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)
Just Like a Woman
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tonight as I stand inside the rain
Everybody knows that baby's got new clothes
But lately I seen her ribbons and her bows
Have fallen from her curls
Oh, she takes just like a woman
Yes she does
Yes she does
And she aches just like a woman
Yeah but she breaks just like a little girl
Mary, she's my friend
Yes, I believe, I'll go see her again
Nobody has to guess that baby can't be blessed
'Til she finally sees that she's like all the rest
With her fog, her amphetamines and her pearls
Oh, she takes just like a woman
Yes she does
And she makes love just like a woman
Yes she does
And she aches just like a woman
Yeah but she breaks just like a little girl
It was rainin' from the first
I was dyin' of thirst
So I came in here
And your longtime curse
Hurts but what's worse
Is this pain in here?
I can't stay in here, ain't it clear?
I just can't fit
Yes, I believe it's time for us to quit
When we meet again, introduced as friends
Please don't let on that you knew me when
I was hungry and it was your world
Oh, she takes just like a woman
Yes she does
And she makes love just like a woman
She aches just like a woman
Yeah, takes just like a woman
Yeah, makes love just like a woman
In The Hollies' song "Just Like a Woman," the lyrics tell a story of a woman who is complex and contradictory in her behavior and emotions. The singer observes that everyone knows the woman has new clothes, but he has noticed that her ribbons and bows have fallen out of her hair. He then goes on to describe her actions in relation to a typical woman - she takes, makes love, and aches just like one, but she also breaks just like a little girl. The singer then mentions his friend Mary before returning to the woman with the fog, amphetamines, and pearls.
It seems as though the woman is playing a role or trying to appear a certain way, but the singer sees through her facade. He recognizes that she is like all the other women, but he also perceives her vulnerability and fragility beneath her tough exterior. The encounter between the singer and the woman does not seem to end well as the singer remarks that he can't stay in here and it's time for them to quit. He also asks the woman not to reveal that they knew each other when he was in a vulnerable position.
The song has been interpreted by many as being about a romantic relationship with a woman who is complex and enigmatic. However, the lyrics could also be interpreted as a commentary on societal expectations of women and how they are expected to act and appear a certain way, even if it goes against their true nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody feels any pain
There is no one who is emotionally hurt or suffering
Tonight as I stand inside the rain
At this moment, amidst the rain, I am standing in sorrow
Everybody knows that baby's got new clothes
Everyone is aware that she is putting on a show and pretending to be someone she is not
But lately I seen her ribbons and her bows Have fallen from her curls
I noticed that she is struggling and her façade is breaking down
Oh, she takes just like a woman Yes she does And she makes love just like a woman Yes she does And she aches just like a woman Yeah but she breaks just like a little girl
She behaves like a typical woman in love, with all the vulnerability and fragility that comes with it
Mary, she's my friend
Mary is someone I know and trust
Yes, I believe, I'll go see her again
I plan on visiting Mary again in the future
Nobody has to guess that baby can't be blessed
It's clear that she is dealing with her own issues and cannot be saved by anyone else
'Til she finally sees that she's like all the rest
She needs to come to terms with the fact that she is not above or different from anyone else
With her fog, her amphetamines and her pearls
She masks her problems with drugs and pretense
It was rainin' from the first I was dyin' of thirst So I came in here
I was thirsty and needed shelter, which is why I came here during the rain
And your longtime curse Hurts but what's worse Is this pain in here? I can't stay in here, ain't it clear?
Your emotional wounds and issues are difficult to handle, and I cannot remain in this situation any longer
I just can't fit Yes, I believe it's time for us to quit
It's clear that we are not meant to be together and it's best that we part ways
When we meet again, introduced as friends Please don't let on that you knew me when
If we happen to cross paths again in the future, let's pretend we don't have a history and just be acquaintances
I was hungry and it was your world
When I was struggling and needed support, I relied on you and your world
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
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.