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)
Gasoline Alley Bred
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time to get your butt outta bed
Get down your hats and your baggage my child
Goin' back home gettin' back to the homestead
I'm gonna heat me some water
Put a shine upon my shoes
Telephone my ma, keep the room above Joe's
Everythin' is packed, gettin' back to the homestead
This time, this time we'll stay, baby
I know that we could have made it
We had ideas in our heads
And I wish somehow we could have saved it
But we're gasoline Alley Bred
Yet the years haven't really been wasted
And I know it in my head
We did good for the life that we tasted
'Cause we're gasoline Alley
Gasoline Alley Bred
Woman you can really believe it
I did everythin' a man could do
Breakin' my back just to make us a dime
That won't mean a damn when no one wants to know you
Woman I know how your feelin'
I've seen the hurt upon your face
How many times do you think that I've cried
Knowin' every day that your heart was gettin' broken
Holdin' back your pride till you were nearly chokin'
Let's get away, baby
I know that we could have made it
We had ideas in our heads
And I wish somehow we could have saved it
But we're gasoline Alley Bred
Yet the years haven't really been wasted
And I know it in my head
We did good for the life that we tasted
'Cause we're gasoline Alley
Gasoline Alley Bred
(Gasoline Alley)
Gasoline Alley Bred
(Gasoline Alley)
Gasoline Alley Bred
(Gasoline Alley)
Gasoline Alley Bred
The song Gasoline Alley Bred by The Hollies is a powerful ballad about a couple who are going back to their hometown after struggling to make it in the city. The song expresses the couple's remorse for not being able to make it big in the city and their desire to go back to their roots. The opening lines, "Oh woman get your head out of curlers, time to get your butt outta bed" are meant to wake the woman up and urge her to get ready for the trip back home. The couple looks back at the years they have spent away from home and realize that they could have made it big had they not been "gasoline alley bred".
The song talks about the struggles that the couple faced while trying to make a living in the city. It talks about how the man had to break his back to make a dime and how the woman had to hold back her pride until she was nearly choking. The couple realizes that they could have done better and regrets not being able to do so. However, they also realize that the years they have spent away from home were not wasted as they did good for the life that they tasted.
In summary, the song Gasoline Alley Bred by The Hollies is a poignant reflection on the struggles of a young couple trying to make a life in the city. The song expresses their regret and desire to go back to their hometown, and their realization that they could have done better.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, woman get your head out of curlers
Get ready and pay attention, it's time to make moves.
Time to get your butt outta bed
It's time to get up and start the day.
Get down your hats and your baggage my child
Prepare your things and belongings for the upcoming journey.
Goin' back home gettin' back to the homestead
Returning to their roots and aiming to reconnect with their past.
I'm gonna heat me some water
Preparing to take care of oneself, making sure they are presentable.
Put a shine upon my shoes
Taking care of oneself, trying to present oneself in the best possible way.
Telephone my ma, keep the room above Joe's
Contacting family members and making sure they have a place to stay when they return.
'Cause we're comin' back, comin' back to the homestead
Emphasizing the focus on returning to one's roots and past.
Everythin' is packed, gettin' back to the homestead
Fully prepared and ready to return to their roots and past.
This time, this time we'll stay, baby
Determined to stay in their past and not let it go.
I know that we could have made it
Regretting not being able to achieve their goals.
We had ideas in our heads
Having a vision of what they wanted to do.
And I wish somehow we could have saved it
Wishing for a better outcome, to have been able to achieve their goals.
But we're gasoline Alley Bred
However, they were limited by their circumstances and backgrounds.
Yet the years haven't really been wasted
Realizing that even though they didn't achieve their goals, they still made progress and grew as individuals.
And I know it in my head
Having a strong belief about the growth that was achieved despite not achieving all of their goals.
We did good for the life that we tasted
Despite limitations, they were able to make positive contributions to their lives.
'Cause we're gasoline Alley
Acknowledging their roots and past, which has made them who they are today.
Gasoline Alley Bred
The title of the track, reiterating their limitations and past.
Woman you can really believe it
Reassuring a loved one that they are to be trusted and believed in.
I did everythin' a man could do
Working hard and trying his best to achieve their goals.
Breakin' my back just to make us a dime
Working tirelessly to make a living and create a stable life for themselves.
That won't mean a damn when no one wants to know you
Feeling a sense of frustration and defeat that their hard work hasn't been noticed or acknowledged by others.
Woman I know how your feelin'
Understanding the emotions and struggles of a loved one.
I've seen the hurt upon your face
Having seen the emotional pain and struggle they have experienced.
How many times do you think that I've cried
Expressing the emotional pain and agony they have experienced.
Knowin' every day that your heart was gettin' broken
Seeing a loved one experience emotional pain on a daily basis.
Holdin' back your pride till you were nearly chokin'
Putting aside their own emotions and pride to support a loved one.
Let's get away, baby
Wanting to take a break and get away from their struggles and past.
(Gasoline Alley)
Reiterating the title of the track.
Gasoline Alley Bred
Another reiteration of the track's title, emphasizing their past and limitations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROGER FREDERICK COOK, ROGER JOHN REGINALD GREENAWAY, TONY MACAULAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rockape252
I'm 75 years old and remember this song from the first time I heard it. Cracking song and Lyrics.
@AN-fw5el
I remember buying this from a Woolworths in St. Helier Jersey when were on holiday. Good memories of my Dad and Mum and times when people who I thought were family were not the money grabbers they are today.
@billychristie1640
an absolute classic for all time.a monster track & if this isn't the greatest track recorded in the 70's, well there is no justice
@osinho1234
Not only the Hollies' masterpiece as such - for any bass player Bernie Calvert's performance here is a revelation ... 😀
@389383
Great that he actually got some screen time here. Were his and Eric's voices so bad that neither of them got to sing?
@peterevans3839
Magnificent ! So proud of these lads from my home town and the North west of England.
@barryhughes9764
The greatest, most prolific, underrated band ever........bar none.
@kellychurchill9869
Agree totally Barry... peace.
@Baskerville22
Almost agree. The Bee Gees outdid them for longevity, variety and volume of great music
@jimmyhall7692
Totally agree, a very talented and underrated band