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)
Lady Please
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Them that will and them that won`t
I`ve been trying to get you for a long time
For a long time
When our eyes meet at each different place
How I got to know your face
Think that I have loved you for a long time
[Chorus]
Lady please I`m not a man of many words you see
If you lie with me, you won`t sleep
Lady please if in the future there`s some other man
I will understand and I won`t weep
As our bodies fill my lonely room
A room that once was filled with gloom
Know that I will love you for a long time
For a long time
For a long time
[Chorus]
As the morning sun lights up our bed
You are there to stroke my head
Know I`m going to love you for a long time
For a long time
Lady please
Lady please
Lady please
The Hollies's song Lady Please is a plea to a woman to become intimate with the singer. The lyrics suggest that he has been trying to pursue her for a long time, and that he has been attracted to her for just as long. He acknowledges that he is not a man of many words and that he may not be as eloquent as other men who may come after him, but that he does genuinely care for her. He assures her that he will not be hurt or angry if she chooses to be with someone else in the future. The singer is clearly infatuated with this woman, and he wants her to know that his feelings are sincere.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as it emphasizes the singer's vulnerability and insecurity when it comes to his feelings for this woman. He pleads with her to understand that he is not a smooth-talking ladies' man, but that he is deeply sincere in his desire for her. He tells her that if she chooses to sleep with him, she will not regret it, but that he will also not be holding her back if she chooses to move on to someone else.
Overall, Lady Please is a touching and heartfelt song that captures the complexity of human emotions when it comes to love and relationships. The singer's vulnerability and honesty are admirable, and his willingness to let the woman make her own decisions and follow her heart is truly admirable.
Line by Line Meaning
Well there`s them that do and them that don`t
Some people take action while others don't.
Them that will and them that won`t
Some people are willing to do something while others are not.
I`ve been trying to get you for a long time
I have been putting in effort to have you for a considerable amount of time.
For a long time
I have been trying to get you for a significant period.
When our eyes meet at each different place
Every time we come across each other in different locations and our eyes meet.
How I got to know your face
I became familiar with your face through repeated encounters.
Think that I have loved you for a long time
I believe that I have had feelings of love towards you for a considerable time.
Lady please I`m not a man of many words you see
I am not someone who speaks very much, lady.
If you lie with me, you won`t sleep
If you choose to stay with me, you may not get much sleep.
Lady please if in the future there`s some other man
Lady, in case there is another man in your future.
I will understand and I won`t weep
I will be understanding and won't cry if you choose someone else.
As our bodies fill my lonely room
As we spend time together in my previously lonely room.
A room that once was filled with gloom
My room used to be filled with sadness before you came into my life.
Know that I will love you for a long time
Be aware that my feelings of love towards you will continue for an extended period.
For a long time
My love for you will persist for a significant duration.
As the morning sun lights up our bed
When the morning sun shines on our bed.
You are there to stroke my head
You are present to comfort me by caressing my head.
Know I`m going to love you for a long time
Keep in mind that I will continue to love you for a considerable length of time.
For a long time
My love for you will carry on for a significant period.
Lady please
Lady, I implore you.
Lady please
Lady, I beg of you.
Lady please
Lady, I plead with you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TONY HICKS
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.