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 You
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And don't be unkind
I'm just a foolish man
Who doesn't know his mind
There is a reason
I don't love you like I should
And it's you
Yes, it's you
Try understanding
I'm a simple man at heart
The way you carry on
I think we'll drift apart
I can't afford to live
The way you want us to
So, it's you
Yes, it's you
Oh, it's you
Why can't I love you
Why can't I love you
Cause I'm not the kind of man you are looking for
If everything is wrong
We'll go our separate way
You'll have to find a man
Who does just what you say
To break up is a shame
It spoils the chance we had
But it's you
Yes, it's you
Oh, it's you
Why can't I love you
Why can't I love you
Cause I'm not the kind of man you are looking for
If everything is wrong
We'll go our separate way
You'll have to find a man
Who does just what you say
To break up is a shame
It spoils the chance we had
But it's you
Yes, it's you
Oh, it's you
The Hollies’ song “It’s You” is a heartfelt ballad of a man who struggles to love someone despite his best efforts. The opening lyrics, “Don't raise your voice to me and don't be unkind, I'm just a foolish man who doesn't know his mind,” illustrate his desperation in trying to explain his lack of love. He recognizes that there is a reason he cannot reciprocate the love he is receiving, and it is not because of the other person, but it is “you” (the person he cannot love) who he is grappling to come to terms with.
The following verse explains that the man is a simple person who cannot live up to the expectations of his lover, which only serves to widen the gap between them. The chorus repeats the message that the reason for the man’s inability to love is simply “you.” The song is a plaintive admission from a man who recognizes that despite trying hard, he cannot love the woman he is with, despite her love for him. In the end, he recognizes that they will have to part ways to seek new love and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't raise your voice to me
Please speak to me calmly and respectfully.
And don't be unkind
Please treat me with kindness and understanding.
I'm just a foolish man
I am not always wise in my decisions or actions.
Who doesn't know his mind
I struggle with making up my mind or knowing what I truly want.
There is a reason
I have a reason that I cannot love you the way you deserve.
I don't love you like I should
I am aware that I am not giving you the love and care that you need or deserve.
And it's you
The reason I cannot love you properly is because of who you are.
Yes, it's you
I am certain that it is because of you that I cannot love you the way you deserve.
Oh it's you
This is something that I cannot change or overcome, it is simply because of you.
Try understanding
Please try to understand me and where I am coming from.
I'm a simple man at heart
Despite any complications, I am fundamentally a simple person.
The way you carry on
Your behavior and expectations are causing us to drift apart.
I think we'll drift apart
I fear that our relationship will not last because of our differences and disagreements.
I can't afford to live
I cannot live up to the lifestyle or expectations that you desire.
The way you want us to
The way you want us to live is not something I am capable of providing.
So, it's you
Because I cannot provide what you need, it is ultimately because of you that we are drifting apart.
Oh it's you
Even though I do not want to hurt you, it is because of you that we cannot move forward in our relationship.
Why can't I love you
I am wondering why I cannot love you the way you deserve.
Why can't I love you
I am questioning why I cannot give you the love and attention you need.
Cause I'm not the kind of man you are looking for
I acknowledge that I am not the type of person who can fulfill your needs or desires in a partner.
If everything is wrong
If everything is not going right in our relationship.
We'll go our separate way
We will have to break up and move on from each other entirely.
You'll have to find a man
You will have to find someone new who can give you the love and support you need and deserve.
Who does just what you say
Someone who can meet your expectations and live up to your desires completely.
To break up is a shame
Ending our relationship is unfortunate and regrettable.
It spoils the chance we had
Our relationship had potential, but it cannot continue because we are incompatible.
But it's you
Once again, it is ultimately because of you that things cannot work out between us.
Yes, it's you
Without a doubt, it is because of you that our relationship cannot progress.
Oh, it's you
No matter what, it is because of you that things between us cannot work out.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, TONY HICKS, GRAHAM NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Carrie Anne
A nice and catchy song by The Hollies.
Philip Kassabian
on Bus Stop
Yet another great Hollies song.
Philip Kassabian
on Stop Stop Stop
One of the best bands from the 60's no doubt.