosie.
Three years that ain't long, Rosie
Three years isn't much time, Rosie.
I still remember our song
I still remember the song we used to sing together.
When you were mine, babe
When we were together, Rosie.
Times change, times change I know
Everything changes over time, and I know that.
But it sure moves slow
Sometimes, it feels like the changes take forever to happen.
Down river when you're locked away
Time seems to move even slower when you're stuck in one place for a while, like being locked away.
Hey why didn't you write, Rosie
Why didn't you write to me, Rosie?
I stayed awake most every night
I stayed up late nearly every night, hoping to receive a letter from you.
Countin' my time babe
I spent a lot of time counting the days until we could be together again.
Oh no I ain't mad Rosie
I'm not angry with you, Rosie.
I know you had to mind your dad
I understand that you had to take care of your dad.
But just a line babe
I only wish you had sent me a letter, even a short one.
Oh sure I remember then
Of course, I remember that time when we went off to school.
We went off to school
We left home to attend school.
Ain't that right
Isn't that what happened?
Well he ain't no fool
Your dad is a smart man, Rosie.
He's a good man Rosie
Your dad is a good person, Rosie.
Hold him tight as you can
Appreciate your dad and spend as much time with him as you can, Rosie.
Don't ask me why babe
I don't know why I'm telling you all this, Rosie.
Yeah nice seein' you again Rosie
It was good to see you again, Rosie.
Me I got things to do
I have things to do, Rosie.
Well good-bye babe
Goodbye, Rosie.
Rosie down river
Rosie is moving further away from me.
Down river when you're locked away
Time seems to move even slower when you're stuck in one place for a while, like being locked away.
Rosie I'm losing
I'm losing you, Rosie.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID ACKLES
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.