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)
Long Dark Road
The Hollies Lyrics
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The Hollies
(Tony Hicks - Kenny Lynch)
It's over, well over
In my mind and in my heart
It's over, well over
But then again, it didn't have a good start
It could have been all I asked
It's over, well over
Yes, there it flows away a distant past
Now it's a long, dark road
Yes, it's a long, dark road
And you know I loved you
Yes, you know I loved you
Now it's a long, dark road
Yes, it's a long, dark road
And you know I loved you
Yes, you know I loved you
It's over, well over
And we can't revive what's passed
It's gone now, moved on now,
But then again, it didn't have a chance to last
(No, no, no, a chance to last)
Now it's a long, dark road
Yes, it's a long, dark road
Now it's a long, dark road
Yes, it's a long, dark road
Now it's a long, dark road
Yes, it's a long, dark road
Now it's a long, dark road
Yes, it's a long, dark road
Now it's a long, dark road
Yes, it's a long, dark road
"Long Dark Road" is a song about the end of a relationship that never had a chance to flourish. The singer's love for the other person is apparent, but unfortunately, the end has come. The song speaks to the sadness that comes with this loss, and the difficult journey that lies ahead.
The lyrics suggest that the relationship didn't start off on the right foot, which could be the reason for the inevitable end. The other person may have tried to sell the idea of a future together, but in the end, it all fell apart. The singer makes it clear that the love they shared is not in question, but the realization that it's over is something that can't be ignored.
The chorus repeats the line "Now it's a long, dark road" several times, emphasizing the idea that moving on from this relationship will be a difficult and lonely journey. Despite the sadness that comes with the end of a relationship, the song ends on a note of acceptance. The singer acknowledges that it's over and it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
It's over, well over
The relationship has ended and it's unquestionably over
In my mind and in my heart
It's clear to me emotionally and logically that it's over
But then again, it didn't have a good start
The relationship started poorly and that's probably why it didn't last
You'd tell me, try to sell me
You would try to convince me that it was a good relationship, but I didn't always believe you
It could have been all I asked
You might have been right, that it could have been a great relationship, but it wasn't
Yes, there it flows away a distant past
The memory and emotional attachment to the relationship fades into a distant past
Now it's a long, dark road
Moving on from the relationship feels like a dark, uncertain path
And you know I loved you
I want you to know that I truly loved you during our relationship
And we can't revive what's passed
There is no going back to the way things were, the relationship is over for good
But then again, it didn't have a chance to last
The relationship was doomed from the start and really never had a chance to survive
Now it's a long, dark road
The emptiness and loneliness of the aftermath of the breakup continues to be daunting
Yes, it's a long, dark road
There is no shortcut or easy solution to getting over the breakup
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KENNY LYNCH, 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.