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)
I've Been Wrong
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I've been wrong before
But I know for sure
That I saw you last night
Out with another guy
It nearly made me cry
So I'm telling your girl
And I'll give you anything you want anytime you want
So stand by me my love
And I'll give you everything
And I'll give you everything
Break
Stand by me my love
And I'll give you anything you want anytime you want
So stand by me my love
And I'll give you everything
And I'll give you everything
I, I've been wrong before
But I know for sure
That I saw you last night
Out with another guy
It nearly made me cry
So I'm telling your girl
Cry
So I'm telling you girl
Cry
So I'm telling you girl
Cry
The lyrics to The Hollies' song "I've Been Wrong" speak of the singer's experience of feeling heartbroken and betrayed after seeing the person they love with someone else. Despite admitting that they have been wrong before, the singer feels certain and truthful in what they witnessed. The lyrics seem to suggest a desire for forgiveness and a second chance to make things right, offering the refrain "stand by me my love" and promising to give their partner everything they want. The repeated use of "cry" at the end of the song emphasizes the depth of the singer's pain and the urgency of their plea for reconciliation.
The song's lyrics display a sense of vulnerability and emotional honesty that is characteristic of The Hollies' music. The use of acoustic guitar, harmonies, and the lead vocalist's distinct voice convey a sense of nostalgia and yearning that is both timeless and of its specific era. The song was written by Graham Nash and Allan Clarke, two prolific members of The Hollies who contributed to many of the band's hits throughout the 60s and 70s.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I've been wrong before
Acknowledging past mistakes and admitting to the possibility of being wrong again.
But I know for sure
Despite past mistakes, there is a certain level of conviction and certainty in the current situation.
That I saw you last night
The singer is claiming to have witnessed a potentially damaging situation.
Out with another guy
The witnessed situation involves the subject of the song being with another person.
It nearly made me cry
Emotional distress caused by the witnessed situation.
So I'm telling your girl
Involving a third party, reaching out to someone else (presumably the subject's partner) to warn them of potentially unfaithful behavior.
Stand by me my love
Reaching out to the subject of the song, expressing a desire for support and loyalty.
And I'll give you anything you want anytime you want
Offering complete and unconditional willingness to provide for the subject's needs and desires.
So stand by me my love
Repeating the request for loyalty and support.
And I'll give you everything
Reiterating the offer of complete and unconditional support.
Break
A musical interlude, a pause in the lyrics.
Cry
A repeated word that emphasizes the emotional distress and pain the artist is feeling.
So I'm telling you girl
Reiterating the desire to warn the subject's partner about the potentially unfaithful behavior.
Cry
Reiterating the emotional distress and pain the singer is feeling.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, GRAHAM NASH, TONY HICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yesman 2
Total perfection. Right up there with the best of the Fabs. Ron Richards was an incredible producer. Couple that with great harmonies, and one of the greatest drummers of the era in Bobby Elliott, and POW ! Sounds utterly amazing with the cans on !!
n00se
I, I've been wrong before
But I know for sure
That I saw you last night
Out with another guy
It nearly made me cry
So I'm telling your girl
[2x:]
Stand by me my love
And I'll give you anything you want anytime you want
So stand by me my love
And I'll give you everything
And I'll give you everything
I, I've been wrong before
But I know for sure
That I saw you last night
Out with another guy
It nearly made me cry
So I'm telling your girl
[2x:]
Cry
So I'm telling you girl
belisario guerra
Original: The Hollies ( U.K. ) - I've been wrong ( L. Ransford ) ( 1965 ). Cover: The Buckingham's ( U.S. ) - I've been wrong ( 1966 ).
Hexagon Harry
I hear the Kinks...
Will Law
But you've been wrong before.