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)
Falling Calling
The Hollies Lyrics
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Didn't believe the good book
Lord, Lord please help me, help me take a look
These chains that I'm wearing really ain't my style
Lord, Lord please help me, help me think awhile
I know that I did something wrong
I got into bad ways
Falling, falling, falling over you
Calling, calling, I don't know what to do
Falling, falling, falling over you
Calling, calling, I don't know what to do
The cell I'm in is only six feet wide
And six feet to the roof
There's a window that's strung with only three bars
Singing me the truth
Fifty and seventy don't seem right
Seventy ain't my age
When I leave this place with a new face
It's to turn another a new page
Falling, falling, falling over you
Calling, calling, I don't know what to do
Falling, falling, falling over you
Calling, calling, I don't know what to do
Didn't believe in the bible
Didn't believe the good book
Well, now Lord, Lord please help me, help me take a look
These chains that I'm wearing well, they really ain't my style
Well, now Lord, Lord please help me, help me think awhile
Falling, falling, falling over you
Calling, calling, I don't know what to do
Falling, falling, falling over you
Calling, calling, I don't know what to do
The lyrics to The Hollies' song "Falling Calling" seem to be about a man who has gotten into trouble with the law and is now serving time in prison. He seems to be searching for something to believe in and knows that he needs help to get through his difficult situation. He sings about not believing in the Bible or the good book but still asking for the Lord's help. He also laments about the chains he is wearing and his current situation, stating that they really aren't his style. He acknowledges that he did something wrong and got into "bad ways" which resulted in a judge sentencing him to five thousand days.
The second verse describes the small cell he is confined to with only three bars on the window. He talks about how 50 and 70 don't seem right, possibly referring to his sentence length or his age. He plans to leave the prison with a new face to turn another page and start a new chapter in his life. The chorus repeats twice and is a cry for help, unsure of what to do and falling over the person he is thinking of.
Line by Line Meaning
Didn't believe in the bible
I had doubts about the teachings of the Bible
Didn't believe the good book
I was skeptical about the validity of the holy scripture
Lord, Lord please help me, help me take a look
I am asking for divine intervention to guide me in finding the truth
These chains that I'm wearing really ain't my style
I feel imprisoned and restricted by my current situation
Lord, Lord please help me, help me think awhile
I am seeking divine guidance to help me think and reflect on my life choices
I know that I did something wrong
I am acknowledging my mistakes and wrongful actions
I got into bad ways
I succumbed to negative behavior and habits
Well, the judge, yes he put me down for five thousand days
I was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment by the judge
Falling, falling, falling over you
I am deeply in love with you and can't resist falling for you
Calling, calling, I don't know what to do
I am reaching out to you and seeking your guidance and support
The cell I'm in is only six feet wide
I am confined to a small and cramped prison cell
And six feet to the roof
The cell is very small and cramped, with barely enough room to move
There's a window that's strung with only three bars
The cell has a small and limited window that is covered with only three bars
Singing me the truth
The window is my only source of truth, that gives me a glimpse of the outside world
Fifty and seventy don't seem right
The number of years of imprisonment that I face seem too harsh and unjust
Seventy ain't my age
I am young and have much of my life ahead of me
When I leave this place with a new face
Once I am released from prison, I will be a changed person
It's to turn another a new page
I am determined to start afresh and make a new beginning in life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, TERRY SYLVESTER
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.