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)
Let Her Go Down
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
we sailed from England's shore
When we sailed into a raging storm
like I never ever seen before
And all of the crew they were brave men
but the captain he was braver
and he said
"Never mind the ship me boys
Let her go down Swim for your lives
Swim for your children swim for your wives
Let her go down Let her go down
Lost in the open ocean
there was some of the crew and me
while the captain steered our wounded ship
to the bottom of an angry sea
And with his dying breath
we all heard him say
"It's just the fortune of sailor"
and he said
"Never mind the ship me boys
There's none of us here can save her"
Let her go down Swim for your lives
Swim for your children swim for your wives
Let her go down Let her go down
He wondered if his shipmates
were ready to just pray and give in
so he called their names out one by one
but there was no one else around but him
He saw the ship go down the fading light
and he knew that they could have saved her
He said
"The captain lied when the captain cried
'There's none of us here can save her' "
Let her go down Swim for your lives
Swim for your children swim for your wives
Let her go down Let her go down
Swim for your lives
Swim for your children swim for your wives
Let her go down Let her go down
Swim for your lives
The Hollies's song "Let Her Go Down" is a story of a group of sailors who set sail from England's shore in October and encounter a raging storm like they've never seen before. Despite the bravery of the crew, the captain knows that they cannot save the ship and instructs them to abandon it and swim for their lives, their children, and their wives.
As the ship sinks, the captain steers it to the bottom of the sea, sacrificing his life for his crew. The remaining sailors watch as their shipmates drown and the ship disappears into the fading light. The singer questions the captain's decision to let the ship go down and believes that they could have saved her. He also implies that the captain lied when he said none of them could save the ship.
The lyrics of the song convey a sense of terror and desperate action that is expected in such a situation. The captain's sacrifice for his crew and the singer's questioning of his leadership abilities are poignant elements that make the song memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometime in October
At some point during the month of October
we sailed from England's shore
We departed from the shores of England on our vessel
When we sailed into a raging storm
As we were sailing, we entered into a severe storm
like I never ever seen before
The storm was unlike anything I had ever witnessed
And all of the crew they were brave men
Every member of the crew was courageous
but the captain he was braver
However, the captain stood out as even more courageous
and he said
The captain spoke the following words
"Never mind the ship me boys
"Do not worry about the ship, my fellow shipmates
There's none of us here can save her"
There is none amongst us who can salvage the vessel
Let her go down Swim for your lives
Abandon the ship and save yourselves by swimming
Swim for your children swim for your wives
Swim for the ones you love, particularly your kids and spouse
Lost in the open ocean
We found ourselves adrift in the vast ocean
there was some of the crew and me
Some members of the crew, together with me, was present
while the captain steered our wounded ship
Amidst all this, the captain guided our damaged ship
to the bottom of an angry sea
Until it eventually sank to the depths of an angry sea
And with his dying breath
As he was taking his final breaths
we all heard him say
He said these words that we all heard
"It's just the fortune of sailor"
"This is just the luck of a sailor"
He wondered if his shipmates
He questioned whether his fellow crew members
were ready to just pray and give in
Were ready to just give up and hope for divine intervention
so he called their names out one by one
So he called out each crew member's name individually
but there was no one else around but him
However, no one responded as there was no one else present
He saw the ship go down the fading light
He observed the ship as it sank into the depths, as daylight was fading
and he knew that they could have saved her
He realized that together they could have salvaged the ship
He said
He expressed the following words
"The captain lied when the captain cried
"The captain spoke falsely when he said
'There's none of us here can save her' "
"That none of us present can rescue the ship"
Swim for your lives
Swim for your lives
Swim for your children swim for your wives
Swim for your loved ones, especially your children and spouse
Let her go down Let her go down
The ship is doomed and should be left to sink
Contributed by Asher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jackophil
I've just discovered this gem; I'd never heard it before. They kept it well hidden. A superb vocal by Mr. Clarke, a great Tony Hicks guitar riff, wonderful harmony singing,, and the usual commanding drumming from Mr. Elliott.. I listened to the Steeleye Span version and enjoyed it, but I prefer this interpretation. I admit however that for me The Hollies can do no wrong. I would love to have heard Clarkey sing it live.
veraluciasc
Muito bom, como tudo que os Hollies fazem e a voz linda de Allan Clarke, obrigada por postar.
ne007ne
10 out of 10 brill group underated in 70s till now
David Purcell
The other B side from this era, Musical Pictures, was also a little known gem. I wish they could have stayed together for another album.
kallioney
Love this version, I like Steeleye 's rendering too, but The Hollies is the better version.
Kelda Ogg
I tear up every time I hear this song. Makes me think of the sinking of the Pride of Baltimore in 1986.
dissy diss
brilliant bit of folk by the hollies ty for this clip
Nancy Benefiel
I've loved the Steeleye Span version for decades but this is good too
b44ts
As a Hollies fan I would have to say the Steeleye span is probably the best version because of its simplicity. However, I think there is room in the world for both versions and I will not be cutting my throat over it ({+ )
Fred Cooper
Only released on the B side of Stop in the Name of Love in Australia. Better than most of the tracks they did with Nash in 1983; didn't deserve its obscurity.