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)
Laughter Turns to Tears
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silence in the air
Tonight those telltale signs are everywhere
As you lay beside her talking in your dreams
The game is up and laughter turns to tears
Every time you phone her with a dumb excuse
She starts to think that she's outgrown her use
The penny drops and laughter turns to tears
Do you think she's crazy?
Don't you think she knows?
Do you think she's taken in?
Don't you think it shows?
When laughter turns to tears
Laughter turns to tears
You can send her roses
Say she's looking great
You can talk of love but it may be too late
You may think she's joking as her laughter teems
But with tears and laughter turns to screams
Do you think she's crazy?
Don't you think she knows?
Do you think she's taken in?
Don't you think it shows?
Now it won't be easy
Finding words to say
How you really feel inside
You take the game away
When laughter turns to tears
Laughter turns to tears
One day it's gonna shake you up
Take you by surprise
Someday it's gonna wake you up
Tears in your eyes
When laughter turns to tears
Laughter turns to tears
When laughter turns to tears
Laughter turns to tears
In "Laughter Turns to Tears," by The Hollies, the singer explores the theme of infidelity and its toll on a relationship. The opening lines set a gloomy and foreboding tone, as if the singer has been observing the couple for some time and knows what is happening. The chorus emphasizes the turning point in the relationship, where laughter, which normally signifies happiness, has now turned into tears, symbolizing sadness and distress. The singer describes the man as being in denial about his affair and trying to cover it up by making up excuses and working late. The woman is aware of the situation but is trying to hold on to her relationship despite the signs that her partner is being unfaithful.
The lyrics also make use of rhetorical questions, indicating the woman's suspicion about her partner's infidelity. She knows that she is being taken for granted and that her partner is playing her for a fool. The last verse implies that the man will eventually realize the error of his ways, and it will be too late, just like the woman's laughter has now turned into screams. The song describes a familiar and universal experience, one that is painful and challenging but has been experienced by many people.
Line by Line Meaning
Make up on your shoulder
You have lipstick on your clothes, showing that you have been with someone else.
Silence in the air
There is a tension between you and your partner, and things are not okay.
Tonight those telltale signs are everywhere
There are obvious signs that suggest that your partner is aware of your infidelity, and the situation is about to blow up.
As you lay beside her talking in your dreams
Even in your subconscious, you are still thinking about the other woman, implying that you are not content in your current relationship.
The game is up and laughter turns to tears
Your deception has now caught up with you, and your partner's response has shifted from amusement to sadness.
Every time you phone her with a dumb excuse
You keep making flimsy excuses when you leave your partner, which is causing her to become skeptical of your actions.
She starts to think that she's outgrown her use
Your partner is beginning to feel as though you are taking advantage of her and no longer value her presence in your life.
You'll be home by midnight working late it seems
You always claim that you are working late, which is a common cover-up excuse for infidelity.
The penny drops and laughter turns to tears
Your partner has finally realized what is going on, and her initial amusement has now devolved into tears of hurt and betrayal.
Do you think she's crazy?
You are questioning your partner's sanity for suspecting you of infidelity.
Don't you think she knows?
You are asking yourself if your partner is aware of your unfaithfulness.
Do you think she's taken in?
You are questioning whether your partner is fully aware of what is happening.
Don't you think it shows?
You are wondering if your behavior gives away your infidelity without your partner realizing it.
You can send her roses
You can buy your partner gifts to try and make up for your actions.
Say she's looking great
You can provide compliments to try to cheer up your partner and distract from the issue at hand.
You can talk of love but it may be too late
You may try to profess your love, but it may not be enough to fix the harm you have caused.
You may think she's joking as her laughter teems
Your partner may laugh and try to downplay the situation, but underneath this veneer, she is hurting deeply.
But with tears and laughter turns to screams
As your partner processes your betrayal, her response will escalate from sadness and hurt to anger and yelling.
Now it won't be easy
You understand that making things right with your partner will not be a simple task.
Finding words to say
You will need to figure out how to communicate with your partner and express your regret for your actions.
How you really feel inside
You need to be honest with your partner about your emotions and motivations for cheating.
You take the game away
You must stop playing games with your partner and fully commit to being honest and faithful.
One day it's gonna shake you up
One day, you will face the consequences for your infidelity.
Take you by surprise
These repercussions will be unexpected and potentially devastating.
Someday it's gonna wake you up
Your cheating will catch up with you eventually, and you will be forced to confront the reality of your actions.
Tears in your eyes
As you face the fallout of your infidelity, you will feel guilty and saddened by the hurt you have caused.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: WILL BIRCH, WILLIAM MURRAY BREMNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diana Taylor
I have only discovered recently the vast numbers of songs by the Hollies, knew some of them before, but not most. Allan's voice is just exceptional, from the beginning to when he retired. Every genre, he masters and well. Love that voice, and love this song and you are right, it is brilliant!
Barry Hughes
The greatest, most prolific, most underrated group ever ...bar none....Followed them since 63......no one sang as good as them live. The only item on my bucket list.....to meet Allan Clarke....."the voice of the Hollies."
MrVampiredog
GREAT GROUP.MAN WITHOUT A HEART.
TonyHickschick
Love this song
tf2whackyengineer
Is that your wife in the pictures? If so, you're a lucky man.
Jackophil
Yes, thank you. We celebrate our 40th Anniversary in July. She has been dragged to see The Hollies many times.
Scott Fraizer
I think Bernie Calvert played bass sometime after Terry Sylvester replaced Graham Nash.
L G
Correct. Much later there was some kind of argument and both Bernie and Terry left....they were later present at the RRHOF inauguration of the Hollies as a Band.
GoldenOldiesOn45RPM
Cover version of a song by Billy Bremner ( Rockpile guitarist )
Олег Кашлаков
Who are the people on photos?