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)
Jennifer Eccles 2:44
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our love, told in a heart
It's there, drawn in the playground
Love, kiss, hate or adore
I love Jennifer Eccles
I know that she loves me
I love Jennifer Eccles
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la
I used to carry her satchels
She used to walk by my side
But when we got to her doorstep
Her dad wouldn't let me inside
One Monday morning,
Found out I'd made the grade
Started me thinking,
Had she done the same?
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la
One Monday morning,
Found out I'd made the grade
Started me thinking,
Had she done the same?
I hope Jennifer Eccles
Is going to follow me there
Our love is bound to continue
Love, kiss, hate or adore
Singing
I love Jennifer Eccles
I know that she loves me
I love Jennifer Eccles
I know that she loves me
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la la
The lyrics to The Hollies' song "Jennifer Eccles" tell the story of a young, innocent love. The use of white chalk and red brick creates a visual of a playground where children draw their feelings with chalk, and the words "love, kiss, hate or adore" suggest the range of emotions that can come with love. The chorus, with its repetition of "I love Jennifer Eccles, I know that she loves me," highlights the simplicity and certainty of the love the singer feels.
The verses paint a picture of a young couple growing up together, with the singer carrying Jennifer's satchels and walking her home. However, when he reaches her doorstep, her father won't let him inside, suggesting a potential conflict or disapproval of their relationship. The repetition of the verse "One Monday morning, found out I'd made the grade, started me thinking, had she done the same?" suggests an uncertainty about the future of their relationship as they approach adulthood and perhaps branch out into different paths.
Overall, "Jennifer Eccles" is a nostalgic and sweet look back on a youthful romance, with a catchy chorus and memorable imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
White chalk, written on red brick
A message of love or affection written with chalk on a red brick wall.
Our love, told in a heart
Our love for each other, expressed through a heart symbol.
It's there, drawn in the playground
The message of love is drawn on the playground, visible for everyone to see.
Love, kiss, hate or adore
Various emotions related to love.
I love Jennifer Eccles
The artist loves Jennifer Eccles.
I know that she loves me
The singer is confident that Jennifer Eccles loves him as well.
I used to carry her satchels
The singer used to carry Jennifer Eccles' satchels for her.
She used to walk by my side
Jennifer Eccles used to walk beside the artist.
But when we got to her doorstep
When they arrived at Jennifer Eccles' home.
Her dad wouldn't let me inside
Jennifer Eccles' father did not allow the artist to enter their house.
One Monday morning,
At the start of a new week.
Found out I'd made the grade
The artist had achieved something significant, possibly academic.
Started me thinking,
This event made the singer start thinking about something specific.
Had she done the same?
The singer wonders if Jennifer Eccles had also achieved something significant.
I hope Jennifer Eccles
The singer has hope and a wish for Jennifer Eccles.
Is going to follow me there
The artist hopes Jennifer Eccles will follow him to the new place he will go to.
Our love is bound to continue
The artist believes that their love will continue, despite any obstacles.
Singing
The singer is now singing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, 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.