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)
If It Wasn't For The Reason That I Love You
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another day gone and I think of you
Wonder where you're going
Wonder what you do
Without me
[Verse 2]
A telephone call from a friend I know
Left me feeling so unhappy
'Cause if you couldn't wait for 24 hours
What good would telegrams and flowers do
[Chorus]
If it wasn't for the reason
That I love you baby
I wouldn't have another thing
To say to you
[Verse 3]
Might as well stay
For a day or two
Find another friend
And have a drink or two
To pass the time
[Verse 4]
Talking over troubles
In a whiskey daze
A little drop of cognac
Helps a man to face the lonely times
'Cause it's sad being home
And I've given up trying
I've got no lyin'
That I want to do
[Chorus]
[Verse 5]
Wish I could find a way
Make up the words to say
You cheated and you lied
You took away the little pride
I had inside
[Chorus]
[Verse 1]
[Verse 2]
[Verse 4]
[Verse 5]
The Hollies's song If It Wasn't For The Reason That I Love You is a poignant reflection on the deep love that the singer has for their significant other, despite the pain and hurt that they have caused them. The opening verse sets the tone as the singer ponders about the whereabouts and activities of their lover. There is a sense of loss and longing in the way they think of their lover, emphasizing the importance of their presence in their life. In the second verse, the singer receives a phone call from a friend, which leaves them feeling bitter and unhappy. The implication here is that the call brought about some information or news that might have something to do with their lover, which caused them to feel uneasy.
The chorus of the song acts as a reminder of the strength of the singer's love for their significant other. They acknowledge that if it weren't for this love, they wouldn't have anything left to say to them. The following verses explore the singer's internal struggle as they try to make sense of their feelings towards their lover who has betrayed their trust. In verse three, they decide to stay for a day or two, and perhaps find another friend to talk and drink with. They are lost and uncertain, seeking comfort and solace in companionship. The fourth verse describes the singer's attempts to cope with their loneliness with whiskey and cognac. They come to terms with their reality and admit that they have nothing left to say to their lover except to wish they hadn't cheated and taken away the pride that they once had.
The overall message of the song is that love can be both a source of joy and pain. The lyrics show that the singer is aware of their lover's shortcomings, but chooses to hold onto the relationship because of their love. The song is a perfect example of the Hollies' signature blend of pop rock and lush harmonies, underlining the emotions depicted in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Another day gone and I think of you
Every day that passes, I still can't stop thinking about you.
Wonder where you're going
I wonder where you are and what you're doing now that you're not with me.
Wonder what you do
I can't help but imagine what you're doing and who you're with instead of me.
Without me
I feel lost and incomplete without you by my side.
A telephone call from a friend I know
I received a call from a friend and it only made me feel worse about missing you.
Left me feeling bitter
The call left me feeling resentful and upset about our situation.
Left me feeling so unhappy
The news I received only heightened my sadness and misery without you.
If you couldn't wait for 24 hours
If you can't even wait one day to be with me, what good are any grand gestures like telegrams or flowers?
What good would telegrams and flowers do
Sending gifts won't make up for the fact that you're absent from my life.
Might as well stay
I might as well stay and try to distract myself for a while longer.
For a day or two
I'll stay temporarily, but I know that won't solve our problem.
Find another friend
Maybe I'll try to find someone else to spend time with and help me forget about you.
And have a drink or two
I'll try to numb my pain with alcohol and company, but it won't be the same without you.
To pass the time
I'll try to occupy myself and make time go by faster, but it won't make me feel any better.
Talking over troubles
I'll talk to my friends about my problems and hope they can offer me some advice or sympathy.
In a whiskey daze
While drinking and venting, I may become a bit intoxicated and lose my clear-headedness.
A little drop of cognac
Drinking alcohol can make the situation seem less dire and help me cope temporarily.
Helps a man to face the lonely times
When I'm feeling alone and lost, alcohol can give me a temporary feeling of comfort.
Cause it's sad being home
Being alone at home, without you, is a sad and depressing feeling.
And I've given up trying
I've given up trying to fix things between us because it feels like it would be useless.
I've got no lyin' that I want to do
I have no desire to deceive you or myself about the state of our relationship.
Wish I could find a way
I wish I could find a way to make things better between us and feel happy again.
Make up the words to say
I wish I knew the right words to say to fix things or express how I feel.
You cheated and you lied
I know that you've betrayed my trust and lied to me, and it hurts deeply.
You took away the little pride
Your actions have made me feel ashamed and embarrassed about our relationship and my own worth.
I had inside
My pride and self-respect have been shattered by your actions.
If it wasn't for the reason
If I didn't love you so much, I wouldn't be putting myself through all this pain and misery.
That I love you baby
My love for you is the only reason I'm still holding on and hoping for things to get better.
I wouldn't have another thing
If it wasn't for my love for you, there would be nothing left between us to keep me holding on.
To say to you
I'm running out of things to say to you or reasons to keep trying to make this work.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROGER FREDERICK COOK, ROGER JOHN REGINALD GREENAWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SticksCochran
Wonderful song. Shows the versatility of The Hollies. Slight jazz feel.
sorrysuzanne1967
Andrea, you are killing me! I am trying to do homework and I cannot concentrate because of the wonderful videos you post!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!! :)
AlanLHHL
Perfect song
thehenryal
Again, it is a great song!
thehenryal
Great song, 1972. Mikael is the new lead,, great, Clarkes comeback. great.
shandypotter
Glad you like it Suzanne♥
hector edgardo urbieta michalczuk
where is alan clarke un those days?
hector edgardo urbieta michalczuk
+shandypotter thanks, its about 2 months ago that i discover this band, and really surprise me how underrated band their were.. their are ultra fantástic, allan clarke voice is amazing, and tony is such a great guitarrist..
shandypotter
Pursuing his solo career.