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)
Keep Off That Friend Of Mine
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's not for you, ah-ah-ah
He just wants to spin you a line, ah-ah-ah
There's nothin' new ah-ah-ah
Just one thought on his mind
You know it's that kind you shoulda
Known when you met him you must be blind
That girl was mine in every way
People couldn't part us if they tried
Now she's turned her head away
She's lost her smile she's not so gay
Won't you come back to my side
Keep off of that friend of mine, ah-ah-ah
He's not for you, ah-ah-ah
He just wants to spin you a line, ah-ah-ah
There's nothin' new ah-ah-ah
Just one thought on his mind
You know it's that kind you shoulda
Known when you met him you must be blind
Seems like only yesterday
That girl was mine in every way
People couldn't part us if they tried
Now she's turned her head away
She's lost her smile she's not so gay
Won't you come back to my side
Keep off of that friend of mine
Keep off of that friend of mine
Keep off of that friend of mine
Keep off of that friend of mine
The Hollies's song Keep Off That Friend Of Mine is a cautionary tale about a man warning a woman to stay away from his friend because he knows his friend's true intentions. The man tells the woman that his friend only wants to "spin her a line", meaning that he doesn't have genuine intentions and is just trying to sweet talk her. The man believes that his friend is not the right person for her and warns her to stay away from him. However, the woman seems to have already fallen under the spell of the man's friend, and has lost her smile and turned her head away from the man who is singing the song. The man implores her to come back to his side and avoid falling for his manipulative friend.
The lyrics of the song bring to light the universal experience of people giving into temptation and falling for the wrong person, despite their friends' warnings. The song is a reminder to be cautious, listen to your instincts, and make wise decisions when it comes to choosing romantic partners.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep off of that friend of mine, ah-ah-ah
Stay away from my friend, he's not for you
He's not for you, ah-ah-ah
He's not interested in anything serious with you
He just wants to spin you a line, ah-ah-ah
He only wants to impress you with lies
There's nothin' new ah-ah-ah
He uses the same tactics on every girl
Just one thought on his mind
He's only thinking about one thing - physical attraction
You know it's that kind you shoulda
You should have known the kind of person he was
Known when you met him you must be blind
If you didn't realize it before, you must not have been paying attention
Seems like only yesterday
It feels like it was just recently
That girl was mine in every way
I used to be in a serious relationship with her
People couldn't part us if they tried
We were inseparable at one point
Now she's turned her head away
She's no longer interested in me
She's lost her smile she's not so gay
She's no longer happy like she used to be
Won't you come back to my side
I want her to come back to me
Keep off of that friend of mine
I'm warning you again to stay away from my friend
Keep off of that friend of mine
I'm repeating my warning
Keep off of that friend of mine
One more time, stay away from my friend
Keep off of that friend of mine
Final warning to keep your distance from my friend
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, GRAHAM NASH, TONY HICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Wolfhoundersful
Keep off of that friend of mine, ah-ah-ah
He's not for you, ah-ah-ah
He just wants to spin you a line, ah-ah-ah
There's nothin' new ah-ah-ah
Just one thought on his mind
You know it's that kind you shoulda
Known when you met him you must be blind
Seems like only yesterday
That girl was mine in every way
People couldn't part us if they tried
Now she's turned her head away
She's lost her smile she's not so gay
Won't you come back to my side
Keep off of that friend of mine, ah-ah-ah
He's not for you, ah-ah-ah
He just wants to spin you a line, ah-ah-ah
There's nothin' new ah-ah-ah
Just one thought on his mind
You know it's that kind you shoulda
Known when you met him you must be blind
Seems like only yesterday
That girl was mine in every way
People couldn't part us if they tried
Now she's turned her head away
She's lost her smile she's not so gay
Won't you come back to my side
Keep off of that friend of mine [4x]
@carrieanne1967
Great Rebecca - One of my favourite Hollies songs and such lovely pictures - Thank You !!!
@leitocollado4800
x2
@eichanstarr
one of my favourite B-sides!! thanks!! : )
@Poopaloo55
My first 45 bought with my own pocket money. I played this almost as often as the A side (wore out both sides!). I was 9 and had a serious crush on Allan already...actually it never went away!
@ManzannaSaotome43
Oh Allan's voice 😍
@ne007ne
morning, one of my favorite 60`s hollies :)
@veraluciasc
What video legal! very nice! I love the photos. Thanks for posting.
@carollindley2058
Another song by the Hollies l've never heard before. I will" keep of of that friend of yours" don't worry.....
@leitocollado4800
Once I tried to play it on the guitar, one of the most difficult songs in history, incredible arrangements xD
@Asp3891
Love