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 The Line
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thoughts of my baby runnin' through my mind
She's a-waitin' for me, I gotta be on time
I gotta roll
Well, the white marker's flying off the road below
When I'm really flying low
My baby's waiting, I can't go slow
Well, the big policeman pulled along side of me
He said "Boy, you ain't quite as fast as me"
I showed him a picture of that baby of mine
He said "Boy, you gotta roll on down that line"
The Hollies' hit song "Down the Line" is a classic example of a road trip song. From the very first verse, the song captures the spirit of adventure and the thrill of experiencing the open road. The singer is driving his old car, and his thoughts are consumed with his love, who is waiting for him at his destination. He is in a hurry to get there because he doesn't want to keep her waiting. The urgency is reflected in the lyrics, "She's a-waitin' for me, I gotta be on time, I gotta roll."
The second verse increases the excitement even further, with the singer going as fast as possible, the white markers on the road below flying past. He still cannot slow down, as his baby is waiting for him. The third verse introduces an unexpected obstacle in the form of a big policeman. The police officer pulls up beside him, and the singer is sure he is going to get a ticket. However, he manages to convince the policeman to let him go with a picture of his baby. The officer understands the urgency of the situation and allows him to continue his journey, telling him to "roll on down that line."
Overall, "Down the Line" is a song about adventure, love, and the joys of the open road. It captures the spirit of the 1960s perfectly, with its upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics that are sure to get stuck in your head.
Line by Line Meaning
Well my old car's a-rollin' down the line
My old car is cruising through the highway
Thoughts of my baby runnin' through my mind
I'm thinking about my lover while driving
She's a-waitin' for me, I gotta be on time
My lover is waiting for me, I need to be punctual
I gotta roll
I have to keep moving
Well, the white marker's flying off the road below
The white lines on the road are whizzing past me
When I'm really flying low
When I'm driving at a slow pace
My baby's waiting, I can't go slow
I can't drive slowly as my lover is eagerly waiting for me
I gotta roll
I have to keep moving
Well, the big policeman pulled along side of me
A big policeman pulled up next to me
He said 'Boy, you ain't quite as fast as me'
The policeman said that I'm not as fast as him
I showed him a picture of that baby of mine
I showed him a picture of my lover
He said 'Boy, you gotta roll on down that line'
The policeman told me to keep driving and make my way down the road
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MONTGOMERY, BUDDY HOLLY, NORMAN PETTY
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.