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 Wanna Shout
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To tell that you really love me
'cause I find it hard to tell you
To tell you that I really love you
And I know what's in your heart
In your mind, in your body, and your soul
But it's easy when we whisper
We want to shout it out loud
But we can't let people know
We want to shout it out loud
But our love is not for show
[Chorus:]
I've got something you've got nothing
A child, a home of my own
It's so hard for me to break it
I can't break it, I can't make it on my own
[Chorus:] x2
The Hollies' song "I Wanna Shout" features lyrics that are centered around the idea of love and being unable to express it openly. The song is essentially a conversation between two people who love each other but are unable to express it fully due to societal constraints. The first verse reveals that both parties find it difficult to express their love for each other, despite knowing it's there. They both keep it a secret, whispering to each other when no one is around.
The chorus, which is repeated twice throughout the song, talks about their love as something that cannot be known by the public. They want to "shout it out loud," but they can't let people know about it. The reason for this is explained in the second verse, where the singer reveals that they have "something" that the other person doesn't have: a child and a home of their own. This creates a situation where expressing their love openly could lead to unwelcome consequences.
Overall, the song perfectly captures the feeling of being unable to express something that you know is there. The Hollies do an excellent job of using lyrics that are clear and to the point, which makes the song easily relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you find it hard to tell me
Do you struggle to express your love for me?
To tell that you really love me
To verbally communicate that you have deep affection for me
'cause I find it hard to tell you
Because I have trouble uttering that I love you
To tell you that I really love you
To inform you of the extent of my caring towards you
And I know what's in your heart
I comprehend what emotions reside inside of you
In your mind, in your body, and your soul
In your thoughts, physique, and spirit
But it's easy when we whisper
However, it's effortless to speak softly and discreetly
Not letting people know.
Ensuring that others are unaware
We want to shout it out loud
We have a desire to proclaim our love audibly
But we can't let people know
However, we must keep our affections hidden
We want to shout it out loud
We want to proclaim our love loudly
But our love is not for show
However, our love isn't just for display
I've got something you've got nothing
I possess something that you lack
A child, a home of my own
Specifically, offspring and a domicile unique to myself
It's so hard for me to break it
It's challenging for me to terminate this relationship
I can't break it, I can't make it on my own
I am incapable of ending it or overcoming it independently
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, TERRY SYLVESTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
veraluciasc
Allan's voice is amazing! Thanks for posting the video.
David Bailey
Great to hear Terry belting out that first verse!
R Martin
This is good, but I think Wicked Lester did it even better.
GrayWoIf
Don't care who sings it this song is just so good no matter what
THE CLARENCES
Wicked Lester did a great version of this song. xoxo The Clarences
Phillip Anderson
Something wrong with the way the vocals are mixed, or perhaps it's just lousy production. But it is a good song.
ALLNEWSUX
No shit, Wicked Lester? I'll have to check out that version as well.
Kevin Jokipii
Good luck finding a clear recording of it. I have a boot on cassette and it sounds like it was taped over the phone.