The Hollies are a well-respected British beat and pop band that formed in t… Read Full Bio ↴The Hollies are a well-respected British beat and pop band that formed in the early 60s. Initially they had a squeaky-clean image and were famous for their rich vocal harmonies, rivaling those of The Beach Boys. Between 1964 and 1969, only two Hollies songs failed to reach the UK Top 10. Their most famous member was Graham Nash, who left in 1968 to form the folk supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash. Two of the core members, drummer Bobby Elliott and lead guitarist Tony Hicks, still perform with The Hollies into the new millennium.

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)

It's A Shame It's A Game
The Hollies Lyrics

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Out last night in my Sunday stripes
(You didn't want to know me)
At the Tuesday hop if I wear drainpipes
(You say you're gonna throw me)
The way you treat me's frightening
Strike me down like lightning

You know it's a shame

(You didn't want to know me)
It's a game
(You say you're gonna throw me)

Out of town there's a story around
(You're staying with another)
At the picture show so the rumor goes
(You've been playing with my brother)
I don't know where I'm standing
You give me such a bumpy landing

It's a shame
(You're staying with another)
It's a game
(You've been playing with my brother)

Getting a bad reaction
Chasing my girls best friend
Wonder should I walk on home
Plan a break-up or shake hands and make up again

It's a shame
It's a game
(It's a shame, it's a game)
(It's a shame, it's a game)

I was out tonight looking wild in white
(You didn't want to know me)
Tried to catch a hint on how to jive
(You didn't want to show me)
I haven't got a dogs chance
If I don't know how to hip-dance

It's a shame
(You didn't want to know me)
It's a game
(You didn't want to show me)

I really felt hip wearing my stripes, baby, it's a shame
(It's a shame, it's a game)
And I really thought my drainpipes were outta sight, yeah, it's a shame
(It's a shame, it's a game)

Well, you struck me down like lightning, baby, I didn't know what to do
(It's a shame, it's a game)
There's so many rumors about me and about you
I don't know what to do (It's a shame, it's a game)

It's a shame, I don't know what to do, baby, I need you (It's a shame, it's a game)
Oh, come on, and teach me how to hip jive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Hollies's song "It's A Shame It's A Game" are about the frustration and confusion of a troubled romantic relationship that is plagued with rumors and suspicion. The singer is lamenting his partner's lack of trust and is expressing his feelings of helplessness and uncertainty regarding the future of their relationship. The first verse describes the singer's attempts to impress his partner by dressing up in his Sunday stripes and wearing drainpipes to the Tuesday hop, but she rejects his efforts and threatens to throw him out. In the second verse, the rumors and suspicion are becoming overwhelming, with accusations of infidelity and betrayal from both sides. The singer is feeling lost and unsure of how to navigate the situation, whether to break up or make up.

Overall, the song conveys a sense of sadness and resignation regarding the difficulty of maintaining a healthy relationship in the face of mistrust and doubt. The refrain of "it's a shame, it's a game" emphasizes the sense of futility that the singer feels, as if he is trapped in a never-ending cycle of frustration and disappointment.

It's A Shame It's A GameThe Hollies Lyrics

Philip Kassabian

on Carrie Anne

Philip Kassabian

on Bus Stop

Philip Kassabian

on Stop Stop Stop

It's A Shame It's A Game
The Hollies Lyrics