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)
Have You Ever Loved Somebody
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think what you're doin' or else you'll regret what you've done
Don't come back tomorrow and say what we did wasn't right
You'll cry on your pillow and find it hard to sleep at night
Have you ever loved somebody?
Don't you know just what it's like?
Hurting someone that you're close to
Have you ever loved all night, all night?
Remember, what happened the last time that you said goodbye
Remember, the saying that once bit and I'll be twice shy
It's no use me crying, there is no denying, it's right
When thinking has ruined the feeling that we had to fight
Have you ever loved somebody?
Don't you know just what it's like?
Hurting someone that you're close to
Have you ever loved all night, all night?
If you hear people talking now
Will you laugh or cry?
If you cry, I'll sympathize with you
If you laugh, I'll die, if you laugh, I'll die
You say that you want me and now that you've got me, you're gone
Think what you're doin' or else you'll regret what you've done
Don't come back tomorrow and say what we did wasn't right
You'll cry on your pillow and find it hard to sleep at night
Have you ever loved somebody?
Don't you know just what it's like?
Hurting someone that you're close to
Have you ever loved all night, all night?
Have you ever loved somebody?
Don't you know just what it's like?
Hurting someone that you're close to
Have you ever loved all night, all night?
The Hollies’ 1967 hit, “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” is a melancholic ballad that explores the pain of loving someone who doesn’t reciprocate the affection. The song opens with the singer pleading with their lover to reflect on their actions before they regret hurting them. The chorus then poses the titular question: “Have you ever loved somebody? / Don’t you know just what it’s like? / Hurting someone that you’re close to / Have you ever loved all night, all night?” The lyrics don't just talk about the pain of loving someone who doesn’t love back but also the fear of being hurt again. The singer knows that they cannot continue with the same old routine of breaking up and getting back together because that will hurt them even more.
In the second verse, the singer reminds their lover of the previous goodbye and warns them of making the same mistake again. They know that their lover saying goodbye to them will cause them pain, but they also know that they will never be able to get back with them again. The singer acknowledges that there’s nothing they can do to change their lover's feelings, and it's no use to weep over something they can't change. The song ends with the singer asking their lover if they will laugh or cry if someone talks about the breakup, and they pledge to sympathize if they cry but will “die” if they laugh.
Overall, “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” is a song that speaks to anyone who has ever loved someone who doesn’t feel the same way. It also addresses the fear of being hurt again by the same person. The melody's sad and wistful tone reinforces the message of pain and heartache that the lyrics convey.
Line by Line Meaning
You say that you want me and now that you've got me, you're gone
You expressed that you desire me, but now that I'm yours, you've disappeared
Think what you're doin' or else you'll regret what you've done
Consider your actions carefully, otherwise you'll feel remorseful for what you've caused
Don't come back tomorrow and say what we did wasn't right
Don't return the next day and deny the actions we took were wrong
You'll cry on your pillow and find it hard to sleep at night
You'll shed tears while resting your head on the cushion, and restlessness might ensue
Have you ever loved somebody?
Have you experienced the feeling of loving someone deeply?
Don't you know just what it's like?
Don't you have an understanding of the intense emotions that come with being in love?
Hurting someone that you're close to
Causing pain to someone with whom you're intimately bonded
Have you ever loved all night, all night?
Have you ever cherished someone to the extent that you love them all-night long?
Remember, what happened the last time that you said goodbye
Recall the outcome of the previous instance when you left
Remember, the saying that once bit and I'll be twice shy
Recall the adage that if a negative event happened once, you'll be cautious in the future
It's no use me crying, there is no denying, it's right
Crying isn't helpful now since the undeniable truth is that it's over
When thinking has ruined the feeling that we had to fight
Overthinking destroyed the passion that we had to work to maintain
If you hear people talking now
In case you overhear others gossiping at present
Will you laugh or cry?
Will your response be joyous or tearful?
If you cry, I'll sympathize with you
If you cry about the situation, I'll understand and feel empathy for you
If you laugh, I'll die, if you laugh, I'll die
However, if you laugh about it, I'll feel as if a part of me has died
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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.