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)
Headed For A Fall
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I`ve no cause to doubt you
My friends tell me different that`s all
They say that I`m blind
but I know all about you
I know that I`m heading for a fall
I know that I`m heading for a fall
a subject to your beck and call
Your arms magnetize me
when I`m here beside you
I know that I`m heading for a fall
I know that I`m heading for a fall
Or am I wasting my time
Or am I wasting my time
Or am I wasting my time
Or am I wasting my time
What is it about you that tempts me and taunts me
I can`t understand it all
If I try to leave you I know that you`ll haunt me
I know that I`m heading for a fall
I know that I`m heading for a fall
The lyrics of "Heading for a Fall" by The Hollies describe a man who is struggling to reconcile his own feelings for a woman with the warnings from his friends that she may not be trustworthy. Although he says he has no cause to doubt her, his friends have planted a seed of doubt that he can't shake. Meanwhile, he is deeply attracted to her and feels drawn to her in a way that he can't quite explain. He describes himself as "hypnotized" by her beauty, and says that he feels magnetized to her when they are together.
Despite his reservations, the man feels unable to resist the woman's pull. He says that he knows he is "heading for a fall," meaning that he is aware that his actions may have negative consequences but feels unable to stop himself. He muses about whether he is wasting his time with her, but seems to already know the answer. The song ends with him acknowledging that he is likely to be haunted by his feelings for this woman no matter what happens.
The overall mood of the song is one of confusion and uncertainty. The man is torn between his own desire and the warnings from others, and seems unable to make a decision about what to do. The lyrics suggest that he is aware of the potential consequences of his actions but feels powerless to resist this woman's pull. Ultimately, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting too wrapped up in a relationship and losing one's sense of judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
You say that you want me
You express your desire for me
I`ve no cause to doubt you
I believe that you are sincere
My friends tell me different that`s all
However, my friends have a different opinion
They say that I`m blind
They think that I am not aware of something
but I know all about you
But, in reality, I am familiar with your ways
I know that I`m heading for a fall
I have a premonition that I will suffer a setback
I seem to be hypnotized by all your beauty
Your physical attractiveness mesmerizes me
a subject to your beck and call
I am at your disposal and do your bidding
Your arms magnetize me
Your embrace has a powerful effect on me
when I`m here beside you
Whenever I am near you
Or am I wasting my time
Perhaps I am investing my energy unwisely
What is it about you that tempts me and taunts me
I am intrigued by the allure you possess, yet it also torments me
I can`t understand it all
I am grappling to comprehend my fascination with you
If I try to leave you I know that you`ll haunt me
Even if I attempt to move on, I anticipate difficulty freeing myself from thoughts of you
I know that I`m heading for a fall
I am confident that I am on a course for personal failure
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, GRAHAM NASH, TONY HICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Starry&Bohemian
I discovered the Hollies with this album in 2001...it was a delight...they were as "evolved and progressive" as the Beach Boys the Beatles and the Stones were in '67
Harrisonianne
agreeeeee. top with the pops I don't know why they are so under appreciated
Graham D
It's amazing what you find with the sixties and seventies bands. When you dig deeper than their hit singles.
This album is a great rare find and is one that you need to hear before you die. An absoloute gem!
Children of Minerva (Official)
When it comes to The Hollies, the only material that is recommended is Hollies' Greatest (mono mix of the UK version) and the albums For Certain Because....., Evolution and Butterfly.
That is the cream of the Clarke/Nash/Hicks era.
Paul Hipensteel
I've been a Hollies fanatic since 1972, Evolution is my all-time favorite of their LP's
Daniel Quagliata
touching!
Pete Mcneil
my mother gave me this album in 1970 when we were moving home
Leandro Ibarra
Best song ever
Jennifer Elizabeth
The best!
Morningface -
Chills. Everywhere